MLB Player News

Perez is starting at designated hitter Friday against the Astros and may not be able to catch this weekend, Josh Vernier of 610 Sports Kansas City reports.

He was in the Royals' original lineup at catcher but was moved to DH as his ailing thumb continues to bother him. MJ Melendez is starting at catcher in Perez's place.

Kirk isn't starting Friday against the Twins.

Kirk will get a breather after he went 7-for-16 with two homers, two doubles, six runs, five RBI, two walks and two strikeouts over the last four games. Teoscar Hernandez will serve as the designated hitter while Raimel Tapia starts in right field.

Kirk went 2-for-3 with a walk and a double in Thursday's win over the White Sox.

The 23-year-old remains locked in at the plate. Kirk has five multi-hit performances in his last seven games, batting a dizzying .480 (12-for-25) over that stretch with four doubles, two homers, six RBI and nine runs scored. Danny Jansen is also raking right now, so two of Kirk's last three starts have come at DH, an arrangement that will likely remain in place until at least one of them cools down.

Trevino isn't starting the second game of Thursday's doubleheader against the Angels.

Trevino went 2-for-4 in Thursday's matinee against the Angels, but he'll rest during the second game. Kyle Higashioka will start behind the dish and bat eighth.

Stassi isn't starting the second game of Thursday's doubleheader against the Yankees.

Stassi will get a breather after he went 0-for-3 with a walk and a strikeout in Thursday's matinee. Kurt Suzuki will start behind the plate and bat seventh in the second game of the twin bill.

Raleigh isn't starting Thursday against the Orioles.

Raleigh started in the last two games and went 1-for-8 with three RBI, a run and two strikeouts. Luis Torrens will take over behind the dish and bat ninth Thursday.

Jansen is not starting Thursday's series finale against the White Sox.

Jansen will get a breather after starting back-to-back games following a hip injury, going 2-for-8 with a three-run homer in those contests. Alejandro Kirk will get the start behind the plate and bat fifth.

Jansen went 1-for-4 with a three-run home run in Wednesday's victory over the White Sox.

Jansen gave the Blue Jays a 5-0 lead in the bottom of the third with a three-run homer off White Sox starter Michael Kopech. It was the catcher's seventh home run of the season across just 16 appearances. Jansen is currently slashing .283/.340/.761 -- which would all be career highs -- and is well on his way to eclipsing his career-high 13 home runs, which he set during the 2019 campaign.

Jeffers will sit out Thursday's series finale versus the Tigers.

Jeffers will take a seat after starting two straight, going 0-for-5 with a walk in those contests. Gary Sanchez will get the start behind the plate and bat sixth as the Twins face Alex Faedo on the mound.

Barnhart is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Twins.

The Tigers are closing their series with Minnesota with a day game, so Barnhart will receive a respite after he was behind the plate for Wednesday night's 5-0 win. Eric Haase receives the starting nod at catcher.