MLB Player News

Perez will continue getting more defensive rest than he has in previous seasons in an effort to avoid a late-season offensive slump, Rustin Dodd of The Kansas City Star reports.

Perez is on pace to catch 1,083 innings in 2017, his fewest since dealing with a knee injury in 2012. With the Royals now thinking a playoff berth is possible, manager Ned Yost wants to ensure Perez's bat is not suffering down the stretch -- like it has in recent years -- due to the stress of catching. "It takes a wear and tear," Yost said of the position. "Especially somebody that's as big and physical as he is. There's benefits to just trying to keep him fresh." Luckily for owners of the 27-year-old, Perez has already logged a career-high 10 starts as the DH, so it doesn't appear his plate appearances will suffer much.

Narvaez went 1-for-1 with a two-run homer and a walk Sunday against the Mariners.

Narvaez doubled his career home run total with his first of the season off righty Andrew Moore. The 25-year-old catcher has just four extra-base hits in 48 games, so he's not in the lineup for his bat. In fact, he was lifted for a pinch hitter in the sixth inning despite his productive day at the plate.

Gomes is out of the lineup Sunday against the Athletics, Paul Hoynes of Cleveland.com reports.

Gomes will hit the bench following a string of six consecutive starts that dates back to before the All-Star break, paving the way for Roberto Perez to enter the starting nine. While Gomes recorded just two hits during that six-game stretch and is batting a woeful .219 for the season, he still looks set to see the bulk of the starts behind the dish.

Perez is out of the lineup Sunday against the Rangers, 610 Sports Radio Kansas City reports.

After participating in the All-Star Game and going 0-for-8 while starting behind the plate in the first two games of the series, Perez will receive a breather Sunday. Drew Butera spells him behind the plate, catching for starting pitcher Ian Kennedy.

Sanchez is out of the lineup for the first game of Sunday's doubleheader with the Red Sox.

After a busy break in which he participated in the Home Run Derby in addition to making his first All-Star appearance, Sanchez started the Yankees' first two games of the second half. He'll finally get a breather for the front end of the doubleheader, but it's expected that Sanchez will be back behind the plate for the nightcap. Austin Romine draws the start at catcher for the matinee.

Vazquez is out of the lineup for the first game of the Red Sox's doubleheader with the Yankees on Sunday, Chad Jennings of the Boston Herald reports.

The Red Sox are presumably saving Vazquez for the nightcap, during which he'll catch left-hander David Price. Sandy Leon will receive the nod behind the plate for Game 1.

Vazquez is out of the lineup for Saturday's game against the Yankees, Scott Lauber of ESPN.com reports.

Vazquez will take a seat for Saturday's afternoon contest after going 1-for-3 Friday night. In his place, Sandy Leon will set up behind the plate and bat eighth in the order. With a doubleheader on tap for Sunday, Vazquez will likely start Game 1 while Leon takes on the duties in Game 2.

Sanchez went 2-for-4 with a homer and three RBI on Friday against the Red Sox.

Sanchez's 14th bomb of the year gave the Yankees a one-run lead in the fifth inning of a game they'd go on to lose. He's followed up his amazing 2016 season with an outstanding .280/.362/.505 slash line, making him one of a very few elite options at catcher.

Perez slashed a dismal .178/.264/.252 in 34 games prior to the All-Star break.

The backup catcher has had a rough season, one in which he entered with a chance to take on a larger role. Outside of a cheap play in daily leagues when Yan Gomes needs a rest, Perez should not be rostered.

Thaiss was promoted to Double-A Mobile on Tuesday, Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register reports.

The 2016 first-round pick will move up to the next level of the minor leagues after 84 games with High-A Inland Empire this season. During 385 plate appearances in 2017, Thaiss has batted .265/.353/.399 with eight home runs and 48 RBI. Although he hasn't been overly impressive, especially in terms of power at the plate, the Angels want to give him a chance to work on his game at a higher level.