MLB Player News

Zavala will start at catcher and bat ninth in Sunday's game against the Guardians, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.

Yasmani Grandal isn't included on Chicago's lineup card for the series finale and is likely to land on the injured list after suffering a left knee injury during a play at the plate in Saturday's 2-0 win, so Zavala should have a clear path to the No. 1 role at catcher for the foreseeable future. Zavala had already begun to encroach on the struggling Grandal's playing time after producing a solid .721 OPS through his first 143 plate appearances on the season. Zavala looks worthy of a pickup in all leagues that start two catchers.

Perez will join the White Sox in Cleveland for Sunday's game, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.

Yasmani Grandal suffered what appeared to be a significant knee injury in Saturday's game against the Guardians, which will force him to the injured list. Perez will make his big-league debut as a result, likely serving as the backup to Seby Zavala. Perez has managed a .259/.317/.448 slash line across 385 plate appearances with Triple-A Charlotte this season.

Grandal exited Saturday's game against the Guardians with left knee discomfort.

Grandal was trying to avoid a tag at home plate but fell awkwardly as a result. He was unable to walk off the field under his own power, so there is potential for a long-term absence. There should be an official diagnosis available Sunday, but Grandal is still being evaluated for the time being.

Grandal exited Saturday's game against the Guardians after getting tagged out at home in the seventh inning, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.

Grandal was out by a significant margin and hurt himself trying to avoid the tag. He was unable to put any weight on his leg and was carried off the field. No further details have been announced, but Grandal appears to be in line for a lengthy absence.

Maldonado is not in Saturday's lineup against Atlanta, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Maldonado is hitting .257 with two home runs in 12 games this month. Christian Vazquez will start behind the dish and hit sixth.

Langeliers is not in Saturday's lineup against the Mariners.

He has played pretty regularly since getting the call earlier this week, primarily as the designated hitter. Langeliers is 3-for-15, with all three of his hits going for extra bases (two doubles, one home run). He has struck out eight times in 16 plate appearances. Stephen Vogt slots in at designated hitter while batting cleanup.

Heim is not in Saturday's lineup against the Twins.

Heim is hitting .200 with one home run, nine strikeouts and nine walks in 14 games this month. Meibrys Viloria will start behind the dish and hit eighth.

Hedges (ankle) is not in Saturday's lineup against the White Sox but will not need an IL stint, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

Bryan Lavastida was initially brought to Cleveland as a precaution, but Hedges is doing well enough that a roster move won't be made. Luke Maile will handle the catching duties in the meantime. Hedges should be considered day-to-day.

McGuire is not in Saturday's lineup against the Orioles.

He has seemingly passed Kevin Plawecki as Boston's top catcher, but Plawecki is behind the dish and hitting ninth in this one. McGuire is hitting .375 with zero home runs in 10 games this month.

Kirk went 3-for-4 with a run scored in Friday's 4-0 win over the Yankees.

The 23-year-old backstop slumped coming out of his first All-Star Game appearance, but Kirk appears to be finding his groove again. Over his last 10 games, he's batting .351 (13-for-37) with two doubles, two runs and five RBI, and as the rest of the Toronto offense heats up again too, Kirk's overall production should rise as well.