MLB Player News

Smith (neck) could return to the Dodgers' lineup Sunday, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports.

Smith has been dealing with neck inflammation that warranted a trip to the injured list, but he took at-bats and worked behind the plate at the team's alternate training site Friday. If he feels good afterward, manager Dave Roberts is hoping he'll be able to return Sunday, the first day he's eligible to be activated. Once he's back in action, Smith should again split time behind the plate with Austin Barnes.

Stassi (knee) was placed on the 10-day injured list Friday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Stassi took a foul ball off the knee Thursday and suffered a right knee contusion that forced him out of the contest. The injury is serious enough to warrant a stay on the injured list, and it's unclear whether he'll have to spend longer than the minimum of 10 days sidelined. Jason Castro could see the bulk of the action at catcher if he's fully healthy, but Anthony Bemboom could see a slight uptick in playing time as well.

Grandal (back) returns to the lineup Friday against the Cubs, catching and batting second.

A stiff lower back sidelined Grandal for the last three games, though the issue evidently wasn't particularly serious. He's still yet to get going at the plate this season, as he's hitting .222/.346/.317 while posting a career-worst 33.3 percent strikeout rate.

Perez's blurred vision, which sent him to the injured list Friday, is due to central serous chorioretinopathy, a condition in which fluid accumulates under the retina, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.

The condition seemingly clarifies that Perez's vision issues are unrelated to any potential concussion, but his return time remains unclear. Cam Gallagher and Meibrys Viloria will continue to split time behind the plate until the blurriness subsides.

Caratini is not in the lineup Friday against the White Sox.

Caratini started the past four games and went 2-for-8 with a double, three RBI and three walks during that stretch, but he'll take a seat for Friday's series opener. Willson Contreras will start behind the plate while Kyle Schwarber serves as the designated hitter.

Perez (eye) was placed on the 10-day injured list Friday, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.

The move isn't a surprising one, as Perez has missed most of the last week with blurred vision in his left eye. He last played Tuesday, so he'll be eligible to return as soon as next Friday, though the Royals have yet to release a timeline for his return. Reliever Randy Rosario was recalled in a corresponding move, with Cam Gallagher and Meibrys Viloria set to split time behind the plate.

Perez (eye) remains sidelined for Friday's game against the Twins, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.

Perez has been dealing with blurred vision all week, appearing in just one game. It's not clear when he's expected to return to action. Cam Gallagher will be the catcher in his absence.

Stallings is not in the lineup Friday against the Brewers.

Stallings started the past five games and went 6-for-14 during that stretch, but he'll receive a day off for Friday's series opener. John Ryan Murphy will take over behind the plate and bat ninth for Pittsburgh.

Higashioka (oblique) has begun swinging a bat and is reportedly feeling no discomfort, though the team has not announced a timetable for his return, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone indicated Tuesday that Higashioka will not be returning "anytime real soon," so the team may be taking a cautious approach with him despite the fact that the backstop has been ramping up his intensity of late. With the Yankees' weekend series against the Mets canceled due to COVID-19 concerns, Higashioka could end up taking on extra duty down the line if the Yankees are forced to make up the missed contests with doubleheaders.

Bemboom went 1-for-2 with a solo home run and a run-scoring walk in Thursday's loss to San Francisco.

Bemboom entered the game in the second inning after starter Max Stassi was forced to leave after suffering a right knee contusion. Bemboom took advantage of the opportunity, going deep to right field in the sixth inning and drawing a bases-loaded walk in the seventh. With Jason Castro recently returning to the lineup after missing multiple games due to a stiff neck, Bemboom was essentially serving as an emergency option as the team's third catcher, though he could now be in line for an occasional start if Stassi is forced to miss any time.