MLB Player News

Heim is absent from the lineup for Monday's game against the Rays.

Mitch Garver will handle the catching for Dane Dunning as Heim gets a breather. After drawing the start behind the plate for the American League in the All-Star Game last Tuesday, Heim caught each of Texas' three games versus Cleveland over the weekend and went 4-for-11 with a pair of extra-base knocks.

Perez (hamstring) is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Tigers, Joel Goldberg of Bally Sports Kansas City reports.

The veteran backstop will get at least one day off after he was diagnosed with a left hamstring strain following his early exit in Sunday's 8-4 win over the Rays. The Royals seem to be viewing Perez as day-to-day for the time being, but if he isn't cleared to play by the end of the series with Detroit, a trip to the 10-day injured list could be in the forecast. Freddy Fermin will replace Perez behind the dish Monday, catching for starting pitcher Jordan Lyles.

Raleigh went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in a win over the Tigers on Sunday.

Raleigh's fourth-inning solo homer traveled an impressive 432 feet and served as Seattle's final run of the day. The round-tripper was Raleigh's first since June 25, snapping a 13-game drought. Raleigh has had a rough go of it at the plate in July despite Sunday's success, as he's still hitting just .167 and is striking out at a 28.6 percent clip over the first 10 games of the month.

Jansen went 2-for-4 with a double, a run scored and three RBI in Sunday's win over Arizona.

His bases-loaded double in the bottom of the eighth inning provided vital insurance runs in an eventual 7-5 victory. Jansen has hit safely in six straight games, going 8-for-21 (.381) with two doubles, a homer and seven RBI, and while the 28-year-old catcher has lost over 100 points off last year's career-high .855 OPS, he's on pace to shatter the career-best 15 homers and 44 RBI he recorded in 2022, having already amassed 11 HR and 40 RBI in only 58 games.

Ruiz went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and a stolen base in Sunday's loss to the Cardinals.

Ruiz got the scoring started with a solo blast to right in the second inning and plated his second run of the game in the eighth. The 24-year-old already had three more home runs in 75 games this season than he did in 112 games last year. He also had six stolen bases in seven attempts last year, but Sunday's steal was his first attempt of 2023. Overall, it's been a disappointing season for Ruiz, who is now slashing .229/.281/.369 with 10 homers, 33 RBI, 25 runs and a 17:29 BB:K in 313 plate appearances.

Fry went 2-for-3 with a two-run home run, an additional run scored and a walk in Sunday's 6-5 loss to the Rangers.

Fry got a rare start behind the dish Sunday and made it count. He's found ways to get in the lineup elsewhere, primarily in right field and at first base when he's not catching. The versatile 27-year-old is forcing the issue with a strong .288/.351/.423 slash line, two homers, eight RBI, six runs scored and a double over 57 plate appearances. He's not guaranteed an everyday role, but he can provide a little pop off the bench.

Perez was diagnosed with a hamstring strain after leaving Sunday's game against the Rays, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Perez's injury was initially described as discomfort, but he's dealing with a strain. He'll undergo further testing to determine the severity of the issue, and the Royals expect to know more Monday. It's unclear whether the catcher will require a trip to the injured list, but Freddy Fermin and MJ Melendez could see additional time behind the dish if Perez is sidelined.

Rodriguez will be called up by the Pirates on Monday, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Rodriguez had a brief stint at Triple-A Indianapolis last year and has spent the start of the 2023 campaign with the Triple-A club. Over 67 games this year, he's slashed .268/.356/.419 with six homers, 54 runs, 38 RBI and four stolen bases. The 23-year-old has had four multi-hit performances over his past five appearances and will now be rewarded with his first big-league call-up. Henry Davis has seen plenty of time in right field since being called up, so Rodriguez should have ample opportunities to carve out playing time behind the dish.

Perez was removed from Sunday's game against the Rays in the second inning with left hamstring discomfort, Joel Goldberg of Bally Sports Kansas City reports.

Perez went from first to home on an MJ Melendez double in the first inning, and it would seem he injured himself in the process. The veteran backstop will undergo testing to determine the full extent of the injury. Perez has been with Kansas City his entire career and remains under contract for two more years. Royals GM J.J. Picollo told Anne Rogers of MLB.com last month that he has "no intention" of trading Perez at this year's deadline.

Perez was removed from Sunday's game against the Rays in the second inning, Joel Goldberg of Bally Sports Kansas City reports.

Perez singled in the first inning and went from first to home on an MJ Melendez double. It's unclear if he injured himself on the play, but Perez was lifted for a pinch hitter the next inning. The game was delayed by an hour due to rain in Kansas City.