MLB Player News

Maldonado went 2-for-3 with a solo home run in Friday's loss to the Red Sox.

Friday night's performance contributed to what has been Maldonado's best season at the plate, as the 30-year-old backstop is slashing .247/.310/.418 with 11 home runs and 29 RBI this year. It isn't an overly flashy stat line, although his sneaky power and consistent playing time make him worth a look in two-catcher leagues given the dearth of other options behind the plate.

Vazquez is not in the lineup Friday against the Angels, Tim Britton of The Providence Journal reports.

Vazquez has just 11 hits in the past 30 games with only one of them going for extra bases. He'll hit the bench for a night off Friday, allowing Sandy Leon to enter the lineup in his place.

Gomes is not in the starting lineup for Friday's game against the Blue Jays.

Roberto Perez will start behind the plate for the third time in the last five games, signaling the Indians may be moving away from Gomes as an everyday lineup piece. The veteran backstop is hitting just .216 this month, but his defensive abilities make him a strong candidate for starts, as he leads the league with 20 runners caught stealing this year.

Vazquez will take a seat for Thursday's series finale against the Blue Jays, Evan Drellich of WEEI.com reports.

Vazquez gets a day off from his catching duties following three starts in the past four games, including an 0-for-3 night at the plate during Wednesday's victory. Sandy Leon will take over behind the plate in his stead.

Gomes is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Giants.

Gomes will get the day off after starting the past two contests behind the plate. In his place, Roberto Perez will catch Carlos Carrasco for the series finale while batting seventh.

Maldonado went 1-for-3 with his 10th home run of the season in Tuesday's loss to the Nationals.

The defensive-minded backstop is putting together his best offensive season as a major leaguer. The 30-year-old has already set a career high in homers with 10, and he is just three RBI away from doing the same in that category. Maldonado's .245 batting average and poor lineup placement holds him back in standard leagues, but he has done enough in terms of power to remain relevant in deep two-catcher formats.

Vazquez is out of Tuesday's lineup against the Blue Jays, Tim Britton of The Providence Journal reports.

He had started five of the last six games, notching three hits over that span. Sandy Leon will start behind the dish and hit eighth against lefty J.A. Happ.

Sanchez is out of the lineup Monday against the Twins, Pete Caldera of The Record reports.

After he was behind the dish for the second half of Sunday's doubleheader with the Red Sox, Sanchez will be given a breather for the series opener with the Twins as Austin Romine checks in behind the plate. Sanchez finds himself sitting for the second time in three contests following a string of 10 consecutive starts.

Perez will continue getting more defensive rest than he has in previous seasons in an effort to avoid a late-season offensive slump, Rustin Dodd of The Kansas City Star reports.

Perez is on pace to catch 1,083 innings in 2017, his fewest since dealing with a knee injury in 2012. With the Royals now thinking a playoff berth is possible, manager Ned Yost wants to ensure Perez's bat is not suffering down the stretch -- like it has in recent years -- due to the stress of catching. "It takes a wear and tear," Yost said of the position. "Especially somebody that's as big and physical as he is. There's benefits to just trying to keep him fresh." Luckily for owners of the 27-year-old, Perez has already logged a career-high 10 starts as the DH, so it doesn't appear his plate appearances will suffer much.

Narvaez went 1-for-1 with a two-run homer and a walk Sunday against the Mariners.

Narvaez doubled his career home run total with his first of the season off righty Andrew Moore. The 25-year-old catcher has just four extra-base hits in 48 games, so he's not in the lineup for his bat. In fact, he was lifted for a pinch hitter in the sixth inning despite his productive day at the plate.