MLB Player News

Perez went 1-for-3 with a walk and a two-run home run in Thursday's 5-4 loss to the White Sox.

Manager Mike Scioscia gave the majority of his regulars the night off after being eliminated from playoff contention Wednesday, which afforded Perez the opportunity to make his first start since joining the majors Sept. 1. It was the 26-year-old's first homer of the 2017 campaign. He should return to the bench Friday in favor of Martin Maldonado.

Perez was removed from Thursday's game with left groin soreness.

His status for the final series of the season is up in the air. Perez has been banged up throughout the second half, even requiring a DL stint for an intercostal strain in August, but he still ranks fifth among all catchers in games played this season (129) despite the missed time.

Maldonado is out of the lineup against Chicago on Thursday, Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register reports.

Maldonado retreats to the bench following four straight starts behind the plate, going 5-for-13 with a pair of doubles during that span. In his place, Carlos Perez will handle the catching duties.

Nicholas went 0-for-3 with a strikeout in Wednesday's 12-2 loss to the Astros.

Nicholas was making just his eighth appearance and fifth start of September, during which he's gone 6-for-20 at the dish. With primary backstop Robinson Chirinos sitting out with a hamstring injury Wednesday and likely to be shut down for the season, Nicholas should pick up at least a couple more starts before the season winds down. No. 3 catcher A.J. Jimenez should also receive a turn behind the plate.

Perez is out of the lineup Wednesday against the Tigers, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

As expected, Perez will get the night off as the Royals have been knocked out of playoff contention. Drew Butera will start behind the dish and hit ninth. After Wednesday's night off, the Royals are expected to start Perez for the remainder of the 2017 season.

Narvaez (elbow) is in the lineup Wednesday against the Angels.

The club was optimistic that Narvaez wasn't dealing with a major elbow injury, and that indeed was the case as he's ready to return Wednesday. Narvaez has evenly split time behind the dish with Kevan Smith lately, as Narvaez has played 14 games since the start of September. Over said games he's hit .324 with a .878 OPS.

Narvaez has a tender right elbow, Colleen Kane of the Chicago Tribune reports.

The White Sox are hopeful that Narvaez will be able to catch Reynaldo Lopez on Wednesday. If he can't go, Kevan Smith is expected to handle the catching duties.

Perez is expected to sit out Wednesday's game against the Tigers, Josh Vernier of 610 Sports reports.

With the Royals out of playoff contention, manager Ned Yost will reward some of his regular starters with a day off in the final week. Perez, who has a healthy .269/.298/.498 line with 27 homers in 127 games this season, is expected to play in all of the Royals' games following Wednesday's breather.

Gomes is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Twins.

Gomes will take a seat for the second straight contest. He's started 11 of the Indians' 22 games this month, and should continue to share duties with Roberto Perez in the final week.

Vazquez is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Blue Jays, Scott Lauber of ESPN.com reports.

Vazquez will get the day off after starting three of the previous four games behind the dish for Boston, going 3-for-13 (.231) over that span. Sandy Leon will take over as the team's backstop and hit eighth in his place.