MLB Player News

Royals catcher Salvador Perez was out of the team's starting lineup Tuesday against the Marlins, but it was not because of any lingering effects from his recent return from a concussion. Manager Ned Yost is just looking to get him a day of rest with the Royals stuck in a tough stretch in the schedule.

"We're 14 days into a stretch where we play 44 games in 44 days," Yost said. "With a day game coming tomorrow, give him a break where you can afford to give him a break."

Perez had appeared in consecutive games since returning from the concussion DL, and he should be back in the lineup Wednesday. He has switched to a hockey-style mask to try to give him some extra protection against stray foul balls, and he will stick with that for the time being. 

Yankees catcher Chris Stewart said his hand is fine and he's just getting a day off so Austin Romine can get some more playing time Tuesday, The Journal News reports. 

Stewart's production and playing time have dropped off recently and Romine has shown improvement. 

"I've talked about playing Ro a little bit more, and you will see him a little bit more," manager Joe Girardi said. "But Stew is still going to catch a lot."

Stewart, batting .219 on the year, has gone just 7 for 58 (.121) over his last 21 games. He has three RBI over that stretch. 

Indians catcher Yan Gomes moved into the sixth spot in the lineup Monday against the Twins for the fourth time this season.

"I think he's earned it," manager Terry Francona said, per The Plain Dealer. "Especially with what he's done against left-handers."

Gomes is batting .324 with a .603 slugging percentage and .963 OPS against left-handed pitchers in 2013. Overall, he's batting .310 with a .532 slugging percentage and .885 OPS in 52 games.

"Early in the year, I was trying to protect him because we'd pinch-hit for him early," Francona said. "Now we've gotten to the point where we're not going to do that. He's been swinging the bat really well."

Royals catcher Salvador Perez will make his second consecutive start Monday against the Marlins. 

Perez missed time with concussion issues, and there was a question of how he would handle catching once he returned. Perez apparently felt fine following Sunday's game, and earned another start. He's hitting .278/.311/.382 in 338 at-bats. 

Royals catcher Salvador Perez went 1 for 3 with a walk in his return from the disabled list Sunday as the Royals beat the Red Sox, 4-3. Perez also committed a throwing error while raising his season line to .278/.311/.382 in 338 at-bats.

The Royals activated catcher Salvador Perez from the seven-day disabled list Sunday, and Perez is slated to bat fifth while playing catcher in Sunday's game against the Red Sox.

Perez wound up missing the minimum amount of time on the concussion disabled list. He has hit .278/.309/.382 with four home runs and 43 RBI in 335 at-bats.

The Royals are optimistic that catcher Salvador Perez will be cleared to return from a concussion Sunday, the first day he is eligible, the Kansas City Star reports.

"There’s a great chance that Salvy’s gonna come off (Sunday)," manager Ned Yost said Saturday. "Again, we don’t know, we’re keeping our fingers crossed, hoping that all the paperwork gets back."

Perez was diagnosed with a concussion after an Aug. 3 win over the Mets, and he was able to take batting practice and work out in catcher's gear Friday.

Royals catcher Salvador Perez is hopeful of being cleared of his concussion in time to be activated to start Sunday against Boston, the Kansas City Star reports. 

Perez has hit .278/.309/.382 with four home runs and 43 RBI in 335 at-bats.

Royals catcher Salvador Perez was cleared for further physical activity Friday, after he was limited to cardio exercises Friday. According to The Kansas City Star, Perez could be activated from the concussion disabled list when he is eligible Sunday, but it is still not assured. 

Royals catcher Salvador Perez is feeling fine as he continues to make progress in his recovery from a concussion, MLB.com reports. Perez worked out on a bike for 15 minutes Wednesday before jogging and undergoing physical testing Thursday.

"I did my bike workout yesterday and felt great," Perez told MLB.com Thursday. "I felt nothing in my head. I still feel better every day."

Despite his progress, Perez may not be activated from the seven-day disabled list Sunday when first eligible.

"Sal is an extremely valuable component to our team, and we can't take any chances of anything like that," manager Ned Yost told MLB.com. "We need to make sure we do it right. Of course, like anything it's a healing process and it was a very slight concussion so the healing process is going to be much faster and we are still hoping to stay in the seven-day realm."

Perez has hit .278/.309/.382 with four home runs and 43 RBI in 335 at-bats.