MLB Player News

Red Sox catcher Christian Vasquez will begin throwing on Thursday, according to WEEI.com.

It will be the first time throwing for Vasquez since undergoing Tommy John surgery in March.

“I’ll be nervous, excited, everything. I’m happy,” Vazquez said. “It’s been a long time since I’ve thrown a ball. The last time I threw it wasn’t right so I don’t know how it’s going to feel the first time after surgery. I just hope I don’t spike the ball.”

Vasquez is expected to throw the ball 15-20 times from roughly 40 feet.

The Red Sox activated catcher Blake Swihart from the disabled list, manager John Farrell said on Monday, per Comcast.

Swihart hit .241 in previous stints with Boston this year. He was hitting .311 at Pawtucket. 

To make room, the Red Sox designated catcher Sandy Leon for assignment. Leon hit .180 in 33 games with Boston this year. 

Rays catcher Curt Casali is in the starting lineup for Monday's game. It's his third start in the last five games but just his 13th on the year.

He replaces Rene Rivera, who has started 66 games behind the plate for the Rays.  

Indians catcher Yan Gomes went deep on Saturday, giving his team some unnecessary   insurance runs in the top of the seventh.

Gomes blasted a three-run homer, his fourth of the year, as the Indians would go on to beat the Reds 9-4. It was Gomes' only hit of the game in five at-bats. 

Rays catcher Curt Casali hit a game-winning home run, Saturday against Toronto. 

Casali's second career homer was a solo shot in the eighth inning to break a 1-1 tie. He hit his previous home run on June 17. 

Casali went 1 for 3, getting his first hit since July 5. 

Tigers catcher James McCann is in the lineup for Friday's game against the Orioles.

McCann has been on an offensive surge throughout his last seven games prior to the All-Star break, hitting .464 with 13 hits, two home runs and seven RBI.

Royals catcher Salvador Perez was held out of Friday's Game 1 lineup at the Chicago White Sox, reports Fox Sports Kansas City.

Perez was replaced by Drew Butera, who will bat eighth. Perez is hitting .200 with two home runs and four RBI in his last nine games.

Royals catcher Salvador Perez started his second straight All Star Game and appeared in his third in a row on Tuesday. 

Perez went 0 for 2, striking out both times at the plate. He doubled his career All Star at bats and is now 1 for 4 in his career. 

Angels sluggers Mike Trout and Albert Pujols lead a powerful American League lineup for Tuesday's All-Star Game, which was announced Monday by AL manager Ned Yost. 

Trout will play center field and bat leadoff, while Pujols will hit third and play first base. Together, the pair of Los Angeles teammates have combined for 52 home runs and 111 RBIs to rally the Angels into first place at the break. 

Here's the full AL lineup:

1. Mike Trout, CF, Angels
2. Josh Donaldson, 3B, Blue Jays
3. Albert Pujols, 1B, Angels
4. Nelson Cruz, DH, Mariners
5. Lorenzo Cain, RF, Royals
6. Adam Jones, LF, Orioles
7. Salvador Perez, C, Royals
8. Jose Altuve, 2B, Astros
9. Alcides Escobar, SS, Royals 

Yan Gomes will not start Saturday's game behind the plate for the Indians. 

Gomes has started the last five games and eight of the last nine at catcher for Cleveland. He'll be replaced by Roberto Perez, who gets his third start of the month.