MLB Player News

Bethancourt went 2-for-5 with a double and two runs scored in Sunday's win over the Tigers.

Bethancourt tallied his first multi-hit effort since June 30 and had just his second extra-base hit in his last 20 games. The 31-year-old has had a rough go at the plate this year, slashing .218/.251/.368 with seven homers, 23 RBI, 33 runs and an 11:63 BB:K in 248 plate appearances. Despite his struggles, Bethancourt faces little competition for starts behind the dish since Francisco Mejia (knee) went down with a sprained knee July 20.

O'Hoppe (shoulder) will report to Single-A Inland Empire this week to begin a rehab assignment, J.P. Hoornstra of the Los Angeles Daily News reports.

O'Hoppe has been sidelined since late April while working his way back from surgery to repair a torn labrum. He's reached the final stage of his arduous recovery program by heading out on a rehab assignment, but because of his lengthy layoff, O'Hoppe will likely require most of the 20-day rehab window to regain his timing at the plate before he's activated from the 60-day injured list. Once he's activated, O'Hoppe could supplant Matt Thaiss as the Angels' everyday catcher.

Smith is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Padres, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Smith started the past eight games and will receive a day off after going 5-for-28 during that stretch. Austin Barnes will take over behind the plate and bat ninth Sunday.

Perez was diagnosed with a bruised left hand after exiting Sunday's game against the Phillies after two innings, Jaylon T. Thompson of The Kansas City Star reports.

While serving as the Royals' starting catcher Sunday, Perez went 1-for-1 with a base hit and a run before leaving the contest following his second plate appearance of the day, when he was hit in the hand by a pitch. Fortunately for the veteran backstop, initial scans ruled out any structural damage. Perez could be dealing with soreness or swelling to the hand, however, making it uncertain if he'll be ready to return to the lineup for Monday's series opener in Boston.

Fortes is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rangers.

Fortes started behind the dish in both of the previous two games and appears to have moved ahead of Jacob Stallings in the pecking order at catcher. However, with the Marlins and Rangers concluding their series with a day game after a night game, Fortes will get a breather while Stallings catches for starting pitcher Sandy Alcantara.

Perez was removed from Sunday's game against the Phillies after being hit by a pitch on the hand, Joel Goldberg of Bally Sports Kansas Cityreports.

Perez ran the bases after being hit by a pitch during the top of the second inning but didn't take the field for the bottom of the frame. Freddy Fermin has taken over behind the plate, which forced the Royals to give up the designated hitter for the remainder of Sunday's contest. Perez is likely to undergo precautionary X-rays and should be considered day-to-day until more information is available.

Herrera is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Twins.

Though he'll be on the bench for the series finale, Herrera appears to have moved ahead of Carson Kelly on the depth chart at catcher after being called up from Triple-A Reno on July 23 as a replacement for the injured Gabriel Moreno (shoulder). Herrera has started behind the dish in seven of the last 11 games but has mustered a lowly .296 OPS.

Gomes is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against Atlanta, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Gomes started the past four games and will head to the bench Sunday after going 1-for-15 during that stretch. Miguel Amaya will take over behind the plate and bat ninth.

Contreras is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rockies, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Contreras went 2-for-7 with a double, two RBI and a run across the first two games against the Rockies and will take a seat for Sunday's series finale. Andrew Knizner is starting behind the plate and batting eighth.

Murphy is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cubs, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Murphy started the first two games of the series in Chicago but will head to the bench for Sunday's finale. Travis d'Arnaud will step in behind the plate and bat fifth.