MLB Player News

Perez (knee) was activated from the 10-day disabled list Tuesday.

After he logged consecutive rehab games behind the plate, the Royals deemed Perez healthy enough to return from the disabled list. He may be eased back into action given the nature of his injury, but he will likely take on his normal heavy workload relatively soon. To make room for him on the active roster, Cameron Gallagher was sent back to the minors.

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 straight games behind the dish, going 4-for-12 with a pair of RBI over that stretch. In his place, Roberto Perez will start at catcher and hit seventh.

Vazquez is out of the lineup Tuesday against the Blue Jays, Sean McAdam of BostonSportsJournal.com reports.

Vazquez doubled in Sunday's contest, but his batting average on the season still sits at a lowly .211 mark. He'll head to the bench for a night off, allowing Sandy Leon to pick up a start behind the plate.

Gomes went 3-for-5 and drove in a run Sunday as the Indians defeated the Orioles 7-3.

Although Gomes has started the majority of Cleveland's games behind the dish, it's not uncommon for him to share time with Roberto Perez. Despite this, he's been effective when in the lineup and has hit .261 with three home runs. However, that batting average may not be sustainable, as he's struck out in 34 percent of his plate appearances.

Sanchez went 1-for-3 with a walk and two runs scored Sunday against the Blue Jays.

Saturday's day off seemed to benefit Sanchez, as he hit his fifth double of the season and scored twice in his return to the lineup. Although he's gotten off to a slow start to the season and is hitting .188 with a .614 OPS over 17 games, he's starting to find his rhythm at the dish. Over his last seven games, he's gone 8-for-28 (.286) and drawn two walks.

Royals manager Ned Yost reiterated Sunday that Perez (knee) is "very close" to returning from the 10-day disabled list, perhaps as soon as Tuesday's series opener against the Brewers, Rustin Dodd of The Athletic Kansas City reports. "It could very well be the next series," Yost said of Perez's impending activation. "But we just have to wait and see."

After initially appearing in rehab games for Double-A Northwest Arkansas and Triple-A Omaha as a designated hitter, Perez has caught in the past two games for the latter affiliate, an indication his sprained left knee is no longer much of a concern. Perez has also impressed at the dish during his six rehab contests, going 8-for-21 with two home runs, a double and four RBI. If Perez is in fact activated Tuesday, he could receive an extra rest day or two in his first couple of weeks back with the big club, but he should take on one of the heavier workloads among all catchers in baseball once he's further removed from the injury.

Maldonado is out of the lineup against the Giants on Saturday.

Maldonado will take a seat Saturday after starting the past four games behind the plate for the Halos. Rene Rivera will again replace him at catcher and bat ninth.

Vazquez is not in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Athletics, Sean McAdam of BostonSportsJournal.com reports.

Vazquez has fallen into a bit of a slump -- going 2-for-18 over his last five starts -- and will have a rest day Saturday. Sandy Leon will take over behind the plate for Boston against Oakland, batting seventh.

Sanchez is not in the lineup against the Blue Jays on Saturday.

Sanchez will get a standard day off following eight straight starts, including an 0-for-4 night at the plate with three strikeouts against Toronto on Friday. In his place, Andrew Romine will catch and bat eighth.

McCann is not in the lineup for the second game of Friday's doubleheader against the Royals, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

McCann will get the night off after going 2-for-4 with one run scored in the matinee of the twin bill. In his stead, John Hicks will catch and bat sixth.