MLB Player News

Perez went 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI in Sunday's 3-2 loss to the Yankees.

It's actually his first multi-hit game of the season, as injuries and ineffectiveness has made Perez a non-factor at the plate so far in 2016. Hopefully he can use Sunday's performance and the steady playing time he's been seeing with Yan Gomes (shoulder) on the DL to build some momentum on offense.

Leon is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Dodgers, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Leon will get two days of rest before likely returning behind the plate Tuesday. In his absence Sunday, Bryan Holaday will get the start behind the dish, batting seventh for the Red Sox.

Perez is out of the lineup Sunday against the Blue Jays, Josh Vernier of 610 Sports Radio AM reports.

Perez is hitting just 14-for-72 (.194 average) since the All-Star break, suggesting he may be starting to wear down following a tremendous start to the season. Manager Ned Yost may try to build in more off days for the durable catcher, who will sit for the third time in the Royals' last 11 games. Drew Butera will fill in behind the plate Sunday.

Perez will start at catcher and bat ninth in the order Sunday against the Yankees.

After Jonathan Lucroy vetoed a trade from the Brewers to Indians last weekend, the Indians will have to get by with Perez and Chris Gimenez as their catchers until Yan Gomes (shoulder) returns from the DL. Perez appears to be in line to see the bulk of the starts behind the plate, as he'll get the nod Sunday for the third time in four games. That could boost his value in AL-only leagues, but his .050/.245/.050 batting line across 53 plate appearances to date means he shouldn't be viewed as an option yet in most mixed formats.

Sanchez is out of the lineup Sunday against the Indians.

Since being promoted to the big leagues last Tuesday, Sanchez had made four straight starts -- two at catcher and two at DH -- but manager Joe Girardi will give the youngster a rest Sunday. With a 5-for-15 showing through his first four games that has included three doubles and three RBI, Sanchez isn't at risk of losing out on regular at-bats, as Girardi has already committed to phasing out Alex Rodriguez in order to open up more time for the top prospect. Given the weakness of the catcher position this season, Sanchez should make for a sound option heading into the upcoming week, especially in two-catcher formats.

Leon went 2-for-3 with a home run and four RBI in Boston's 9-0 win over the Dodgers on Friday.

Leon not only continued to hit -- the catcher who entered 2016 with a career .187 batting average is sitting at .374 in 107 at-bats this season -- but he also managed zero passed balls while catching knuckleballer Steven Wright. As a matter of fact, Wright never looked better, tossing the first shutout of his career and walking just one. It was a great game called by Leon, who got the start when Ryan Hanigan was scratched due to an ankle injury that eventually landed him on the disabled list, according to Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe. With Hanigan on the DL and Blake Swihart (ankle) nowhere close to returning, Leon will get the bulk of the starts in the immediate future.

Casali was optioned to Triple-A Durham on Thursday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Casali will go down to Durham after the Rays picked up Bobby Wilson off waivers Thursday. It appeared as though Casali had recently lost the starting job to Luke Maile, and the Rays clearly see the 27-year-old as expendable. He could return to the team at some point later on this season, but has only posted a .168 average with seven home runs and 20 RBI on the season.

Sanchez is starting at DH and hitting eighth Wednesday against the Mets.

The Yankees have insisted that they will not buy out the remainder of Alex Rodriguez's contract, but it nonetheless seems that Sanchez could be in line for semi-regular duty at DH now that the Yankees have traded Carlos Beltran. Of course, there is also the possibility that Sanchez just received the call because the Yankees are facing lefty Steven Matz on Wednesday, and he could be sent back down with a run of righties due up next. Either way, Sanchez's catcher eligibility makes him worth a roster spot in two-catcher formats on the chance that he stays up for the rest of the season. He has the most advanced bat in the Yankees' farm system, and should hit enough to profile at any position.

Mejia, 20, is batting .337 with two home runs and 19 RBI in 20 games since being promoted to High-A.

The switch-hitting backstop continues to tear the cover off the ball despite the bump in levels. Between Low-A and High-A he has an absurd 44-game hitting streak. James McOwen had a 45-game hitting streak in 2009 at High-A. Mejia's stock continues to rise as he has shown immense improvement in his approach at the dish in 2016.

Perez went 1-for-4 with a homer in Tuesday's game against the Rays.

Perez's two-run blast in the seventh inning completed the 3-2 comeback victory and gave the catcher 16 homers on the year. Playing in his sixth MLB season, Perez is on now pace to break his career-high mark in home runs (21) while challenging his best years in RBI and total hits.