MLB Player News

Garver went 3-for-6 with two runs scored in Wednesday's 12-2 win over the Brewers.

Garver hit leadoff in Wednesday's contest, and that appeared to wake up his bat. In the second inning, the catcher got aboard with a single and scored on a Nelson Cruz single. Garver hit another single in the fifth and came home when Eddie Rosario drew a bases-loaded walk. Wednesday marked just the second multi-hit game of the season for Garver, who is batting .167/.280/.238 with a homer, two RBI and six runs scored in 12 contests.

The Indians are hoping to have Perez (shoulder) run the bases and throw from 150 feet back-to-back days, Tom Withers of the Associated Press reports.

Perez is slowly working his way back from a strained right shoulder that has kept him sidelined since the end of July. Until he's cleared to return, Sandy Leon and Beau Taylor should continue to handle catching duties for Cleveland.

Grandal is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Tigers.

Grandal merely looks to be receiving a routine breather with the White Sox and Tigers concluding their series with a day game after a night game. James McCann checks in behind the plate in place of Grandal, who is batting .245 with no home runs and nine RBI on the campaign.

Murphy is out of the lineup Tuesday against the Angels.

Murphy started four of the past five games and will head to the bench after going 3-for-14 with one run and one RBI. Austin Allen will work behind the plate Tuesday for the A's.

Perez went 2-for-5 with a two-run single and a run in a win over the Red Sox on Monday.

Operating out of the bottom of the order, Perez came through with a clutch single in the fourth inning that brought the Rays to within a run after an early 4-0 deficit. The backup catcher has made his presence felt with the bat in recent games, as he provided what turned out to be a game-winning sacrifice fly Friday against the Yankees and then laced a walkoff single versus New York on Sunday as well. Given that primary backstop Mike Zunino is now slashing an unsightly .097/.222/.226 over his first 13 games, it's conceivable the left-handed hitting Perez sees more opportunities against right-handed pitching with the short season restricting how long managers can give struggling players a chance to break out of slumps.

Nola (hand) went 1-for-5 in Monday's 10-2 win over the Rangers.

Nola missed two games with the hand injury, but he returned Monday. He's hit safely in his last four starts, going 7-for-16 in that span. The 30-year-old catcher is hitting .308/.372/.538 with a homer, seven RBI and four runs scored in 12 contests this year. With Tom Murphy (foot) on the injured list, Nola figures to see most of the playing time behind the dish.

Maldonado went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Monday's 6-4 win over the Giants.

Maldonado's first homer of the year gave the Astros a 6-0 lead in the sixth inning. He's picked up eight RBI, four runs scored and a .194 batting average in 13 contests this season. The 33-year-old will likely continue to see most of the time behind the dish

Nola (hand) is starting Monday against the Rangers.

Nola was on the bench for two consecutive games after being hit by a pitch in Friday's contest. However, he'll reclaim his spot behind the dish and bat fifth Monday. Nola is hitting .324/.395/.588 with six extra-base hits and seven RBI this season.

Vazquez isn't starting Monday against the Rays.

Vazquez had started in the past 10 games for Boston, but he'll take a seat after going 1-for-11 with one RBI and seven strikeouts over the past three games. Kevin Plawecki will step in behind the dish and bat sixth Monday.

Garver isn't in the lineup Monday against the Brewers.

Garver's bat has been cold to begin the season, and he'll take a seat for the second consecutive game Monday. Alex Avila will start at catcher once again, batting ninth.