MLB Player News

Maldonado (foot) will start at catcher and bat eighth Sunday against the Twins.

Maldonado was on the bench Saturday due to a left foot injury, but the day off was apparently all he needed to heal up. Assuming he makes it out of Sunday's contest without any setbacks, he should be ready to handle a full workload behind the plate during the upcoming week.

McCann, who is out of the lineup Sunday against the Indians, is dealing with the flu, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

McCann was scheduled to receive the day off in the series finale regardless of his health, so it's not expected that the illness will be the direct cause of any missed starts. He'll be in uniform for Sunday's game and said that he would be available to pinch hit if needed, despite feeling under the weather. John Hicks will be behind the plate in the series finale.

Gomes is out of the lineup Sunday against the Tigers, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Gomes will sit in favor of Roberto Perez for the second time this series, but the former still seems to be the top option on the depth chart at catcher. The 30-year-old has posted a .705 OPS for the season, giving him a 268-point edge over Perez, who has struck out in 38.8 percent of his plate appearances.

McCann is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Indians.

McCann will retreat to the bench in favor of John Hicks after starting the last two games. The Tigers seem committed to getting Hicks regular at-bats, and with Miguel Cabrera back from the disabled list and playing first base most days, that could mean a slight dip in playing time for McCann moving forward. The 27-year-old is slashing .242/.299/.355 this season.

Vazquez is out of the lineup Sunday against the White Sox, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Vazquez's playing time looked to be on the decline about a week ago, but he's since resurfaced as the Red Sox's primary backstop, starting four of the past five games behind the plate before taking a seat Sunday. With Vazquez going 5-for-14 with a home run and two walks over those four contests, it still looks he'll see the larger share of time behind the plate for Boston. Sandy Leon will catch for Rick Porcello in the series finale, however.

Stassi went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and two runs scored Saturday against the Rangers.

Stassi got a chance to start with the Astros giving Brian McCann a day off after he returned from the disabled list Friday. Stassi took advantage by hitting his sixth home run of the season, this one coming against left-hander Mike Minor. That continued Stassi's trend of crushing left-handed pitching, as he entered Saturday's game with a .595 slugging percentage against them in 42 at-bats this season.

Narvaez will get another day off Saturday against the Red Sox.

Narvaez has played in just three of Chicago's last seven games, going 3-for-10 with a double and a walk. Kevan Smith will bat fifth and take over behind the dish in his absence.

Garver isn't in Saturday's lineup against the Twins, Brandon Warne of ZoneCoverage.com reports.

Garver was dealing with a bruised quadriceps a few days ago, although this seems to be a scheduled off day for the 27-year-old backstop. Bobby Wilson is slated to bat ninth in his stead.

Maldonado (foot) isn't in Saturday's starting lineup against the Twins, Maria Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Maldonado will get a day to rest after fouling a ball off his left foot in Friday's tilt. Manager Mike Scioscia stated Maldonado is fine, but he was spotted limping into the clubhouse Saturday morning, J.P. Hoornstra of the Los Angeles Daily News reports, so he'll be considered day-to-day. Jose Briceno is penciled into the lineup in his place.

Stassi will be the starting catcher Saturday against Texas, Hunter Atkins of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Starting backstop Brian McCann was activated off the disabled list and played Friday, so he'll get a break Saturday. Stassi could also start Sunday with the Rangers scheduled to throw the left-handed Matt Moore. Stassi is crushing southpaws this season with a 1.030 OPS.