MLB Player News

Perez went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and an additional run Wednesday in the Royals' 12-10 loss to the Athletics.

Perez's second home run in as many days gives him 44 on the season, leaving him one of shy of Toronto's Vladimir Guerrero for the MLB lead. In light of Perez's production relative to other catchers, there's an argument to be made that he's been the most valuable fantasy contributor in 2021. Among all catcher-eligible players, Perez has 14 more home runs, 39 more RBI and 14 more runs than second place in those respective categories.

Barnhart is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Pirates.

Most of the lefty-hitting Barnhart's off days typically come when Cincinnati opposes lefty starting pitchers, but he'll take a seat Thursday against right-hander Connor Overton in the series finale due to the Reds and Pirates getting together for a day game after a night game. Tyler Stephenson will bat sixth and catch for Tyler Mahle.

D'Arnaud is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Rockies.

D'Arnaud will take a seat for the day game after he went 0-for-5 with three strikeouts in Wednesday night's 3-2 loss to the Rockies. William Contreras replaces d'Arnaud behind the dish, batting eighth.

Realmuto went 3-for-4 with a solo home run, two RBI and a stolen base in the win over the Cubs on Wednesday.

The catcher returned to the lineup Wednesday after missing the last game. He drove in Ranger Suarez on a single in the fifth inning before launching a solo homer in the eighth. It was his first long ball since Aug. 22 and his 15th of the season. Over his last two contests, Realmuto has collected six hits in eight at-bats while driving in three runs.

Stassi is not in the lineup Wednesday against the White Sox.

Stassi hasn't started back-to-back games since Sept. 5 and 6, and that trend will continue after going 1-for-3 with a walk and two strikeouts Tuesday. Kurt Suzuki will work behind the plate for the Halos.

Perez is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Twins.

After a five-week stint on the injured list due to an inflamed shoulder, Perez returned to the Cleveland lineup Tuesday and went 0-for-3 in the team's 6-3 loss. Austin Hedges will get a turn behind the plate Wednesday in the series finale, and he and Perez will most likely split the catching duties in relatively even fashion over the final two and a half weeks of the season.

Contreras isn't in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Phillies.

Contreras will get a breather after he went 3-for-17 with two runs, two RBI and two walks across his last five appearances. Robinson Chirinos will start behind the plate and bat fifth.

Realmuto (shoulder) is starting Wednesday's game against the Cubs.

Realmuto sat out Tuesday's game due to right shoulder inflammation, a condition which required him to receive an injection Sunday. However, he'll start at first base and bat fourth following his one-game absence.

Diaz is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game in Atlanta.

Diaz will get a routine breather after going 3-for-8 with two runs while catching both of the past two games for the Rockies. No. 2 backstop Dom Nunez will get a turn behind the plate in Diaz's stead Wednesday.

Raleigh went 2-for-4 with a double in a loss to the Red Sox on Tuesday.

The reserve backstop has a miserable .178/.222/.288 slash line for the season, but he's at least had a reason to smile over his last two starts. Raleigh is 4-for-8 in that pair of opportunities with the starting nine, which have come within a four-day period. Raleigh has encouragingly gotten good wood on the ball in that brief sample as well, as three of his four hits have been two-baggers.