MLB Player News

Sullivan is hitting .292/.318/.426 with two home runs and eight stolen bases (nine attempts) in 209 at-bats with High-A Charlotte.

The 23-year-old has improved his offensive production at each minor-league level. Tampa Bay's catching prospect provides good power and speed for the position as he hit 13 home runs and stole 17 bases in 470 at-bats with Low-A Bowling Green last season. Behind the plate, Sullivan has caught 13 runners attempting to steal in 41 attempts and has also allowed seven passed balls.

Perez is experiencing soreness in his side, but manager Ned Yost said that Monday was a planned day off, Rustin Dodd of The Kansas City Star reports.

Although Perez isn't in Monday's lineup, Yost's comments make it seem like there's no real issue on the injury front. However, this is something worth monitoring over the next few days, as it could mean that the iron-man catcher could get some extra days off to help him heal more completely. Drew Butera will fill in for him Monday and would be the replacement if this issue continues to linger.

Perez is out of the lineup Monday against the Red Sox, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

Perez boosted his case for an All-Star bid with a three-hit, three-RBI performance Sunday against the Angels, bringing his average up to .286 for the season. He'll just be receiving a breather as backup Drew Butera steps in behind the plate to catch for starting pitcher Jason Hammel.

Perez homered and drove in three runs in a 3-for-5 game in Sunday's win over the Angels.

Perez is red-hot in June, now with nine extra-base hits including three home runs over 13 games this month. He now has extra-base hits in four consecutive starts and is slugging a ludicrous .667 this month.

Sanchez (groin) will start at catcher and bat second Sunday against the Athletics.

Sanchez returns to the lineup for the first time since the series opener after the sore groin had relegated him to the bench for the previous two contests. With the Yankees optioning third catcher Kyle Higashioka back to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre ahead of Sunday's contest, it would seem the club doesn't have much concern about Sanchez's health heading into the upcoming week.

Higashioka was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Sunday.

Higashioka was called up to the Yankees earlier in the weekend with Gary Sanchez (groin) hurting, but with Sanchez set to rejoin the lineup Sunday, the team had no further need for a third catcher. The Yankees activated closer Aroldis Chapman (shoulder) from the disabled list to take Higashioka's spot on the 25-man roster.

Maldonado is out of the lineup Sunday against the Royals, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.

It's a routine day off for Maldonado after the veteran backstop was behind the plate for the previous three games. Juan Graterol will serve as the Angels' catcher in the series finale.

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

Gomes will cede catching duties to Roberto Perez in the series finale. With six hits in 27 at-bats over eight games, Gomes has gotten off to a rather rough start to June but still appears poised to see the bulk of the starts behind the dish.

Narvaez is out of the lineup Sunday against the Blue Jays, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Manager Rick Renteria continues to deploy a timeshare at catcher with Narvaez and Kevan Smith, but Narvaez seems to have moved ahead in the pecking order, at least temporarily. Though he'll rest Sunday, Narvaez had been behind the plate in four of the previous five games, collecting three hits during that span. Even if he ends up taking on a greater number of starts at catcher, Narvaez's lack of offense doesn't make him much of a consideration outside of AL-only and deeper mixed leagues that start two catchers.

Sanchez (groin) went 0-for-1 with a strikeout after entering as a pinch hitter in Saturday's loss to the A's.

Sanchez was held out of the lineup Saturday for a second consecutive day, but it's an encouraging sign that he was able to play in some capacity late in the contest. He could return behind the plate Sunday, but with a scheduled off day Monday, the club could decide to hold Sanchez out one more game in order to give him a couple extra days of rest.