MLB Player News

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.

Jung went 2-for-4 with a walk and a solo home in Saturday's 7-3 loss to Seattle.

Jung launched his second home run in three games, recording multiple hits and at least one RBI in all three contests. He spent the first nine games of the season hitting below .200, but his batting average now stands at .303. Since returning from an absence the Rangers attributed to him simply being banged up, Jung's bat has flourished to the tune of a .412/.487/.794 slash line with seven doubles, two home runs and six RBI over the last nine games.

Chisholm is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Royals.

The Yankees will send the left-handed-hitting Chisholm to the bench for the second time in five games while the team is in the midst of a stretch that has been heavy on matchups with left-handed starting pitchers. Amed Rosario will step in at the keystone in place of Chisholm, who went hitless in each of his last three starts but drew a combined five walks and added a stolen base.

The Royals optioned Tolbert to Triple-A Omaha on Sunday.

Tolbert made the Opening Day roster but totaled just five plate appearances in eight games during the first three-plus weeks of the season. If he rejoins Kansas City later this season, the 28-year-old isn't likely to serve as much more than a pinch runner and defensive replacement.

Duran started at second base and went 3-for-5 with a double and an RBI in Saturday's 7-3 loss to the Mariners.

Duran notched a run-scoring double in the ninth inning, as the Rangers mounted a comeback that eventually lost steam. He might have made the start against Seattle's George Kirby because he has a better track record against the right-hander than the Rangers' primary second baseman, the lefty-hitting Josh Smith. The start may also be a sign that Smith's season-opening slump (.177 average, 20 games) has left his starting spot vulnerable. Duran, who has played multiple positions, is slashing .289/.347/.422 over 17 games played.

Stanton is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Royals.

Stanton will hit the bench for the second Sunday in a row, as the Yankees will give the veteran slugger some rest after he had started each of the last six days while going 3-for-25 (.120 average) with one home run, two RBI and an additional run over that stretch. Ben Rice will replace Stanton in the lineup as the Yankees' designated hitter.

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.

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

After a stretch of four consecutive starts, the left-handed hitter will exit the lineup Sunday while the Yankees send southpaw Ryan Weathers to the bump. Starling Marte will take Caglianone's spot in right field and bat sixth.

Marte will start in right field and bat sixth in Sunday's game against the Yankees.

Marte will crack the Royals' starting nine for just the sixth time in the team's first 22 games, with the 37-year-old seeing the majority of his at-bats against left-handed pitching. He's batting .200 (4-for-20) with a 0:7 BB:K.

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

On the bench for three of the Royals' previous four matchups with right-handed starting pitchers, India's playing time had already been tailing off, but the veteran infielder will now remain out Sunday despite a southpaw (Ryan Weathers) taking the hill for the Yankees. The Royals will go with the left-handed-hitting Michael Massey at second base instead of India, who has mustered a lowly .167/.310/.313 slash line across 58 plate appearances thus far during his second season with Kansas City.