MLB Player News

Mejia (ribs) isn't believed to be dealing with a serious injury, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Mejia was scratched from Friday's lineup due to a left intercostal strain, but manager Kevin Cash said that the catcher could play if needed. A better idea of Mejia's status should come into focus Saturday, but it's unlikely that he'll miss significant time.

Murphy went 1-for-3 with a two-run single and a walk in a loss to the Blue Jays on Thursday.

The Athletics ultimately were handed a lopsided loss, but Murphy's timely single actually overcame an early deficit for Oakland and created a temporary one-run advantage. Murphy still sports just a .218 average through 95 plate appearances, but his clutch hitting over the last pair of games has pushed his average with men on base to .313 over 39 plate appearances, and to .333 with men in scoring position specifically (15 PAs).

Mejia was scratched from Friday's lineup against the Athletics with left intercostal discomfort, Justice delos Santos of MLB.com reports.

Mejia had been out of the lineup for two of the last three games, and he'll be a late scratch Friday due to an intercostal issue. Mike Zunino will take over behind the dish and bat sixth.

Grandal is not in the lineup Friday against the Royals.

Grandal started the last two games and will take a seat for Friday's series opener. Zack Collins will work behind the plate for the White Sox.

Higashioka is not in the lineup Friday against the Nationals.

Higashioka will take a seat for the second time in the past three games while mired in a 1-for-16 slump. Gary Sanchez will start behind the plate and bat sixth Friday for New York.

Perez had three pins inserted into his right ring finger Friday and will be sidelined 8-to-10 weeks, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

The 32-year-old was originally expected to try and play through the injury, but he instead underwent surgery to address the fracture Friday. Perez is now slated to be out until the second half of the season with the All-Star break little more than two months away. Austin Hedges should serve as Cleveland's primary catcher in the meantime, with Rene Rivera handling backup duties.

Rogers was recalled from Triple-A Toledo on Friday.

The 26-year-old lost the backup job in spring training to Grayson Greiner, but he'll head to the majors Friday with starter Wilson Ramos (back) landing on the injured list. Greiner likely will take over primary duties behind the plate, but Rogers should see occasional opportunities until Ramos can return.

Perez underwent surgery to repair his fractured ring finger Friday, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

Previous reports had indicated that Perez intended to play through the injury. He or his team evidently changed those plans, however, as he landed on the injured list Wednesday and underwent surgery two days later. His expected return date is not yet clear. Austin Hedges and Rene Rivera will split time behind the plate in his absence.

Jansen went 1-for-5 with a two-run home run in Thursday's win over the A's.

His fourth-inning blast helped chase Mike Fiers from the game. It was Jansen's first homer of the year in his 22nd game, but with Alejandro Kirk (hip) out for a month or more, Jansen should see a big workload in May despite his feeble .083/.167/.150 slash line.

Maldonado went 3-for-4 with a two-run home run Thursday against the Yankees.

Maldonado entered the game with only two extra-base hits across 72 plate appearances this season. He did manage his first homer of the campaign Thursday when he took Justin Wilson yard in the ninth inning. Maldonado will need several more strong performances to pull up his poor .129/.197/.214 line across 76 plate appearances to this point.