MLB Player News

Perez went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's 7-3 win over the Angels.

That's now three homers in the last three games and a career-high 19 on the season for the 30-year-old backstop. In fact, Perez is only two more long balls away from doubling his career total, as he came into the year with 21. His .240/.325/.490 slash line limits his value in shallow fantasy formats, but as long as he keeps taking advantage of the juiced ball, he'll have a spot on active rosters in most leagues.

Maldonado went 1-for-3 with a solo home run, two runs scored and a walk in Friday's 10-2 win over the Mariners.

Maldonado started behind the dish for the second consecutive game and provided the third of six Astros homers on the night. The catcher has seven homers, 29 runs scored and 18 RBI in 80 games between the Royals, Cubs and Astros this season. Maldonado is not expected to overtake Robinson Chirinos for the majority of starts, but he provides a solid veteran depth option off the bench for the Astros.

Hedges isn't in the starting lineup for Friday's game against the Dodgers.

Hedges will head to the bench after going 0-for-2 with a walk in Thursday's series opener. Francisco Mejia is set to handle the catching duties and hit seventh in Hedges' absence.

Garver isn't in the starting lineup for Friday's game against the Royals, Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Garver will take a seat for the second straight day. As a result, Jason Castro gets the call behind the plate and is set to bat eighth.

Stubbs was recalled from Triple-A Round Rock on Friday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Stubbs is set to serve as the backup catcher Friday evening after the Astros announced that Robinson Chirinos is unavailable due to shoulder soreness. Stubbs has appeared in eight games this season for Houston and is 4-for-25 with two RBI and a stolen base over that brief stretch.

Manager Aaron Boone said Friday that Sanchez (groin) is "very close to being an option," Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Sanchez has been going through fielding and catching drills and will do some on-field running Saturday. According to Lindsey Adler of The Athletic, the 26-year-old said he has no pain or discomfort and also caught a bullpen session. A return sometime next week appears to be a possibility for the Yankees' catcher.

Narvaez is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Astros, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

Navaez will head to the bench for the third time in the last four games despite having a .934 OPS since the start of July. Tom Murphy grabs another start behind the plate in his absence.

Vazquez (knee) is starting at catcher and batting eighth Friday versus the Yankees, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Vazquez was held out of Thursday's starting nine due to a bruised knee, but he's good to go after a day of rest. The 28-year-old has a .508 OPS in his last 17 games and will look to break out of the funk against New York.

Thaiss remains on the bench Friday against Cleveland.

Thaiss owns a .244/.306/.600 slash line with five homers in his first 15 career games. He'll sit for the second straight game Friday, with David Fletcher at third base and Luis Rengifo at second.

Zavala was recalled from Triple-A Charlotte on Friday.

Zavala made his major-league debut in late May and went 1-for-9 during his three-game stint in the big leagues. The 25-year-old will serve as the reserve backstop to James McCann with Welington Castillo headed to the bereavement list.