MLB Player News

Barnes went 1-for-3 with a two-run homer in Thursday's 4-0 win over San Diego.

Barnes opened the scoring in the third inning when he sent a Yu Darvish offering over the left-center field wall. The blast was the first since July 24 for the veteran catcher, who had entered the night hitless in nine at-bats over his prior nine games. Barnes is slashing .218/.314/.352 with five homers and 19 RBI in 189 plate appearances this season behind starter Will Smith.

Perez went 1-for-5 with a grand slam in a 6-4 victory over Seattle on Thursday.

Perez stepped to the plate against reliever Joe Smith with Kansas City down 4-1 and the bases juiced, and he crushed a 418-foot bomb to left that gave the Royals the lead for good. The blast was the backstop's fifth in seven games and gives him 35 on the season, nine more than any other catcher.

Murphy went 1-for-4 with a solo home run and three strikeouts in Thursday's 7-6 loss to the Yankees.

Murphy's back-to-back blasts with Matt Chapman in the third inning ignited a six-run comeback, though the backstop wasn't productive in his other at-bats. The 26-year-old is in a timeshare with trade deadline acquisition Yan Gomes, which has actually benefitted both players, evidenced by Murphy's improved .256/.385/.512 slash line this month.

Hedges went 1-for-3 with a walk, a stolen base and a run scored in Thursday's 10-6 win over Texas.

The 29-year-old drew a walk and stole second in the fifth inning, but his effort on the basepaths went unrewarded. It was his first steal attempt this year, and he now has 10 stolen bases in his career. Hedges has seen regular playing time with Roberto Perez (shoulder) on the injured list, but the former has just a .186/.230/.290 slash line with six home runs, 23 RBI and 23 runs scored through 233 plate appearances.

Jeffers suffered a heel injury during Thursday's game against the Red Sox, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Jeffers was reportedly unable to swing a bat or run toward the end of Thursday's game. After the contest, manager Rocco Baldelli didn't rule out the possibility of a stint on the injured list for Jeffers. More clarity on the situation should emerge in the coming days, though the Twins could be in a precarious position behind the plate as Mitch Garver is battling back tightness.

Garver was out of the lineup Thursday after experiencing tightness in his back, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Garver has sat five of the team's last seven games, so it's not clear just how long the injury has been bothering him. The issue doesn't seem likely to send Garver to the injured list, and he could be in for a return to regular playing time as Ryan Jeffers battles a heel injury.

Casali was removed from Thursday's game against the Mets after experiencing dizziness while running the bases, Kerry Crowley of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Casali took a foul ball off his mask and then later reported feeling dizzy after running from first to third on a single. There has been no official diagnosis to this point, though Casali will continue to be evaluated over the next few days.

Casali exited Thursday's game against Mets after picking up an injury running from first to third base, Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic reports.

It's not clear exactly what the injury is, though presumably Casali tweaked something in his lower-body. If he is forced to miss extended time, the team would be thin at catcher as Buster Posey (knee) has also missed the last two games.

Tromp was recalled from Triple-A Sacramento on Thursday, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Tromp will join the big-league roster Thursday to provide catching depth while Buster Posey (knee) is banged up. It's not believed to be a serious issue for Posey, so it may be a brief stay in the majors for Tromp.

Nido (thumb) could be ready to return from the 10-day injured list as soon as Friday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Nido's sprained left thumb resulted in him landing on the IL on Aug. 16, but a recent cortisone shot appears to have alleviated most of the pain he was experiencing. The Mets will likely re-evaluate Nido early Friday before determining whether to send him out on a rehab assignment. With No. 1 catcher James McCann (back) further behind in his recovery from injury, Nido could enjoy a brief run as the Mets' top backstop once activated.