MLB Player News

Tigers catcher James McCann broke out of his recent slump with a three-hit effort in Saturday's 7-1 win over the White Sox. McCann, who entered the game with just two hits in his previous five games, belted an RBI double among his three hits. He also scored a run, increasing his batting average to .285 on the season.

It's been a rough return for catcher Yan Gomes since he was activated from the disabled list after missing six weeks with a knee injury, but the Indians are hoping the All-Star backstop can find his hitting stroke, per the Chronicle-Telegram. 

Gomes had two hits in Saturday's win over the Orioles to raise his average to .200 after going 6-for-31 in his return from the DL. 

"He's a good hitter. He'll hit," manager Terry Francona said. "I don't want to say it's inevitable, but I can't say it's not totally unexpected that a guy misses that much time and doesn't have perfect timing."

Royals catcher Salvador Perez brought some offense late in Saturday's contest against the Rangers, but it wasn't enough as the Royals fell 4-2. Perez went 2 for 4 in the game, including a solo home run in the bottom of the ninth to bring the Royals to within two.

The home run was his seventh of the season, but he has been struggling at the plate in recent times. Over his last nine games, Perez has just four hits in 30 at-bats, with two of those hits going for home runs.

Royals premier catcher Salvador Perez is hoping his team will see fit to renegotiate a contract that he has clearly outplayed.

The Royals could play hardball and maintain his five-year, $7 million deal with three club options extending to 2019. But he hopes not.

"I want to stay here," Perez told Yahoo Sports. "I want to spend my career here. That's the team that gave me an opportunity when I was 16 years old. ... I don't like to think about that [contract]. But in the back of my mind, I start to think about it. Hopefully, they can do something different to me."

That distraction could be affecting him at the plate. Perez is 2-for-23 over his last seven games as his average has dropped to a season-low .277.

Indians catcher Yan Gomes received the day off on Thursday against the Royals, after playing three consecutive games for the first time since coming off the disabled list with a knee injury. Roberto Perez will be behind the plate for the Indians. Gomes is hitting .231 (3 for 13) since being activated from the DL.

Royals catcher Salvador Perez returned to the starting lineup Thursday against the Indians after sitting out Wednesday due to a head injury.

Perez is batting just .222 in his last 23 games. His batting average has dropped from .333 to .282 in that span.

He is just 1 for 10 in his career against Trevor Bauer, who is starting Thursday for Cleveland. He has one double and five strikeouts.

Royals catcher Salvador Perez will be held out of Wednesday's lineup against the Indians, the team announced.

Perez left Tuesday's contest after taking a foul tip off his face mask. Drew Butera will start at catcher and bat ninth. Butera is hitting .182 in 33 at-bats this season.

The Royals are the underdogs (+130) against the Indians on Wednesday.

Royals catcher Salvador Perez exited Tuesday's game against the Indians after taking a foul tip off of his face mask, according to FOX Sports Kansas City. 

Perez left the game as a precaution. He finished the night 1 for 3 and a single. He now has a slash line of .282/.293/.435. 

Royals manager Ned Yost told reporters he believes that catcher Salvador Perez will work through his issues and learn how to be a patient hitter at the plate. According to BrooksBaseball.com, Perez is swinging at 58 percent of the pitches outside the zone.

"It's all part of developing as a hitter," manager Ned Yost said. "You can try and tell guys to stop swinging at balls in the dirt. But that's foolish. They've got to get to the point where they trust themselves, they trust their teammates, and they control their emotions in those situations so you don't try to do too much.

"When will that time come? I don't know. But it will come."

Perez is hitting .281/.291/.439 with nine doubles, six homers and 25 RBI in 46 games.

Indians catcher Yan Gomes is in the starting lineup for Tuesday's game in Kansas City against the Royals. Gomes, who recently returned from a stint on the disabled list with a knee injury, will catch his third-straight game.

With the Indians having Monday off, Gomes gets a chance to be behind the plate for three consecutive contests for the first time since his injury. Gomes has just three hits in 19 at-bats since his return form the DL.