MLB Player News

Leon (knee) will start at catcher and bat ninth Sunday against the White Sox, Evan Drellich of CSN New England reports.

Leon hadn't played in any of the Red Sox's previous seven contests while he continued to nurse an inflamed right knee, an injury he first picked up while scoring the game-winning run in a game against the Royals last weekend. While Leon didn't require a trip to the disabled list, his absence prompted the Red Sox to lean on Christian Vazquez heavily behind the plate. Vazquez will get a much-deserved day off Sunday with Leon healthy enough to catch again.

McCann is out of the lineup Sunday against the Orioles.

It's a well-deserved day off for McCann, who had logged catching duties for each of the previous seven games, going 10-for-28 (.357 average) with a home run and four RBI in those contests. The backstop has been on fire since the All-Star break and will continue to hold down a full-time role for the Tigers the rest of the way following the trade of Alex Avila to the Cubs, making McCann an attractive pickup in leagues that start two catchers, if not formats shallower than that. John Hicks will spell McCann in the series finale.

Sanchez is out of the lineup Sunday against the Indians, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Sanchez had served as the Yankees' designated hitter in two of the last three games, but manager Joe Girardi had previously mentioned that he was planning on having the All-Star resume duties behind the plate in the series finale. Instead, Sanchez will be held out for just the second time in the Yankees' last 12 games, though the team hasn't indicated that his unexpected absence is due to any sort of injury. Austin Romine will handle the catching duties Sunday.

Gallagher was recalled from Triple-A Omaha on Sunday.

It's the first big-league promotion for Gallagher, who received the call due to Salvador Perez's (oblique) placement on the 10-day disabled list. The 24-year-old had been enjoying a breakout offensive season at Omaha, with his .294 average representing a 30-plus-point improvement from any of his other marks from his previous six seasons in the minors. It's not expected that Gallagher will receive more than one or two starts per week while Perez remains sidelined, as Drew Butera will likely take on the brunt of the workload behind the plate.

Perez was placed on the 10-day disabled list Sunday with a right intercostal strain.

Perez was removed from Friday's series opener with the Mariners after experiencing pain on the right side of his body, and an MRI on Saturday confirmed that the backstop was dealing with more than a day-to-day issue. The Royals likely won't have a clear timetable for Perez's return until he's able to resume baseball activities, but the DL stint means that he won't be activated until at least Aug. 15. Cam Gallagher was recalled from Triple-A Omaha to provide the Royals with another healthy catcher while Perez is sidelined, but Drew Butera is slated to receive the bulk of the starts behind the plate.

Gomes is out of the lineup Sunday against the Yankees.

Gomes will hit the bench for the second time in the series after going 1-for-14 at the plate over his past five starts. Roberto Perez will handle the catching duties Sunday.

Perez (intercostal) will be placed on the 10-day DL if the Royals' game Saturday does not get rained out, Josh Vernier of 610 Sports reports.

It sounds like a trip to the DL is inevitable for Perez, but the Royals would get no benefit to making the move Saturday if there is no game. Cam Gallagher is already on hand to take his spot on the active roster if the move is made. Vernier reports that the worst-case scenario for Perez would be a four-week absence.

Perez (oblique) is not in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Mariners, Pete Grathoff of the Kansas City Star reports.

Perez was forced from Friday's game in the seventh inning with discomfort in his right side, and manager Ned Yost later acknowledged that there is concern about the injury. An MRI was scheduled for Saturday, the results of which have not yet been disclosed.

Stubbs was promoted to Triple-A Fresno on Saturday, Jake Kaplan of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Stubbs didn't exactly rake with Double-A Corpus Christi, slashing just .236/.324/.331 in 300 plate appearances to begin 2017. However, with Juan Centeno moving up to the big club to replace Evan Gattis (concussion), Stubbs will get his first opportunity with the top minor-league affiliate. His speed at the catcher position makes Stubbs somewhat intriguing in dynasty leagues, but he is a work in progress at the dish, and there are questions about his ability to hold up to the rigors of catching duties.

Nicholas went 1-for-4 with a double and a run scored in Friday's 8-4 loss to the Twins.

Nicholas was making just his second start behind the plate since being recalled from Triple-A Round Rock on July 24. The 29-year-old had initially served as the Rangers' third catcher, but the July 30 trade of Jonathan Lucroy to the Rockies will now lock Nicholas in as the primary backup to Robinson Chirinos. Expect Nicholas to pick up one or two starts per week, unless Chirinos' ongoing offensive struggles eventually prompt manager Jeff Banister to roll with a timeshare at catcher.