MLB Player News

Thole is hitting just .130/.216/.196 in 46 at-bats this season.

The truth is that he's only on the big-league squad because he's R.A. Dickey's personal catcher. Thole isn't even an option off the bench for manager John Gibbons when the Jays are in need of a pinch hitter. Unless you're looking for a minimum-salary catcher in DFS once a week, Thole offers little to no fantasy value.

Casali is out of the lineup Sunday against the Twins, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Casali has found himself on the bench for the last three games, with the hot-hitting Hank Conger forcing his way into the lineup. Conger is only holding down a .260 on-base percentage for the season and struggles to throw out runners, so there's still reason to hold out hope for Casali eventually getting his spot back.

Leon's contract was purchased from Triple-A Pawtucket on Sunday, Brian MacPherson of the Providence Journal reports.

With the Red Sox's two backup catchers, Ryan Hanigan (neck) and Blake Swihart (ankle), landing on the DL on Sunday, Leon was brought in to provide some further depth behind the plate. Leon isn't expected to play more than once or twice a week behind Christian Vazquez, so even in AL-only leagues, Leon's appeal is limited.

Leon was removed from Triple-A Pawtucket's game Saturday, according to Alex Speier of the Boston Globe reports.

Leon becomes an important figure after Boston lost Ryan Hanigan (neck) and Blake Swihart (ankle) to injury during Boston's win over Toronto on Saturday afternoon. With Boston losing its backup and third-string catcher in the same game, removing Leon was an easy decision.

Perez, who is starting Saturday's game, will get Sunday off and will likely get another day off next week as well, the Kansas City Star's Rustin Dodd reports.

He is returning Saturday from a quadriceps contusion, but it sounds like the Royals will be careful with Perez in the next few weeks. He'll sit Sunday, start Monday, and then likely get another day off next week. Still, this only means Perez is on the same schedule as almost every other starting catcher in baseball. In a week or two, he'll be back to playing almost every day.

Gomes is out of the lineup Saturday against the Royals.

Chris Gimenez will get the start behind the plate in place of Gomes for Saturday's matchup against the Royals. Gomes homered Friday for the first time since May 14, but his average is still sitting at .174 on the year.

Perez (quadriceps) is back in the lineup Saturday, batting fifth and catching against the Indians.

After sitting out for nearly a full week due to a quadriceps contusion, Perez will not only return to the lineup Saturday, he'll do so at catcher. His return will bump Drew Butera back to the bench for at least Saturday's contest.

Vazquez is out of the lineup for Saturday's game against the Blue Jays, Jason Mastrodonato of the Boston Herald reports.

Vazquez will take a day off after starting the last two games. Ryan Hanigan will start in his place Saturday.

McCann went 3-for-4 with a triple and solo homer in Friday's 10-3 victory over the White Sox.

The 25-year-old backstop's three hits were a season high, and the three-bagger and homer were only his second and third extra-base hits of the season. McCann was proficient at the plate in his official rookie campaign last season, slashing .264/.297/.387 with seven homers and 41 RBI over 401 at-bats. However, he's found success much harder to come by to date in 2016, as the three-hit effort Friday still leaves his season line at .179/.225/.274.

Royals manager Ned Yost did not rule out the possibility of Perez (quadriceps) doing more than just pinch hitting this weekend during the series against the Indians, the Kansas City Star's Rustin Dodd reports. "Maybe," Yost said. "We're still gauging it."

It sounds like there's a chance Perez could return behind the plate later in this weekend's series, but a return next week still seems more likely. That said, it does sound like Perez will at least get the chance to pinch hit this weekend.