MLB Player News

Kirk was diagnosed with a bruised left hand when X-rays came back negative after being removed from Friday's game at Milwaukee, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Kirk was clipped on his glove hand by the bat on a backswing during the bottom of the seventh inning, but it appears he's avoided a serious injury and should be considered day-to-day. The 23-year-old continued his tear at the plate prior to exiting and homered for the third straight game. In addition to the two-run home run Friday, he went 3-for-3 with another run scored.

Kirk was removed from Friday's game against the Brewers with an apparent left arm injury, Rob Longley of the Toronto Sun reports.

The 23-year-old was struck by the bat on a backswing during the bottom of the seventh inning, and he was lifted from the contest during a pitching change after the at-bat. Kirk was a major producer prior to leaving the game, as he went 4-for-4 with a two-run home run and an additional run scored. The Blue Jays also have an 8-2 lead, so the team could simply be exercising caution late in the contest. Kirk should be considered day-to-day until more information is available.

Perez underwent surgery to repair the UCL in his left thumb Friday and is expected to be sidelined about eight weeks, Josh Vernier of 610 Sports Kansas City reports.

The 32-year-old was placed on the injured list earlier Friday, and the team wasted little time getting him in for the procedure. Perez spent 10 days on the injured list with a thumb sprain in May, but he's now set to be sidelined for the next two months. MJ Melendez should operated as Kansas City's primary catcher in the meantime, with Cam Gallagher filling the backup role.

Barnhart is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Diamondbacks.

Barnhart is 3-for-22 over his past nine games and will head to the bench Friday for the second time in Detroit's past three contests. Eric Haase will start behind the plate and bat ninth.

Sanchez is out of the lineup for Friday's game against Colorado.

Sanchez started the past seven games and will head to the bench Friday after going 5-for-26 with a home run, two RBI and five runs during that stretch. Ryan Jeffers will work behind the plate while Jose Miranda serves as the designated hitter.

Bethancourt will sit Friday against the Royals, Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Bethancourt may be falling into a small-side platoon role, as his off day here against Zack Greinke means he's now sat against the last three righties Oakland has faced. That followed a run of five straight starts against righties, however. Sheldon Neuse will be the first baseman Friday.

Maldonado will be on the bench Friday against the Yankees.

Maldonado has typically handled a heavy workload behind the plate, but he now finds himself on the bench for the third time in the last five games. Despite his defensive prowess, it's tough to be an everyday player when you hit .147/.221/.282. Jason Castro will again start at catcher Friday.

McCann (wrist) was reinstated from the 10-day injured list Friday but isn't starting against the Marlins, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

McCann recently completed a rehab assignment at Double-A Binghamton, where he hit .286 with two doubles, three runs and an RBI over five games. While Tomas Nido is starting behind the dish Friday, McCann should serve as the Mets' primary catcher now that he's fully healthy.

D'Arnaud isn't starting Friday against the Dodgers.

D'Arnaud will be out of the lineup for the second time in the last three games after going 3-for-5 with two doubles, two RBI and a strikeout in Thursday's win over San Francisco. William Contreras is starting behind the plate and batting sixth.

Trevino isn't starting Friday against the Astros.

Trevino started in the last two games and went 3-for-9 with a homer, two runs and two RBI. Kyle Higashioka is starting behind the plate and batting ninth.