MLB Player News

Angels catcher Carlos Perez is back in the lineup, batting eighth and starting behind the plate. 

While Perez's numbers over the whole season are not great, as he's hitting for a .246/.296/.338 slash line, he's been on fire in September. This month, he's hitting .372 with seven runs scored. He replaces Chris Iannetta in the starting lineup.

Rays catcher Curt Casali (hamstring) has not progressed enough to set a return date yet, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. 

Casali did add that he hopes to play again in 2015 and that he's been able to hit and catch, but this is still discouraging news. There are only two weeks left in the season, you'd think the Rays would be able to determine a timetable if he was less than a week from returning.

If he doesn't come back, he'll be ending a season in which he slugged a surprising .594, albeit in just 113 plate appearances.

Tigers catcher James McCann won't be catching anything but some pine to begin Game 1 of the doubleheader Monday against the White Sox.

After starting Sunday, McCann will sit for the first contest with Bryan Holaday taking his place behind the plate. It seems likely that McCann will start the nightcap.

Astros catcher Max Stassi hit a pinch-hit home run in a 10-6 win over the A's on Saturday.

Stassi has only gotten two starts for the Astros, but he's done well in his pinch-hit appearances. The youngster has only recorded nine at-bats this season and he'll be lucky to reach 20, simply due to the fact they need to give at-bats to Hank Conger and Jason Castro. Keep an eye on him in a couple of years though.

Angels catcher Carlos Perez is not in the lineup for Game 2 of Saturday's doubleheader with the Twins, Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register reports.

Chris Iannetta will catch for Garrett Richards in the nightcap, as Perez sits after going 2-for-4 in Game 1.

Tigers catcher James McCann is out of the lineup Saturday against the Royals.

It looks to be just a typical off day for McCann after he started the Tigers' previous four games. Alex Avila will enter the lineup as the catcher for lefty Matt Boyd.

Indians catcher Roberto Perez went 2 for 3 with two runs scored in Friday's win over the White Sox. The lightly-used Perez reached base three times on the evening, providing two singles and a hit by pitch.

Perez has supplied a .351 on-base percentage on the season, but he's not a serious threat to cut into Yan Gomes' playing time behind the dish.

Royals catcher Salvador Perez was 3 for 5 with a two-run home run in a losing effort against the Tigers on Friday night.

A huge hit, Perez erased a 3-1 Tigers lead with a two-out, two-run home run in the ninth inning. Unfortunately, after the Royals took the lead in the 12th inning, Greg Holland gave up a pair of runs in the bottom of the frame to fuel a walk-off Tigers' win. Perez has provided solid numbers from the catcher slot all season with 20 home runs and 66 RBI to go with a respectable .258 average.

Rays catcher Curt Casali (hamstring) hit in simulated games Thursday and could take on live batting practice soon, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

There are less than two weeks remaining in the season, so it's unlikely Casali returns in time for him to get significant at-bats. A week of action might be a reasonable expectation for the remainder of the season.

Red Sox catcher Christian Vazquez (elbow) has reported to Florida for the Fall Instructional League, which runs from Sept. 22 through Oct. 13, MassLive.com reports. The 25-year-old catcher will continue a throwing program, perform some isolated non-throwing catching drills, and serve as a designated hitter.

The Red Sox are expecting Vazquez, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery, to be fully ready for spring training next year. After the instructional league, he'll continue with a normal offseason program to get his arm strong and then report to winter ball in Puerto Rico.