MLB Player News

Collins leads the minor leagues in walks (87), on-base percentage (.408) and walk rate (21 percent), and has an .833 OPS in 96 games for Double-A Birmingham.

Collins, the White Sox's top catching prospect, has made getting on base a signature since he was drafted in the first round of 2016. He may be focused too much on the OBP, which could negate the potential of plus power as he allows pitches he can drive pass by. Birmingham manager Ryan Newman told Russell Dorsey of the Chicago Tribune that Collins was being too selective earlier in the season, when the catcher was hitting below .200 in April, but has been better in that regard. "When he expanded, not the strike zone, but what he wanted to hit, that's when he really took off. He looks comfortable," said Newman.

Perez is slated to continue being evaluated at the major-league level in the wake of Wilson Ramos' (hamstring) trade to the Phillies on Tuesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The promising prospect continued to wield a hot bat in a 10-6 win over the Angels on Tuesday, lacing an RBI double in four at-bats. Perez hadn't yet made it to the big leagues while with the Diamondbacks organization, but he immediately slotted in with the Rays upon arriving via trade last Wednesday. The 25-year-old has hit safely in all four games he's played thus far, going 7-for-14 with a pair of two-baggers. He profiles better offensively than fellow catcher Jesus Sucre, but the latter's defense and experience working with the staff should ensure that they remain in a fairly even playing time split.

Garver is out of the lineup against the Indians on Tuesday, LaVelle E. Neal of the Star Tribune reports.

Garver will receive a breather after going 2-for-4 with a double and one RBI during Monday's victory. In his absence, Bobby Wilson will handle the catching duties and bat ninth.

Gomes is out of the lineup against Minnesota on Tuesday, LaVelle E. Neal of the Star Tribune reports.

Gomes will take a seat after starting the past two games behind the plate. In his absence, Roberto Perez will catch Trevor Bauer and hit eighth.

Leon is not in the lineup against the Phillies on Tuesday, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

Leon will head to the bench after starting the past four games behind the plate. Blake Swihart will handle the catching duties and hit second in the order.

Maldonado made his first start since being acquired by Houston and went 0-for-3 in Sunday's 4-3 loss to Texas.

Maldonado was brought on board to be the Astros' backup at catcher to Max Stassi while Brian McCann (knee) recovers from surgery. To get a sense of how much playing time he'll receive, Maldonado is replacing Tim Federowicz, who made seven starts in 17 games while with Houston. Maldonado has more MLB experience than Federowicz had, so he could get more at-bats, but he's also less familiar with Houston's staff. We suspect Stassi will remain the primary starter with Maldonado getting two-to-three starts per week.

Narvaez went 3-for-4 with a home run, a triple, two RBI and a run scored in the 7-4 loss to Toronto on Sunday.

The lefty-hitting backstop finished just a double shy of the cycle in one of his best performances of the season. Narvaez has had a strong July, hitting three of his four home runs during the month alongside a .391 (18-for-46) batting average. However, Welington Castillo (suspension) is eligible to return from suspension at earliest Aug. 24, after which he'll bump Narvaez back to the No. 2 role.

Stassi is out of the lineup Sunday against the Rangers.

Stassi started the last two games behind the plate, even though the newly acquired Martin Maldonado was available for both contests. While he'll give way to Maldonado on Sunday, it appears Stassi still may have a chance to retain the primary catching role, though it's more likely manager A.J. Hinch will go with some sort of timeshare arrangement behind the plate.

Garver is out of the lineup Sunday against the Red Sox, Dan Hayes of The Athletic Minnesota reports.

Garver will get a routine breather after making four consecutive starts, which included a 4-for-6, five-RBI performance against the Blue Jays on Wednesday. Bobby Wilson serves as the Twins' catcher in the series finale, working in a battery with Jose Berrios.

Zavala (undisclosed) was reinstated from the minor-league disabled list Saturday, James Fegan of The Athletic Chicago reports.

Zavala is good to go after recovering from an undisclosed injury; he'd been on the shelf since July 16. He's batting .227 with four extra-base hits and six RBI through 17 games at Triple-A Charlotte in 2018.