MLB Player News

Perez (ribs) is out of the lineup for Wednesday's series finale against the Tigers, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

Although Perez had been hopeful to play Wednesday after leaving early Tuesday with right-side rib tightness, manager Ned Yost decided it was best to give the catcher a day off to rest. With the team off the schedule Thursday, Perez will actually have two full days to heal, leaving Yost optimistic that he'll be able to play in Friday's series opener with the Red Sox, according to Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com. During the Royals' current seven-game win streak, Perez has gone 8-for-25 with two home runs and four RBI.

McCann will start at catcher and bat eighth Wednesday against the Royals.

Manager Brad Ausmus normally doles out the starts at catcher versus right-handed pitching to Alex Avila, but in acknowledgement of McCann's hot hitting, the Tigers skipper will reward McCann will a turn against Royals righty Ian Kennedy. McCann is in the midst of a six-game hitting streak, during which he's gone 9-for-20 with four doubles, three runs and two RBI.

Contreras is not in the lineup Wednesday against the White Sox.

Despite bashing a home run in three of the past five games, Contreras will head to the bench for a night off after five consecutive starts behind the dish. Victor Caratini will assume catching duties for the evening.

Vazquez is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Mariners, The Providence Journal's Tim Britton reports.

Vazquez will get the day off for the series finale following Tuesday's extra-inning loss. In his place, Sandy Leon sets up behind the plate, batting eighth.

Contreras went 3-for-5 with a home run and four RBI in Monday's win over the White Sox.

Contreras put the Cubs on the board with a three-run shot off of White Sox starter Carlos Rodon in the first inning. The young catcher now has four home runs in his last six games and seven this month, bringing his season total up to 16. With 56 RBI to boot, Contreras is establishing himself as one of the best fantasy catchers in the game.

Perez (ribs) believes that he'll be able to start at catcher during Wednesday's game against the Tigers, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

Perez felt some tightness in his ribs while swinging the bat Tuesday, so the Royals removed their prized catcher from the game as a precaution. It sounds like he's not concerned with the injury and is prepared to suit up for Wednesday's series finale against their division foes.

Perez exited Tuesday's game early with right side rib tightness.

The Royals are saying that Perez's removal was simply precautionary and that he's a day-to-day case. It doesn't sound like the star catcher will miss much time, but Drew Butera will fill in behind the plate in the mean time.

Perez was removed early from Tuesday's game against the Tigers, Joel Goldberg of Fox Sports Kansas City reports.

The reason for Perez's early departure is not currently known, but he was replaced by Drew Butera prior to the bottom of the fifth inning. Perez was 1-for-2 with a strikeout prior to his exit. An update on his status should follow Tuesday's contest.

Sanchez is not in the lineup for Tuesday's matchup with the Reds.

Sanchez caught the past six games, but he has just a .462 OPS to his name in that span. He'll hit the bench for a night off as a result, allowing Austin Romine to assume catching duties for the evening.

Grandal went 1-for-4 with a solo homer and two strikeouts in Monday's 6-4 win over the Twins.

Grandal's 14 home runs in 81 games show that his power hasn't gone anywhere, but he has certainly been less patient this season. The catcher's 6.8 percent walk rate is way down from his career 13.1 percent mark, while his 24.8 percent strikeout rate hasn't changed much from the usual 23.1 percent. The drop in OBP has been bearable thanks to a .327 BABIP that's well above Grandal's career .284 mark, but his average could start falling heavily down the stretch if more of his swings start finding fielders.