MLB Player News

Perez sprained his right ankle during Friday's loss to the Rockies and left the ballpark following the game wearing a walking boot and with crutches, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.

That's not a good sign for the Rangers, who are dealing with a slew of injuries right now. If Perez lands on the disabled list, Jose Trevino, who filled in after Perez left Friday's game, will get more opportunities as the primary backup to Robinson Chirinos.

Perez was forced to leave Friday's game against the Rockies with a right ankle sprain, T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com reports.

Perez will be reevaluated Saturday, but the Rangers can't afford to be without a second catcher for long. X-rays were negative, but unless he heals significantly overnight, Perez is likely headed for the disabled list just so the Rangers can ensure they have a second catcher on hand for the next few days.

Thaiss was placed on the temporary inactive list at Triple-A Salt Lake on Tuesday.

The reason behind Thaiss' absence is unclear, nor is it known when the Angels expect him to rejoin the Triple-A affiliate. The temporary hiatus comes in the midst of a hot stretch at the plate for the first baseman, who had racked up five extra-base hits as part of a 13-for-32 (.406) showing over the previous seven contests. Thaiss is slashing a healthy .338/.376/.600 while striking out only 11 times in 85 plate appearances (12.9 percent) since earning a promotion to the Pacific Coast League in late May.

Smith has gone 9-for-36 with two home runs, four RBI, seven walks and 11 strikeouts in 11 games since returning from the 7-day disabled list.

After a four-week stint on the DL, Smith returned June 3 and has since hit .250/.372/.444 -- numbers pretty well in line with his season stats (.254/.345/.446). The 32nd overall pick in 2016, Smith has made 15 starts behind the plate this year and 14 at third base.

Trevino was called up from Double-A Frisco prior to Friday's game against the Rockies, TR Sullivan of MLB.com reports.

Trevino was a late addition to the active roster, joining the team to supply catching depth since Robinson Chirinos was given a one-game suspension that he will serve during Friday's affair. Expect to see Trevino shipped back to the minors Saturday.

Maldonado is not in the lineup against Oakland on Friday, Julian McWilliams of The Athletic reports.

Maldonado will take the night off after going 1-for-5 with a run scored and three strikeouts during Wednesday's game in Seattle. In his place, Jose Briceno will catch Tyler Skaggs for the series opener.

Sanchez was recently released by the Giants, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Sanchez suffered a concussion in May and later revealed that it was his eighth concussion. Sadly, it seems the 28-year-old's catching days are over, and his playing career may be done as well. He hit .241/.326/.329 in 24 games with Triple-A Sacramento before being released.

Hedges (elbow), who is in the midst of a rehab assignment at High-A Lake Elsinore, could be activated from the 10-day disabled list ahead of the Padres' two-game set against the Athletics that begins Tuesday, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

After being pulled off his rehab assignment three weeks earlier when he experienced a hyperextension of his elbow, Hedges was cleared to return to game action in the minors Tuesday. The 25-year-old has played each of the last three days for the affiliate, culminating in him catching seven innings and going 2-for-2 at the dish Thursday. Hedges will likely need to log a full game behind the plate some point over the weekend before being reinstated from the DL, at which point he would presumably reclaim primary catching duties for the big club. Prior to landing on the DL, Hedges was hitting .173/.235/.293 while striking out in 37 percent of his plate appearances.

Sanchez is starting at catcher and hitting cleanup Thursday against the Rays, Mike Mazzeo of the New York Daily News reports.

As expected, Sanchez is back in the starting lineup for Thursday's series opener after receiving a three-day breather amidst a tough stretch at the plate (.075/.197/.094 across his last 15 games). The backstop will face lefty Blake Snell in his return to action.

McCann (illness) will catch and bat seventh in the order against Minnesota on Thursday, Evan Woodbery of MLive Media Group reports.

McCann will settle in behind the plate after missing the past three contests due to the flu. Through 50 games this year, the 28-year-old is hitting .242/.299/.355 with four home runs and 20 RBI.