MLB Player News

Sanchez reached base four times, drove in three runs and scored once in the Yankees' 12-1 win over the Marlins on Monday.

Sanchez's 2-for-36 start to the season through the Yankees' first 12 games now seems to be a distant memory, as the backstop has reached base at a .474 clip in his subsequent four appearances while homering twice and driving in 10 runs. The three-RBI night brings Sanchez's total to 13 for the season, putting him above Francisco Cervelli and Yadier Molina for the MLB lead among catchers.

Maile is 6-for-15 with four RBI and a stolen base in four games this season.

Maile has seen few at-bats, but he's made the most of his playing time, batting .400 in his first four games. He currently sits behind Russell Martin on the depth chart, which seems unlikely to change barring an injury. At this point, the 27-year-old backstop possesses little fantasy value, as he'll likely only see the field when Martin needs a day off.

Sanchez was traded to the Rangers on Monday for a player to be named later or cash considerations.

Sanchez will report to Triple-A Round Rock on Wednesday. The 29-year-old backstop spent the majority of 2017 with Triple-A Salt Lake, hitting .272/.355/.374 with four home runs in 284 plate appearances. He should provide organizational catching depth for the Rangers.

Perez (knee) went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in his first rehab appearance for Double-A Northwest Arkansas on Sunday.

Perez started at catcher and played only four innings, so he'll likely need to play a full game or two behind the plate during his rehab assignment before the Royals are comfortable activating him and reinserting him as their everyday backstop. While Perez has spent the entire season on the 10-day disabled list, the Royals have gotten little production out of the two catchers on their active roster, Drew Butera and Cameron Gallagher. The duo has combined for eight hits -- no home runs -- in 43 at-bats (.186 average).

Mejia's transition to the outfield is a work in progress, The Athletic reports.

Mejia has played left field twice in his first seven games for Triple-A Columbus this season. The Indians are reluctant to call him up until they feel more comfortable with him in the outfield, which may take some time. He may not be up with the big club until September, barring injuries to the Indians' primary catchers, Yan Gomes and Robert Perez.

Perez (knee) will begin his rehab assignment with Double-A Northwest Arkansas on Sunday, Maria Torres of The Kansas City Star reports.

He will be deployed as the catcher for three-to-five innings and will then be the designated hitter the next day. The Royals plan to take things day by day, as his knee allows. He could return to the big leagues before the end of April.

Maldonado is out of Saturday's lineup against the Royals, 610 Sports Radio Kansas City reports.

He will sit for the fifth time in 16 games this season. Rene Rivera will start behind the dish and hit ninth. Maldonado is hitting .256/.341/.308 with a 13.6 percent strikeout rate in 39 at-bats.

McCann went 2-for-3 with three RBI and his first home run of the season in Friday's loss to the Yankees.

McCann has been scuffling to start the season, as even after the two-hit night he's still hitting just .189. Perhaps the good performance will get him going. McCann hit a career-high 13 home runs last year, and fantasy owners are hoping he can eclipse that mark this season with more regular playing time now that Alex Avila is gone.

Vazquez is not in the starting nine Saturday against Baltimore, Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports reports.

Vazquez heads back to the bench after going 0-for-3 with a walk during Friday's victory to start the series against the Orioles. In his place, Sandy Leon will catch and bat seventh.

Manager Ned Yost said that Perez (knee) is currently experiencing no pain and could begin a rehab assignment as soon as this weekend, Rustin Dodd of The Athletic reports.

Perez has been out since the beginning of the regular season after suffering a Grade 2 MCL tear on the eve of Opening Day. At the time of his injury an initial timetable put him about 4-to-6 weeks away from returning to the big leagues, though it appears that he could be back in action a little sooner, especially if he's able to begin a rehab assignment this weekend. In his absence, Drew Butera and Cameron Gallagher continue to split time behind the plate.