MLB Player News

Hedges will start at catcher and bat ninth Wednesday against the Royals.

With Cleveland moving Roberto Perez (finger) to the 10-day injured list Wednesday, Hedges looks set to take over as the team's everyday catcher. Hedges has received plaudits for his work as a receiver, but aside from popping the occasional home run, he offers little with the bat. Over 1,385 career plate appearances in the majors, Hedges owns a .196/.253/.355 slash line (60 wRC+).

Perez was placed on the 10-day injured list Wednesday with a fractured finger, Tom Withers of the Associated Press reports

The catcher hasn't appeared in a game since Friday and is now set to miss a more extended period of time. Perez is hitting just .131 in 61 at-bats this season. Rene Rivera, who was recalled in a corresponding move, will share catching duties with Austin Hedges.

Maldonado (shoulder) isn't starting Wednesday against the Yankees, Mark Berman of Fox 26 reports.

Maldonado was diagnosed with a trapezius contusion after leaving Tuesday's game against the Yankees. Maldonado will be available off the bench, but manager Dusty Baker said that he'll try not to use the 34-year-old, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports. Jason Castro will start at catcher and bat ninth.

Higashioka isn't starting Wednesday's game against the Astros.

Higashioka had started each of the last two games and went1-for-6 with a double, a run, an RBI and three strikeouts during that time. Gary Sanchez will start behind the dish and bat eighth.

Perez went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and two RBI during Tuesday's loss to Cleveland.

Perez extended Kansas City's lead with a 460-foot homer against Sam Hentges in the fifth inning. He also hit an RBI single in the third. The 30-year-old now has 553 career RBI, passing John Mayberry for ninth on the Royals leaderboard. Overall this season, Perez is hitting .268/.305/.518 while leading Kansas City in hits (30) and home runs (seven).

Maldonado is negative for concussion symptoms and was diagnosed with a trapezius contusion after leaving Tuesday's game against the Yankees, Julia Morales of AT&T SportsNet Southwest reports.

It's good news for the 34-year-old after he was hit in the head during a collision at home plate with Rougned Odor. Maldonado should be considered day-to-day but will be held out of the lineup for Wednesday's contest, according to Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle.

Huff (knee) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Tuesday.

The 23-year-old was ruled out for eight weeks after undergoing surgery to remove a loose body from his knee in late April, so the move to the 60-day IL is unlikely to affect his return timeline. Huff could be back in late June or early July if all goes well in his recovery.

Maldonado was removed from Tuesday's game against the Yankees after a collision at home plate, Lindsey Adler of The Athletic reports.

The 34-year-old appeared to take a shot to the head during a collision with Rougned Odor, and the catcher remained down on the field for a few minutes before leaving the game. Maldonado is likely being evaluated for a head injury and should be considered day-to-day for the time being.

Perez is not in Tuesday's lineup against the Royals.

He got back into the mix Monday after dealing with a finger injury. Austin Hedges is starting behind the dish and hitting ninth.

Mejia is not in Tuesday's lineup against the Angels, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

He's hit .286/.324/.514 with one home run over his last 10 games and has started three of the last seven. While Mejia is the superior offensive catcher to Mike Zunino, who is starting behind the dish Tuesday, they'll maintain a close playing time split due to Zunino's superior defense.