MLB Player News

McCann exited Monday's game after rolling his right ankle on a play at first base, Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press.

McCann was able to limp off the field after stumbling on first base and injuring his ankle, but was unable to continue and was replaced by Jarrod Saltalamacchia. The injury was diagnosed as a sprained ankle, and McCann should be considered day-to-day.

Vazquez (elbow) could be activated when his 20-day rehabilitation assignment runs its course, the Providence Journal reports. His rehab assignment at Triple-A Pawtucket can last until Apr. 28. "Everything points to [the 20-day rehab timeline] being more than enough time for him right now," manager John Farrell said.

Vazquez caught the first two games of the season before serving as the PawSox's designated hitter Sunday when he had three hits. Given some of the rocky starts Boston's starters have delivered, having Vazquez, noted for his advanced game-calling and ability to control the running game, would improve the starters' results.

Nicholas' contract was purchased Sunday from Triple-A Round Rock, Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

It's the first call to the big leagues for Nicholas, who is in line to serve as the backup at catcher behind Bryan Holaday after regular starter Robinson Chirinos (forearm) was placed on the 60-day DL and ruled out for 10-to-14 weeks. With the Rangers fancying themselves as contenders this season, it seems likely the team will explore the trade market as a means of adding depth at catcher, and any acquisition would likely result in Nicholas immediately heading back to the minors. The 27-year-old slashed .268/.314./.412 and hit 12 homers over 403 at-bats at Round Rock last season.

Perez is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rangers, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Perez is just getting a routine maintenance day after he was behind the plate for games Friday and Saturday, paving the way for backup Geovany Soto to make his second start of the season. Over 14 plate appearances to date, Perez has recorded just one hit.

Gomes is out of the lineup Sunday against the White Sox.

Gomes had been behind the plate in the Tribe's preceding six games, so manager Terry Francona will look to give him a break in Sunday's matinee. Backup Roberto Perez will slot in at catcher for starting pitcher Josh Tomlin on Sunday while batting seventh in the order.

Casali will be behind the plate for Sunday's matchup with the Orioles, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

It's Casali's second start in a row and fourth in the Rays' six games, as he seems to have established himself as manager Kevin Cash's preferred option at catcher ahead of Hank Conger. As is tradition for the Rays, both catchers are more defensive-oriented than assets with the bat, so Casali shouldn't be expected to make waves in the fantasy realm even if retains the regular starting job throughout the campaign.

Gomes went 1-for-4 with a solo homer in Saturday's 7-3 loss to the White Sox.

The five-year veteran backstop launched his first long ball of the season in the seventh inning of Chris Sale. Gomes has gotten off to a solid start in 2016, with hits in three of the first four games. With a clear-cut starting role, it remains to be seen if he can build on a somewhat disappointing 2015.

McCann was 1-for-4 with a two-run single in Saturday's 8-4 loss to the Yankees.

The Tigers catcher now has hits in back-to-back games, after going 0-for-5 in his first game of the season on Tuesday versus the Marlins. McCann figures to once again receive plenty of starts this season against left-handed pitching, which he touched up for a .320 average over 97 at-bats in 2015.

Rodriguez went 1-for-3 with a run, two RBI and two strikeouts in Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre's 7-2 victory over Rochester on Friday.

Rodriguez went just 2-for-15 with one RBI and one run this spring, which wasn't too far off his 2015 campaign with Double-A Trenton and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, when he accumulated a combined .170 average over 176 at-bats. A promotion to the majors this year seems unlikely as long as he continues to bat below the Mendoza Line.

Vazquez (elbow) caught all nine innings in Triple-A Pawtucket's season opener Friday. He shepherded three pitchers through a three-hit shutout.

At the plate, Vazquez reached base safely three times with a double and two walks, so overall it was an encouraging night for the catcher coming back from last year's Tommy John surgery. Let's keep in mind that Vazquez is on a rehab assignment and has not yet been assigned to the minors. When his 20-day rehab stint is over, the organization may officially send him down to Pawtucket, but he's expected to get back up to Boston at some point during the season. Coming off the elbow surgery, Vazquez will need to get to the point where he can catch games on consecutive days before the Red Sox trust him as the lead catcher.