MLB Player News

Perez went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Tuesday's loss to the Brewers.

The catcher went deep in his second at-bat of the season, as he was activated earlier in the day after missing the first 20 games of the year with a Grade 2 MCL tear. Manager Ned Yost could elect to take it somewhat cautiously with Perez and give the 27-year-old more days off than usual at first, but it's encouraging to see him off to a good start.

Grandal is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Marlins.

Grandal is off to a solid start to the season, hitting .328/.423/.552 with three homers in 18 games, but he will get the night off after making seven consecutive starts behind the dish. Austin Barnes will start at catcher and hit sixth in his stead.

Barnhart is starting at catcher and hitting sixth Tuesday against the Braves, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic Cincinnati reports.

Barnhart was originally scheduled to get the game off, but he'll rejoin the starting lineup after Devin Mesoraco was scratched with neck stiffness. The 27-year-old backstop is hitting .250/.348/.417 with two homers in 70 plate appearances this season.

Mesoraco was scratched from Tuesday's lineup against the Braves with neck stiffness, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic Cincinnati reports.

The Reds have yet to indicate that Mesoraco is dealing with a serious injury, so consider him day-to-day for now. With Mesoraco out of the lineup, Tucker Barnhart will serve as Cincinnati's backstop and hit sixth.

Gallagher was optioned to Triple-A Omaha on Tuesday.

Gallagher is no longer needed as the team's backup catcher with Salvador Perez coming off the disabled list, so he'll head back to the minors to serve as organizational depth. He hit just .208/.240/.292 across 25 plate appearances with the big club.

Perez (knee) was activated from the 10-day disabled list Tuesday.

After he logged consecutive rehab games behind the plate, the Royals deemed Perez healthy enough to return from the disabled list. He may be eased back into action given the nature of his injury, but he will likely take on his normal heavy workload relatively soon. To make room for him on the active roster, Cameron Gallagher was sent back to the minors.

Gomes is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Cubs, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Gomes will head to the bench for a breather after starting three straight games behind the dish, going 4-for-12 with a pair of RBI over that stretch. In his place, Roberto Perez will start at catcher and hit seventh.

Vazquez is out of the lineup Tuesday against the Blue Jays, Sean McAdam of BostonSportsJournal.com reports.

Vazquez doubled in Sunday's contest, but his batting average on the season still sits at a lowly .211 mark. He'll head to the bench for a night off, allowing Sandy Leon to pick up a start behind the plate.

Barnhart is not in the lineup Tuesday against the Braves.

Devin Mesoraco will receive his seventh start of the season in Barnhart's place. Barnhart is hitting a solid .250/.348/.417 with two homers in his first 70 plate appearances.

Hedges is not in the lineup for Monday's game against the Rockies.

Hedges, who is hitting just .141 on the season, will head to the bench for a breather after starting each of the previous four games behind the dish and going 2-for-13 over that stretch. In his place, A.J. Ellis will start at catcher and hit eighth.