MLB Player News

Perez went 2-for-4 with a homer, two RBI and two runs scored in Wednesday's 6-1 win over the Angels.

Perez opened the scoring with a solo shot in the third inning. He added an RBI double in the seventh and scored on Carlos Santana's two-run blast. Perez swung a hot bat against the Angels, going 8-for-12 with four RBI and three runs scored in the three-game series. He's slashing .333/.395/.641 with three homers, eight RBI and eight runs scored across 43 plate appearances this season.

Smith is not in Wednesday's lineup against the Rockies, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

He is hitting .261 with two home runs in 23 at-bats. Austin Barnes will start behind the dish and bat eighth.

Narvaez went 1-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored in Wednesday's win over the Cubs.

Narvaez ended his three-game hitting streak Tuesday, but he found a way to produce in this one and he's now hit safely in eight of his first 10 contests. The backstop is hitting .414 with a 1.091 OPS through his first 33 plate appearances in 2021.

Kirk went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run during Wednesday's 5-4 win over the Yankees.

The 22-year-old was hitless in 13 at-bats through his first six appearances of the season, but he finally connected Wednesday for his second home run of his career. Kirk has received five starts in Toronto's first 12 games of the year and may need to improve at the plate to maintain that level of playing time, though fellow catcher Danny Jansen has struggled similarly (2-for-22) to open 2021.

Grandal is not in Wednesday's lineup against Cleveland.

He is 0-for-11 with six walks and four strikeouts over his last four games. Zack Collins starts behind the dish and will bat sixth.

Stubbs was recalled by the Astros on Wednesday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Stubbs will join the major-league club to serve as Houston's backup catcher after Martin Maldonado was placed on the COVID-19 injured list Wednesday. Jason Castro should serve as the primary catcher in Maldonado's absence, but Stubbs could make his 2021 debut in the near future if Maldonado misses extended time.

Maldonado was placed on the injured list Wednesday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Maldonado was one of five Astros who were placed on the injured list without an injury designation, so it appears as though the players are out due to COVID-19-related protocols. It's not yet clear whether Maldonado has tested positive for the virus. If the 34-year-old isn't dealing with a positive test result, he'll be eligible to return as soon as he clears the league's health and safety protocols. Jason Castro should serve as the team's primary catcher in Maldonado's absence, while the Astros also recalled Garrett Stubbs in a corresponding move.

Trevino isn't in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rays, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Trevino had gone 5-for-11 with a double, one run, one walk and three strikeouts while starting in each of the past three games. However, Jonah Heim will serve as the starting catcher Wednesday, batting seventh.

Stallings isn't starting Wednesday's game against the Padres.

Stallings had recorded hits in each of his last five starts and went 8-for-16 with three doubles, five RBI, four runs and five walks during that time. Michael Perez will take over behind the dish Wednesday, batting eighth.

Jansen is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Yankees.

With the Blue Jays and Yankees wrapping up their series with a day game, Jansen will be getting a breather after catching all nine innings of Toronto's 7-3 win Tuesday. Alejandro Kirk will form a battery with T.J. Zeuch in the series finale.