MLB Player News

Hedges went 2-for-5 with a three-run home run in a 12-4 rout of the Cardinals on Tuesday.

Hedges has broken out with 16 homers in 92 games in his first full season as a starter in the majors. The 24-year-old's .219 batting average has suppressed his fantasy value, but it is actually a marked improvement over the .161 mark he posted across 161 combined at-bats with the Padres in 2015 and 2016. Hedges has shown an ability to hit for average in the minors, so it isn't inconceivable to think that the youngster can develop into a top-tier fantasy catcher as he enters his prime years if he gets his strikeout rate closer to 20 percent (29.0 K percentage this season).

Grandal's lone hit in five at-bats was a two-run blast in Tuesday's win over the Pirates.

The 28-year-old has been flashing his power stroke lately with two doubles and three homers over his last six starts. Grandal continues to sit against southpaws and in day games following night games, but he has produced well enough (.262 batting average and 17 long balls) in a semi-regular role to remain relevant in most fantasy formats.

Sanchez went 3-for-6 with a pair of home runs and four RBI in a 13-4 rout of the Tigers on Tuesday.

The first blast was particularly noteworthy -- a 490-foot missile to left that got the Yankees' scoring started right from the opening frame. It's unsurprising that Sanchez hasn't been able to maintain last season's unreal homer pace (20 in 53 games), but with 25 long balls in 91 contests this year, he's clearly established himself as the game's top power threat at catcher.

Perez is starting behind the dish and hitting fifth Tuesday against the Rockies.

After missing 16 games with an intercostal strain, Perez will slot back into the heart of the Royals' lineup. He is just one home run shy of tying his career high of 22, and with a .278 average, he is on pace to post his best mark in that category since he hit .292 in 2013.

Contreras (hamstring) was seen doing agility drills on the field Tuesday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

The young backstop continues to slowly work his way back from a hamstring strain that has kept him on the shelf since Aug. 9. Contreras should start to ramp up his activity in the next week, and while he still has a ways to go in his recovery, he's headed in the right direction. Barring any setbacks, Contreras could be back with the Cubs sometime in mid-September. In the meantime, Alex Avila and Rene Rivera will split duties behind the dish.

Vazquez is out of the lineup Tuesday against the Indians, Evan Drellich of CSN New England reports.

Vazquez has recorded six hits over his last three starts, but that won't be enough to keep him in the starting nine Tuesday, as Sandy Leon picks up his third nod behind the plate in four games. It's been difficult to predict how the Red Sox's timeshare behind the plate will shake out from week to week, but things have generally favored Vazquez, who is slashing a career-best .290/.331/.730 for the season in addition to providing quality defense.

Gallagher was optioned back to Triple-A Omaha on Tuesday.

With Salvador Perez being activated from the disabled list, Gallagher is returning to Triple-A and wrapping up his first career stint in the majors. In his limited time, Gallagher went 5-for-13 with a home run and five runs batted in over five games.

Perez (oblique) was reinstated from the 10-day DL prior to Tuesday's game against the Rockies.

He only ended up missing 16 games with the intercostal strain, which is pretty impressive for a catcher. Perez was in the midst of his best offensive season since 2013, hitting .278/.308/.510 with 21 home runs in 391 plate appearances. Look for him to play almost every day as long as the Royals remain in the hunt for a playoff spot.

Mejia, 21, is batting .307/.358/.509 with 13 home runs, 49 RBI and seven steals through 84 games at Double-A Akron.

Mejia has had two short stints on the disabled list in 2017, but otherwise it has been another successful season for arguably the top catching prospect in baseball. Yan Gomes has been disappointing with the bat this season, but he is under contract through 2019, so the Indians may look at other ways to get Mejia in the starting lineup next season.

Jansen attributes his breakout campaign in the farm system to a new approach at the plate, and better vision since getting eye glasses in the offseason, Kristina Rutherford of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Jansen began 2017 at High-A Dunedin, but as September nears, the 22-year-old sits one step away from the big leagues. The backstop suggested his current campaign is not a flash in the pan, as tangible changes have made a positive impact that can last. "The last two years I was trying to be something I'm not," he said. Jansen's new approach has propelled him to a .341/.418/.516 slash line over 95 minor-league games this season.