MLB Player News

Second baseman Dustin Pedroia and catcher Ryan Hanigan are out of the Red Sox's starting lineup for Sunday's game against Baltimore. 

Pedroia is hitless in his last two games with three strikeouts. He's getting a rest on Sunday. Brock Holt replaces him at second base, leading off. 

Hanigan also gets a day off. Sandy Leon replaces him behind the plate, batting ninth.

Tigers third baseman Nick Castellanos is back in the starting lineup after serving as a pinch-hitter Saturday, while catcher Alex Avila is not in the starting lineup for a second straight day.

Castellanos managed an RBI single in his only at-bat Saturday to extend his hitting streak to six games. He has hit .282/.341/.462 with one home run and four RBI in 39 at-bats.

Avila entered Saturday's blowout loss in the seventh inning to play three innings at first base, just his second career appearance at the position. He has hit .190/.414/.333 in 21 at-bats. James McCann, who is 2 for 15 after going hitless in four at-bats Saturday, is behind the plate for a second straight game.

The Tigers are favorites (-135) against the White Sox Sunday, per VegasInsider.com.

Royals catcher Salvador Perez didn't get the day off Thursday against the Twins, but may receive one over the weekend, manager Ned Yost told reporters, per the Kansas City Star.

Perez is off to a fast start, hitting .364/.382/.667 with a double, three homers, nine RBI, a stolen base and a walk over his first 33 at-bats. When Perez does receive a day of rest, Yost will likely give Erik Kratz a start. Kratz has yet to receive an at-bat this season.

Indians catcher Roberto Perez said he is ready for the everyday role behind the plate with starter Yan Gomes sidelined 6-8 weeks due to a knee injury.

"My mentality hasn't changed," Perez said, per MLB.com. "I always come to the field ready to play. I pretend like I'm going to play that day, so nothing changes."

The Indians appear to have full confidence in Perez, who was lauded for his defense in the minors.

"He's a backup here because we have Yan Gomes," said Sandy Alomar Jr., the Indians' first-base coach and a former major-league catcher. "Anywhere else, he could start.

"He's a good catcher, man. He's prepared. We're in good hands behind the dish until Gomer gets back. It's a big loss for us having Yan Gomes out, but I think Roberto is going to do a good job."

The Indians are also confident Perez can get the job done offensively. Perez hit .305 with eight home runs and 43 RBI in 53 games at Triple-A last season.

"He really kind of turned it around," manager Terry Francona said. "His batting average or whatever, that's not the end all, be all. But the fact that he's a threat when he's hitting is important, because he can drive the ball out of the ballpark. He has improved dramatically."

The Indians don't plan to seek a starting catcher with Yan Gomes sidelined 6-8 weeks due to an MCL sprain, according to FOX Sports reporter Ken Rosenthal. 

The team views Roberto Perez as a capable starter, but the team could look for an upgrade at backup catcher over Brett Hayes.

Royals center fielder Lorenzo Cain might get a day off Wednesday against the Twins, with Jarrod Dyson replacing him in the starting lineup, manager Ned Yost said Monday.

Yost also indicated Erik Kratz might also get a start in place of catcher Salvador Perez on Thursday.

Cain and Perez have started all seven games, including Monday at Minnesota.

Royals catcher Salvador Perez went 2 for 5 at the plate in Kansas City's 9-2 win over the Angels Sunday. 

Perez got things going early with an RBI single in the second, driving home Kendrys Morales. Then, Perez came to the plate in the seventh and ripped the first pitch he saw from Fernando Salas to left center field for his third homer of the year. Perez has a .417/.440/.833 slash line to start the season.

The Indians announced Sunday that after undergoing an MRI, catcher Yan Gomes will miss 6-to-8 weeks with a moderate MCL sprain suffered during a play at the plate during Saturday's game against the Tigers. 

Gomes was placed on the 15-day DL earlier Sunday, but the MRI confirmed a more serious injury. He was 3 for 20 with a double and two runs scored on the young campaign, but was considered to be one of the key pieces for the Indians in their contention for a division crown.

Gomes hit .278 with 21 home runs last season.

Indians catcher Brett Hayes will join the major-league roster Tuesday to serve as the team's backup catcher while Yan Gomes recovers from a knee sprain, MLB.com reports.

Hayes hit just .135/.151/.212 in 52 at-bats with the Royals last season. First baseman Carlos Santana will be the team's emergency catcher Sunday if Roberto Perez can't go the full game.

Tigers designated hitter Victor Martinez is in the starting lineup for Sunday's matchup with the Indians.

Martinez left Saturday's game in the seventh inning after feeling a pinch in his kneecap. However, he is able to fill his regular role for the Tigers and will bat cleanup behind Miguel Cabrera.

Catcher Alex Avila is not in Sunday's lineup; James McCann will get the start behind the plate.

The Tigers are underdogs (+100) against the Indians Sunday.