MLB Player News

With catcher Brian McCann heading into free agency this offseason, the Braves face uncertainty at the catcher position for the first time in eight years. Manager Fredi Gonzalez indicated Wednesday that Evan Gattis, Gerald Laird and Christian Bethancourt are all in the mix for playing time behind the plate, MLB.com reports.

"Maybe not knowing what's going on, but you give Bethancourt a little chance and bring him along a little bit," Gonzalez told MLB.com. "Go with Gattis and Laird, and throw Bethancourt a bone every once in a while, put Gattis out in left field because we know that he can do it."

McCann played 92 games behind the plate in 2013, including 91 starts and 84 complete games. Gattis made 42 appearances and 38 starts at catcher while drawing 48 appearances (47 starts) in left field, as well as four appearances at first base. Laird was the only other Brave to draw playing time at catcher, making 40 appearances and 33 starts at the position.

Royals catcher Salvador Perez hit his 13th home run in Sunday's win over the White Sox.

Perez went 3 for 4 with a run and two RBI. He'll finish the season at .292/.323/.433. He hit third in Sunday's finale, and one would imagine his performance will see him hitting in the heart of next year's Royals lineup.

For the first time in his major league career, Salvador Perez is getting a start at first base, as Brett Hayes will fill in behind the plate for the Royals' season finale at the White Sox.

Prior to Sunday, all of Perez's 126 starts this season have been at catcher.

Blue Jays catcher Josh Thole recorded a four-hit night Wednesday during a loss at Baltimore. Thole went 4 for 5 in the game with an RBI and two runs scored. 

Thole doubled and drove in his eighth run of the season. He's batting just .179, though that is up from .150 after the four hits. Thole had just four hits in his previous eight games combined. 

Mets catcher Travis d'Arnaud went 0 for 2 with a walk in his return to the starting lineup Thursday against the Giants. He missed just one game after suffering a shoulder injury Tuesday.

The rookie backstop has hit .163/.236/.225 with one home runs and four RBI in 80 at-bats with the Mets. He's just 6 for 44 with no extra-base hits in September, and Thursday's walk was his first of the month.

Mets catcher Travis d'Arnaud is back in the team's starting lineup Thursday against the Giants.

d'Arnaud did not play Wednesday after leaving Tuesday's game with a shoulder injury. He's hitting .167 in 78 at-bats. 

Mets catcher Travis d'Arnaud is out for Wednesday's game against San Francisco with a sore shoulder, ESPN New York reports. The catcher left Tuesday's game with the injury after one at-bat and should be considered day-to-day.

Mets catcher Travis d'Arnaud was forced out of Tuesday's game against the Giants with a sore shoulder. He took a foul tip off the shoulder in the second innings and was replaced by Anthony Recker to start the third inning.

He is hitting .167/.233/.231 with one home run and four RBI in 78 at-bats.

Royals catcher Salvador Perez picked up three hits Monday against the Indians.

Perez went 3 for 4, with a triple and two singles. He also walked, reaching base four times. He finished the game with two runs scored and one RBI. Perez is hitting .291/.326/.428 in 453 at-bats. 

Mets catcher Travis d'Arnaud is not in the team's starting lineup Thursday against the Nationals.

a'Arnaud admitted recently that he's been struggling at the plate, which may be the reason for his absence. He's hitting .152 in 66 at-bats in the majors.