MLB Player News

Maldonado is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Rangers, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Maldonado had started six of the Astros' last seven games, so manager Dusty Baker may just have wanted to give the veteran backstop some extra maintenance. Jason Castro will catch Cristian Javier in the series opener.

Perez went 2-for-4 with an RBI double in Wednesday's 4-2 loss to Detroit.

Perez opened the scoring by knocking in Whit Merrifield in the first inning. Kansas City mustered just five baserunners in the last eight innings, including a sixth-inning single by Perez that was promptly erased when Jorge Soler grounded into a double play. Through 35 games, Perez is slashing .275/.310/.493 with seven home runs, 19 RBI and 16 runs scored. His multi-hit effort Wednesday ended an 0-for-11 skid.

Grandal isn't in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Twins.

Grandal will get a breather after he blasted home runs in each of the last two games. Zack Collins will start behind the plate and bat seventh.

Rogers is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Royals, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Eric Haase will step in behind the dish in place of Rogers, who appears to have temporarily seized hold of the No. 1 catcher role in Detroit. However, Wilson Ramos (back) is expected to return from the 10-day injured list when first eligible Monday, so Rogers' run atop the depth chart will likely be short-lived.

Grandal went 1-for-3 with a solo home run, two additional runs scored and two walks in the White Sox' 13-8 win over the Twins on Wednesday.

Grandal took Shaun Anderson deep in the fifth inning for his second home run in as many games. He is having a good series, but he is off to the worst start of his career. The catcher is slashing just .130/.384/.333 in 100 plate appearances. The last two games were the first time that he registered a hit in back-to-back appearances this season.

Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo said Wednesday that Kirk (hip) has resumed throwing and hitting off a tee, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

The activity marks a step in the right direction for Kirk, but after being placed on the 60-day injured list over the weekend, he'll be facing a lengthy recovery process. If all goes well in Kirk's rehab program and he avoids any setbacks, he'll be ready to rejoin Toronto shortly before the All-Star break.

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

With Grayson Greiner (hamstring) joining Wilson Ramos (back) on the 10-day injured list, Rogers looks poised to serve as the Tigers' top backstop in the interim. Rogers' reign atop the depth chart is expected to last less than a week, as Ramos appears on track to return from the IL when first eligible next Monday.

Moreno is off to a flying start to the season for Double-A New Hampshire, slashing .429/.520/.714 through five games with a home run and eight RBI.

The 21-year-old has hit at every level he's played in affiliated ball, and the jump to Double-A hasn't slowed Moreno down at the plate. The Jays have little reason to rush him up the ladder, but Moreno could force a promotion to Triple-A before long if he proves he's ready for a new challenge.

The Tigers selected Haase's contract from Triple-A Toledo on Wednesday.

Detroit will call up its second catcher from Toledo in less than a week after Grayson Greiner (hamstring) joined Wilson Ramos (back) on the 10-day injured list. Ramos will likely be activated from the IL when first eligible May 17, so Haase is expected to serve as the No. 2 option at catcher behind Jake Rogers for the Tigers' next five games before heading back to Toledo.

Hedges isn't starting Wednesday against the Cubs.

Hedges went 2-for-8 with a run, an RBI and two strikeouts while starting each of the last three games. Rene Rivera will start behind the dish and bat eighth.