MLB Player News

Perez went 2-for-4 with a solo home run Tuesday in the Indians' 11-0 win over the White Sox.

The Tribe values Perez mostly for what he offers defensively, but he's also been one of the more surprisingly productive fantasy catchers this season. While his .238 batting average leaves something to be desired, Perez's 24 home runs have exceeded his output (21) from his previous five big-league seasons combined.

Gomes went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in the second game of the team's doubleheader Tuesday against the Phillies.

Gomes took Aaron Nola deep in the third inning to record his 12th home run of the season. He's managed half of those home runs in September, launching his slugging percentage from .338 to .395 in the process. He could see his playing time reduced soon, however, as Kurt Suzuki (elbow) appears to be nearing a return to the lineup.

Stassi will undergo right hip surgery next week and will need 4-to-6 months to recover, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Kevan Smith and Anthony Bemboom will handle the catching duties over the final games of the season. Stassi hit .136 with one home run in 147 plate appearances this year. This surgery could affect his availability for the start of spring training.

Mejia is not starting Tuesday against the Dodgers.

Mejia returned from an oblique injury last Tuesday but has started just two games since then. Luis Torrens gets the nod behind the plate on this occasion.

Realmuto (knee) remains on the bench for the second game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Nationals.

The Phillies' loss in the afternoon game eliminated them from playoff contention, so it's hardly surprising that Realmuto won't be rushed back from a sore knee. Whether or not he returns at any point over the final week of the season remains to be seen.

Garver, who is not in Tuesday's lineup against the Tigers, is dealing with a right hip impingement, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Garver picked up the injury during Sunday's series finale against the Royals. He'll rest and receive treatment before hopefully returning after just a brief absence. Jason Castro is starting behind the dish in his stead.

Sanchez (groin) took batting practice Monday, George A. King III of the New York Post reports.

Sanchez also caught a BP session from Masahiro Tanaka on Tuesday. The backstop has been sidelined since Sept. 12 with a groin injury but is aiming to return at some point during the Yankees' final series of the season, which begins Friday in Texas, according to Brendan Kuty of The Newark Star-Ledger.

Diaz (knee) remains on the bench Tuesday against the Cubs.

Diaz left Saturday's game against the Brewers with a knee issue and hasn't appeared since. It's not clear when he's expected to return. Jacob Stallings gets the start behind the plate Tuesday.

Garver (hip) is not in the lineup Tuesday against the Tigers.

Garver left Sunday's game against the Royals with right hip tightness. His absence was considered precautionary, but he'll sit for at least one game. Jason Castro gets the nod behind the plate.

Grullon will make his first career start in the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Nationals.

Grullon will catch and bat eighth. The 23-year-old has been up for all of September but has made just a single plate appearance. He could get a few more opportunities to audition for the backup catcher job next season with J.T. Realmuto dealing with a sore knee. Grullon had long been seen as a defense-first prospect but has improved his stock over the last two seasons, hitting 21 homers in both campaigns while producing above-average batting lines. He's still unlikely to be anything more than a backup as long as he remains in the same organization as Realmuto.