MLB Player News

Tigers catcher James McCann won't be catching anything but some pine to begin Game 1 of the doubleheader Monday against the White Sox.

After starting Sunday, McCann will sit for the first contest with Bryan Holaday taking his place behind the plate. It seems likely that McCann will start the nightcap.

Astros catcher Max Stassi hit a pinch-hit home run in a 10-6 win over the A's on Saturday.

Stassi has only gotten two starts for the Astros, but he's done well in his pinch-hit appearances. The youngster has only recorded nine at-bats this season and he'll be lucky to reach 20, simply due to the fact they need to give at-bats to Hank Conger and Jason Castro. Keep an eye on him in a couple of years though.

Angels catcher Carlos Perez is not in the lineup for Game 2 of Saturday's doubleheader with the Twins, Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register reports.

Chris Iannetta will catch for Garrett Richards in the nightcap, as Perez sits after going 2-for-4 in Game 1.

Tigers catcher James McCann is out of the lineup Saturday against the Royals.

It looks to be just a typical off day for McCann after he started the Tigers' previous four games. Alex Avila will enter the lineup as the catcher for lefty Matt Boyd.

Indians catcher Roberto Perez went 2 for 3 with two runs scored in Friday's win over the White Sox. The lightly-used Perez reached base three times on the evening, providing two singles and a hit by pitch.

Perez has supplied a .351 on-base percentage on the season, but he's not a serious threat to cut into Yan Gomes' playing time behind the dish.

Royals catcher Salvador Perez was 3 for 5 with a two-run home run in a losing effort against the Tigers on Friday night.

A huge hit, Perez erased a 3-1 Tigers lead with a two-out, two-run home run in the ninth inning. Unfortunately, after the Royals took the lead in the 12th inning, Greg Holland gave up a pair of runs in the bottom of the frame to fuel a walk-off Tigers' win. Perez has provided solid numbers from the catcher slot all season with 20 home runs and 66 RBI to go with a respectable .258 average.

Rays catcher Curt Casali (hamstring) hit in simulated games Thursday and could take on live batting practice soon, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

There are less than two weeks remaining in the season, so it's unlikely Casali returns in time for him to get significant at-bats. A week of action might be a reasonable expectation for the remainder of the season.

Red Sox catcher Christian Vazquez (elbow) has reported to Florida for the Fall Instructional League, which runs from Sept. 22 through Oct. 13, MassLive.com reports. The 25-year-old catcher will continue a throwing program, perform some isolated non-throwing catching drills, and serve as a designated hitter.

The Red Sox are expecting Vazquez, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery, to be fully ready for spring training next year. After the instructional league, he'll continue with a normal offseason program to get his arm strong and then report to winter ball in Puerto Rico.

Tigers catcher James McCann went 3 for 4 Tuesday with one run scored and a double. He has now hit safely in his last six games (12 for 23) and in eight of his last nine.

He continued to get regular time during a recent slump and his confidence seems to have grown, at least as far as at the plate. He has one double, one triple, one home run and three RBI in those last six games and has struck out just three times. His OBP is now .312 and his slugging percentage is .411.

Royals catcher Salvador Perez went 1-for-3 with an RBI single in Tuesday's 2-0 victory over the Indians.

Perez's two-out hit opened the scoring in the ballgame, plating Mike Moustakas in the second inning. The 25-year-old backstop now has a modest five-game hitting streak, and had recorded three consecutive multi-hit efforts prior to tonight's contest. Although 15 of his 19 homers came before the All-Star break, Perez continues to provide overall solid offensive production from the catcher position for a Royals club heading to the postseason once again in 2015.