MLB Player News

Leon went 1-for-4 with a two-run homer against the Mariners on Wednesday.

Boston's backup catcher hadn't homered since June 23, and the .222/.286/.244 line he put up over 45 at-bats in the interim certainly didn't help any fantasy owners. He's proving that last year's surprising productivity (.310 batting average, .845 OPS) was a fluke.

Narvaez will start at catcher and bat sixth Wednesday against the Cubs, MLB.com reports.

Narvaez will be behind the plate for the fourth time in six games, so for at least the time being, it appears he may have surpassed the slumping Kevan Smith on the depth chart at catcher. Neither backstop has been much of an asset from a fantasy standpoint this season, and even with the uptick in usage, Narvaez still profiles as a below-average No. 2 option in two-catcher mixed formats. He's batting .268 with just one home run, nine RBI and 16 runs over 176 plate appearances this season.

Perez (ribs) is out of the lineup for Wednesday's series finale against the Tigers, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

Although Perez had been hopeful to play Wednesday after leaving early Tuesday with right-side rib tightness, manager Ned Yost decided it was best to give the catcher a day off to rest. With the team off the schedule Thursday, Perez will actually have two full days to heal, leaving Yost optimistic that he'll be able to play in Friday's series opener with the Red Sox, according to Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com. During the Royals' current seven-game win streak, Perez has gone 8-for-25 with two home runs and four RBI.

McCann will start at catcher and bat eighth Wednesday against the Royals.

Manager Brad Ausmus normally doles out the starts at catcher versus right-handed pitching to Alex Avila, but in acknowledgement of McCann's hot hitting, the Tigers skipper will reward McCann will a turn against Royals righty Ian Kennedy. McCann is in the midst of a six-game hitting streak, during which he's gone 9-for-20 with four doubles, three runs and two RBI.

Vazquez is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Mariners, The Providence Journal's Tim Britton reports.

Vazquez will get the day off for the series finale following Tuesday's extra-inning loss. In his place, Sandy Leon sets up behind the plate, batting eighth.

Perez (ribs) believes that he'll be able to start at catcher during Wednesday's game against the Tigers, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

Perez felt some tightness in his ribs while swinging the bat Tuesday, so the Royals removed their prized catcher from the game as a precaution. It sounds like he's not concerned with the injury and is prepared to suit up for Wednesday's series finale against their division foes.

Perez exited Tuesday's game early with right side rib tightness.

The Royals are saying that Perez's removal was simply precautionary and that he's a day-to-day case. It doesn't sound like the star catcher will miss much time, but Drew Butera will fill in behind the plate in the mean time.

Perez was removed early from Tuesday's game against the Tigers, Joel Goldberg of Fox Sports Kansas City reports.

The reason for Perez's early departure is not currently known, but he was replaced by Drew Butera prior to the bottom of the fifth inning. Perez was 1-for-2 with a strikeout prior to his exit. An update on his status should follow Tuesday's contest.

Sanchez is not in the lineup for Tuesday's matchup with the Reds.

Sanchez caught the past six games, but he has just a .462 OPS to his name in that span. He'll hit the bench for a night off as a result, allowing Austin Romine to assume catching duties for the evening.

Perez went 2-for-4 with a solo home run during Monday's win over Detroit.

Perez is well on his way to a career year with 20 homers, 62 RBI, 43 runs and a .284/.315/.525 slash line. Both his fantasy ceiling and floor benefit from seeing more at-bats than the majority of catchers around the league -- a benefit of the Royals utilizing Perez as their designated hitter more than ever this season.