MLB Player News

Vazquez isn't starting Saturday's game against the White Sox, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Vazquez went 0-for-6 with a walk, one run and a strikeout in the past two games. Kevin Plawecki will start behind the plate Saturday, batting ninth.

Perez isn't starting Saturday's game against the Reds.

Perez will take a seat for the second time in the last three games after he went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts Friday. Austin Hedges starts behind the plate, batting eighth.

Grandal isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Red Sox.

Grandal has gone hitless with six walks, one run, one RBI and four strikeouts in his last 21 plate appearances. Zack Collins will start behind the dish Saturday, batting sixth.

Realmuto went 1-for-3 with a two-run homer and a strikeout in Friday's win over the Cardinals.

Realmuto had gone just 2-for-12 with a double and four strikeouts in his last five games, but he provided some insurance Friday with his second home run of the season. The 30-year-old has posted a .961 OPS with two home runs, eight RBI and one stolen base in his first 13 games of the year.

Garver went 2-for-4 with a double, two RBI and a run scored in Friday's 10-3 loss to the Angels.

Garver tied the game at 2-2 with his two-run double in the sixth inning and later came around to score the go-ahead run before the Angels' bats caught fire. The 6-foot-1 catcher is up to four extra-base hits and six RBI this season.

Contreras went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and a strikeout in Friday's loss to Atlanta.

Contreras was hit by a pitch in his first at-bat Friday, but he responded with his third home run of the year in the fifth inning. The 28-year-old is now slashing .257/.413/.514 with seven runs and four RBI to begin the season.

Nola (finger) has taken a "significant step" in his recovery and is close to playing in games at the Padres' alternate training site, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Nola's return to action hasn't been as smooth as initially hoped, and the backstop has already exceeded the minimum stay on the 10-day injured list. "He's been having a good day, then having a bad day, continue that road," explained manager Jayce Tingler. "[Friday] was one of the better days he's had, where the swelling in that finger has been staying down...Obviously, we've still got a ways to go, but certainly happy to hear that some of the swelling has not popped up." Tingler indicated that Nola is getting closer to taking part in games at the team's alternate site but did not provide a date or timeframe for when that may occur.

Maldonado (COVID-19 protocols) is unlikely to return during the Astros' current five-game road trip, Jake Kaplan of The Athletic reports.

Maldonado was one of five Astros who landed on the COVID-19 injured list Wednesday. The team hasn't announced whether Maldonado has tested positive for the virus, but manager Dusty Baker said Friday that none of the five players are likely to return before the Astros return home Thursday. Jason Castro and Garrett Stubbs should continue to fill in behind the plate in Maldonado's absence.

Caratini isn't starting Friday's game against the Dodgers.

Caratini will retreat to the bench for a second straight contest after he went 1-for-11 with a double and one RBI in his last four games. Luis Campusano will start behind the dish Friday, batting eighth.

Gomes is not in the lineup Friday against Arizona.

Gomes hits the bench after starting behind the plate in two straight games. Alex Avila will get the nod in his absence.