MLB Player News

Perez (hand) is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Red Sox.

Though he'll be on the bench for the series opener at Fenway Park, Perez appears to have avoided a major injury scare after he was removed from Sunday's 8-4 loss to the Phillies when he was hit in the left hand by a pitch. X-rays later cleared Perez of any structural damage, so he'll be viewed as day-to-day while he heals up from the hand contusion. With Perez on the bench Monday, Freddy Fermin will start behind the plate while Matt Beaty gets the nod at first base.

Thaiss went 1-for-3 with a solo home run against Seattle in Sunday's extra-inning loss.

Thaiss hit a big solo shot in the seventh inning to tie the game 2-2, but the Mariners ended up pulling out the win in the the 10th frame. The long ball was Thaiss's first since July 18, a span of 13 games. The catcher struggled mightily during that stretch, slashing .103/.200/.103 with no extra-base hits and a 33.3 percent strikeout rate over 45 plate appearances. Thaiss has held onto the primary catcher role since Chad Wallach hasn't hit any better, but both will likely see their playing time reduced when Logan O'Hoppe (shoulder) is ready to return, likely near the end of August.

Vazquez is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Tigers, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.

Vazquez will give way to Ryan Jeffers behind the dish for the series opener. The two backstops have now alternated starts at catcher over the last eight games.

Bethancourt went 2-for-5 with a double and two runs scored in Sunday's win over the Tigers.

Bethancourt tallied his first multi-hit effort since June 30 and had just his second extra-base hit in his last 20 games. The 31-year-old has had a rough go at the plate this year, slashing .218/.251/.368 with seven homers, 23 RBI, 33 runs and an 11:63 BB:K in 248 plate appearances. Despite his struggles, Bethancourt faces little competition for starts behind the dish since Francisco Mejia (knee) went down with a sprained knee July 20.

O'Hoppe (shoulder) will report to Single-A Inland Empire this week to begin a rehab assignment, J.P. Hoornstra of the Los Angeles Daily News reports.

O'Hoppe has been sidelined since late April while working his way back from surgery to repair a torn labrum. He's reached the final stage of his arduous recovery program by heading out on a rehab assignment, but because of his lengthy layoff, O'Hoppe will likely require most of the 20-day rehab window to regain his timing at the plate before he's activated from the 60-day injured list. Once he's activated, O'Hoppe could supplant Matt Thaiss as the Angels' everyday catcher.

Perez was diagnosed with a bruised left hand after exiting Sunday's game against the Phillies after two innings, Jaylon T. Thompson of The Kansas City Star reports.

While serving as the Royals' starting catcher Sunday, Perez went 1-for-1 with a base hit and a run before leaving the contest following his second plate appearance of the day, when he was hit in the hand by a pitch. Fortunately for the veteran backstop, initial scans ruled out any structural damage. Perez could be dealing with soreness or swelling to the hand, however, making it uncertain if he'll be ready to return to the lineup for Monday's series opener in Boston.

Perez was removed from Sunday's game against the Phillies after being hit by a pitch on the hand, Joel Goldberg of Bally Sports Kansas Cityreports.

Perez ran the bases after being hit by a pitch during the top of the second inning but didn't take the field for the bottom of the frame. Freddy Fermin has taken over behind the plate, which forced the Royals to give up the designated hitter for the remainder of Sunday's contest. Perez is likely to undergo precautionary X-rays and should be considered day-to-day until more information is available.

Perez (thumb) will partake in baseball activities before Sunday's game against the Giants before joining Triple-A Las Vegas to begin a rehab assignment Tuesday, the Associated Press reports.

Perez has been sidelined for just over a month with his thumb fracture, but he's been making steady progress over the last couple of weeks in particular. The veteran's rehab assignment figures to last at least 3-to-4 games given the amount of time he's been sidelined.

Fermin went 2-for-4 with a pair of solo home runs in Saturday's 9-6 loss to the Phillies.

Fermin continues to sizzle in the second half of the season, with the pair of home runs giving him four since the All-Star break and bringing his OPS up to 1.107 in the second half. While Nick Pratto (groin) has been on the injured list, the Royals have made room for both Fermin and Salvador Perez in the lineup, with the latter usually occupying Pratto's spot at first base. However, Perez will get a turn behind the dish in Sunday's series finale while Fermin serves as the Royals' designated hitter.

Rogers is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rays.

Rogers started the first two games of the series versus Tampa Bay but will take a seat for Sunday's finale. Eric Haase will work behind the plate and bat eighth.