MLB Player News

Perez is making a strong bid for the backup catcher job in summer camp, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports. "[He's] a guy that is starting to come into his own," said Rays manager Kevin Cash. "He seems pretty motivated and kind of hungry to make the most of the opportunity that is presented."

Perez had slugged a pair of home runs before spring training was suspended, and he's impressed thus far in summer camp with multiple strong at-bats during simulated games. That includes Tuesday, when he laced a double off the returning Tyler Glasnow. Perez is trying to ward off a couple of capable veterans in Kevan Smith and Chris Herrmann for an Opening Day roster spot, and Cash talked up the emerging backstop as a player that could take advantage of his opportunity in similar fashion to how Travis d'Arnaud did on last year's playoff team.

Trevino may replace Robinson Chirinos (ankle) as the starting catcher, Sam Blum of the Dallas Morning News reports.

Chirinos suffered a right ankle injury in a collision during Monday's intrasquad game and could miss a few days as a result. Texas manager Chris Woodward is looking at Trevino as a potential replacement and feels Trevino has made significant improvement at the plate. "What I've seen as the biggest difference is the bat. The swing changes he's made, the commitment to his work and being able to handle all of that is tough for a catcher, especially a young catcher," said the manager.

Perez (illness) was activated off the 10-day injured list Tuesday, Lynn Worthy of The Kansas City Star reports.

Perez spent time on the 10-day injured list after testing positive for COVID-19, but he was able to be activated after spending the minimum amount of time on the list. He'll be available for the Royals' intrasquad game Tuesday, signaling that he's cleared intake testing. It's unclear whether he will be ready for Opening Day on July 24.

Rutschman was transferred to the Orioles' alternate training site in Bowie on Tuesday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Rutschman had been working with the 60-man roster at Camden Yards over the past several days, but he'll move to the team's alternate facility ahead of the regular season. The Orioles have been impressed with the top prospect's performance since being added to the 60-man roster July 10. However, the team is unsure whether the 22-year-old will get a chance to play in the majors this season given his lack of experience against upper-level talent. He'll at least get to develop alongside other top prospects within the organization in Bowie to begin the 2020 season.

Thaiss (undisclosed) arrived at the Angels' camp Sunday, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Thaiss wasn't at camp for the first several days for an undisclosed reason, but his presence with the team signals that he's cleared intake testing and will be able to partake in team activities. Thaiss is expected to serve as a reserve corner infielder for the Angels this season. It's unclear whether he'll be ready for Opening Day.

Gallagher has tested positive for COVID-19, Lynn Worthy of The Kansas City Star reports.

Gallagher played in the team's intrasquad game Friday and said he felt great, but he found out Saturday that he tested positive for COVID-19. The 27-year-old is asymptomatic, but he'll need to self-isolate and have two tests come back negative before MLB protocol allows him to rejoin the team.

Davis joined the Orioles' player pool Friday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Davis will provide the Orioles with extra depth behind the plate, but he's unlikely to play a significant role. The 30-year-old has only received 39 big-league plate appearances in his career.

Sanchez caught five innings in an intrasquad game Tuesday and expects to be ready to catch a full game by Opening Day, Lindsey Adler of The Athletic reports.

Sanchez dealt with a sore back and a bout with the flu in early March, but the long layoff has provided adequate time for him to get well. As long as he can maintain his health, the 27-year-old should again rank among the premier power-hitting backstops in the game this season.

Higashioka (neck) is in the lineup for Thursday's intrasquad matchup, Marly Rivera of ESPN reports.

Higashioka was sidelined for several days while nursing a sore neck, but he's healthy enough to start behind the plate during Thursday's intrasquad game. The 30-year-old should be able to resume preparations to serve as the Yankees' backup catcher ahead of the regular season.

The Royals signed Hernandez to a minor-league contract Thursday.

Hernandez's deal includes an invitation to summer camp, where he'll provide the Royals with some additional depth behind the plate while top backstop Salvador Perez (illness) recovers from the coronavirus. The 26-year-old Hernandez previously appeared in 22 games at the big-league level with Arizona between 2015 and 2016, but he's played at only the Double-A and Triple-A level over the past three seasons.