MLB Player News

Perez isn't starting Friday against the Padres.

The 33-year-old was initially scheduled to get a day off Thursday before Andrew Knapp was scratched from the lineup due to an illness. Perez will retreat to the bench in Friday's series opener since Knapp is starting behind the dish and batting ninth.

Sanchez (abdomen) is starting Friday against the Rays.

Sanchez missed seven consecutive games with an abdominal injury, but he'll start at catcher and bat eighth in Friday's series opener against Tampa Bay. Prior to his absence, he'd hit .216 with a home run, eight RBI, two runs and a steal.

Kirk went 2-for-4 with an RBI during Thursday's 1-0 win over the Red Sox.

The game's only run came in the third inning on Kirk's two-out single, which drove in Lourdes Gurriel. Although Kirk has only provided two RBI this season, he continues to make consistent contact and has a current streak of 41 straight plate appearances without a strikeout.

Hedges went 2-for-3 with a solo home run Thursday in a loss to the Angels.

Cleveland managed only four hits in the contest, with Hedges notching half of them. He also produced the team's only run with a solo homer off Reid Detmers in the fifth inning. Hedges has struggled with a .163/.234/.302 slash line this season, though two of his seven hits have left the yard.

Kolozsvary had an RBI double in Thursday's loss to the Padres, going 1-for-3 before getting lifted for a pinch hitter late in the game.

Kolozsvary will get to stick around for the weekend, which happens to be a series in Coors Field. He'll likely get sent back down Tuesday, when Tyler Stephenson is due back from his concussion.

Contreras was recalled by Atlanta on Thursday.

Contreras has hit .292 with three doubles, eight RBI and two runs in 13 games at Triple-A Gwinnett this year, and he'll serve as Atlanta's No. 2 catcher after Manny Pina (wrist) was placed on the 10-day injured list Thursday. In 57 major-league appearances, Contreras has hit .220 with eight homers, 24 RBI and 19 runs.

Stassi isn't starting Thursday against Cleveland, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Stassi went 2-for-6 with two runs, a walk and three strikeouts in his last two appearances, and he'll be out of the lineup for the third time in the last five games. Kurt Suzuki will start behind the plate and bat seventh.

The Rangers recalled Huff from Triple-A Round Rock on Thursday.

Huff will join the 28-man active roster as a replacement for Jonah Heim (personal), who was placed on the paternity list in a corresponding move. While Heim is away from the Rangers for the next 1-to-3 days, Huff will serve as the top understudy to No. 1 catcher Mitch Garver.

The Rangers placed Heim on the paternity list Thursday.

Heim will be away from the Rangers for 1-to-3 days while he observes the birth of his child. The Rangers called up Sam Huff from Triple-A Round Rock to serve as the No. 2 backstop behind Mitch Garver while Heim is away from the team.

Stephenson (concussion) is targeting a return Tuesday against the Brewers, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Stephenson is already eligible to return from the 7-day injured list but evidently needs a few more days to get up to speed. Aramis Garcia should remain the Reds' primary catcher until he returns.