MLB Player News

Narvaez will serve as the White Sox's No. 1 catcher after Welington Castillo was suspended for 80 games, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Castillo's ban for violating the joint drug agreement was formally announced Thursday, and it will be Narvaez who sees the bulk of the playing time in his absence with Alfredo Gonzalez working behind him in the backup role. Narvaez has very little pop to speak of and he's been striking out more early on this season, but he takes his walks and that helps him in OBP leagues (.373 on-base percentage last season).

Gonzalez was called up from Triple-A Charlotte on Thursday.

Gonzalez will surface in the big leagues for the first time in his career after MLB suspended Welington Castillo for 80 games and Leury Garcia was placed on the disabled list. He figures to share playing time behind the plate with Omar Narvaez moving forward, as Castillo won't be eligible to return until mid-August.

Sanchez (calf) is not a part of Wednesday's starting lineup against the Rangers, Mike Mazzeo of the New York Daily News reports.

Sanchez exited Tuesday's matchup with calf cramps in the sixth inning, but the Yankees don't believe it's a serious issue. The 25-year-old backstop should be good to go for the weekend series against the Angels following a scheduled off day Thursday -- he'll be available off the bench Wednesday if need be. Austin Romine will draw the start behind the dish and bat eighth during Wednesday's series finale.

Garver is out of the lineup for Wednesday's matchup against the Tigers.

Garver will get a day off after starting four consecutive games behind the plate. He's batting .235/.316/.294 over his last 14 games and will turn over catching duties Wednesday to Bobby Wilson, who's set to hit eighth.

McCann will take a seat for Wednesday's series finale against the Twins.

McCann will get the day off after making three consecutive starts behind the dish. He's been solid at the plate over his last 14 games, slashing .262/.347/.357. Grayson Greiner will get the start at catcher and hit out of the seven hole.

Stassi went 2-for-3 with a walk, a double, an RBI and two runs scored in Tuesday's 11-2 win over the Giants.

Stassi was one of three members of the Astros' lineup -- Tony Kemp and J.D. Davis the others -- to have faced San Francisco's rookie left-hander Andrew Suarez in Triple-A, so he had some knowledge going in. In three minor-league appearances against Suarez, Stassi had two home runs, so it's no surprise he contributed offensively. It's also no surprise because Stassi's mashed against left-handers this season. Tuesday's two-hit effort raised his season average against southpaws to .519 (14-for-27) with a 1.382 OPS.

Sanchez exited Tuesday's game against the Rangers with calf cramps, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Sanchez drew a walk in the top of the sixth inning and was replaced by Austin Romine behind the plate in the bottom half of the inning. The 25-year-old could be given the day off Wednesday with a scheduled off day to follow Thursday, although manager Aaron Boone said the team believes it to be a minor issue.

Perez went 1-for-5 with a solo home run in Tuesday's win over the Cardinals.

Perez had a good day all around, as he also threw out two would-be base stealers to end the fourth and sixth innings. Despite missing the better part of April with an MCL tear, Perez ranks second in home runs among catchers in the AL and third in RBI with seven and 21, respectively.

Thaiss was promoted to Triple-A Salt Lake on Tuesday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Thaiss will head to Triple-A for the first time in his career after slashing .287/.352/.490 with six homers across 40 games with Double-A Mobile. The 23-year-old will look to carry his success to the highest level of the minors, where he'll likely spend the remainder of the season. Thaiss could earn a September callup to the Angels if he holds his own with the Bees.

Gomes is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Cubs, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Gomes will head to the bench for a breather after starting three consecutive games behind the dish. In his stead, Roberto Perez will start at catcher and hit seventh.