MLB Player News

Basallo is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Guardians, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Basallo started eight of the previous nine games but will hit the bench Sunday while in the midst of a 4-for-38 slump (.105 average). Sam Huff will take over behind the plate and bat eighth for the series finale at Cleveland.

Royals manager Matt Quatraro said prior to Sunday's game that Perez could see more starts at designated hitter over the next few days as the veteran backstop has been dealing with a sore hip, Joel Goldberg of Bally Sports Kansas City reports.

Perez will indeed be in the lineup at DH on Sunday, one day after he received his first day off of the season in what Quatraro termed a "mental breather." Though Perez disagreed on social media Saturday that he needed a break, his numbers back up the skipper. Over 81 plate appearances, the 36-year-old has a .517 OPS, which would be the lowest mark of his career by 175 points.

Isbel is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Yankees.

The Royals will stock up some extra right-handed bats to counter Yankees southpaw Ryan Weathers, so Isbel will hit the bench along with fellow left-handed hitters Carter Jensen and Jac Caglianone. Isbel had started each of the last four games but went 1-for-10 at the dish, bringing his season average down to .265.

The Royals transferred McArthur (elbow) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Sunday.

McArthur missed the entire 2025 season while completing his recovery from surgery to address an elbow fracture, and though he was considered healthy heading into spring training, he experienced a minor setback before the end of camp. The right-hander resumed throwing bullpen sessions just over a week ago, but he now won't be eligible to join the big-league staff until at least late May. The transaction frees up a 40-man roster spot for catcher Elias Diaz, who was promoted from Triple-A Omaha.

The Royals selected Diaz's contract from Triple-A Omaha on Sunday.

The 34-year-old posted a mediocre .536 OPS over 35 plate appearances at Omaha, but he'll join the big club nonetheless to provide Kansas City with a third option behind the plate. With Carter Jensen receiving an afternoon off and Salvador Perez serving as the designated hitter in Sunday's game against the Yankees, Diaz will enter the starting nine right away at catcher and as the No. 9 hitter.

Jensen is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Yankees.

After starting eight straight games at either catcher or designated hitter and going 7-for-27 (.259) with two home runs, six RBI and three runs, Jensen will get a breather. Salvador Perez will return to the lineup Sunday as Kansas City's DH, while newly promoted Elias Diaz makes his first start for the Royals behind the plate.

Rogers went 1-for-3 with a double and an RBI in Saturday's 4-1 win over the Red Sox.

Making just his sixth start of the season through 21 games, Rogers delivered his second hit and third RBI. Both of his hits have been doubles, but he's otherwise gone 0-for-15 with six strikeouts. Rogers is the clear No. 2 catcher in Detroit behind Dillon Dingler and won't see enough playing time to carry any meaningful fantasy value in most formats.

Kelly went 1-for-1 with a three-run home run off the bench in Saturday's 4-2 win over the Mets.

The veteran catcher initially received the day off with Miguel Amaya starting behind the plate, but Kelly was called on to pinch hit against lefty Brooks Raley in the sixth inning and responded with his second home run of the year, breaking a 1-1 tie. Kelly has an outstanding .970 OPS through 17 games, which would easily be a new career high, and he should remain Chicago's clear top backstop with Amaya around to spell him once or twice per week.

Realmuto aggravated a back injury during Saturday's 3-1 loss to Atlanta, Charlotte Varnes of The Athletic reports.

Realmuto went hitless in two at-bats before being lifted in the sixth inning Saturday, but according to Varnes, the catcher initially suffered the injury in Friday's series opener during a play at the plate. He is expected to be re-evaluated early Sunday, at which point the Phillies will have a better feel for whether the veteran backstop will require a stint on the the injured list.

Realmuto was removed from Saturday's game against Atlanta due to lower-back tightness, Charlotte Varnes of The Athletic reports.

It's unclear when the injury occurred, but Rafael Marchan entered the game for Realmuto as a pinch hitter in the sixth inning. Realmuto dealt with a sore foot about a week ago, though the issues don't look to be related. The severity of Realmuto's current injury is unclear.