MLB Player News

Sanchez went 3-for-4 with a home run and four RBI in Saturday's win over the Orioles.

Following a somewhat disappointing start to the season, Sanchez got demoted from second to sixth in the lineup before Wednesday's tilt in Boston, and it looks to have been just the jolt the catcher needed. In the four games since then, Sanchez is 8-for-16 with a pair of walks, hitting two doubles and three home runs while driving in nine runs and scoring eight times himself. He obviously won't be able to sustain that pace over the long run, but it bodes well for those expecting numbers more in line with the way he played last season.

Gomes is out of the lineup Sunday against the White Sox, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

It's little more than a routine off day for Gomes, who was behind the plate for the first two games of the series, going 1-for-5 with two walks and two RBI. With Gomes sitting out, Roberto Perez will handle catching duties.

McCann is batting eighth and starting behind the dish Friday against the Red Sox.

In his first game back from the disabled list, McCann will get the nod at backstop over Alex Avila as the Red Sox send southpaw Brian Johnson to the mound. McCann is batting .286 against left-handed pitchers this season compared to Avila's .100 mark, so he should at least see regular starts against southpaws moving forward.

McCann (hand) was activated from the disabled list Friday.

As expected, McCann is back with the Tigers after missing the last two weeks with a hand injury. Alex Avila has been mashing while filling in for McCann behind the dish, so it's unclear how big of a role the 26-year-old will play now that he is healthy again. John Hicks was optioned to Triple-A in a corresponding move.

Vazquez is out of the lineup for Friday's series opener against the Tigers, Evan Drellich of CSN New England reports.

Vazquez continues to split time with Sandy Leon, who is behind the dish for Friday's contest and batting eighth in the order. In the two games Vazquez started against the Yankees, he went 0-for-7 at the plate with three strikeouts, but he has clearly been an upgrade over Leon thus far in 2017.

Perez (thumb) is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Astros, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

Perez suffered a slight thumb sprain during Wednesday's game that forced the catcher to come out of the contest in the eighth inning. Manager Ned Yost stated that he was not concerned about the injury, but it seems as though the Royals will be cautious with Perez and give him the night off in favor of Drew Butera before heading to San Diego this weekend.

Manager Ned Yost is not concerned about the thumb injury that forced Perez out of Wednesday's contest, Rustin Dodd of The Kansas City Star reports.

Yost hinted he was optimistic that Perez would be ready to play Thursday night. The skipper described the ailment as a "dinged" thumb, and added, "We'll see how he feels tomorrow." Drew Butera will handle the catching duties should Perez be unable to go.

Maldonado will get a day off for Thursday's series finale against the Tigers, Pedro Moura of the LA Times reports.

In his place, Juan Graterol is starting behind the plate while batting ninth. Maldonado went 1-for-3 in Wednesday's loss to Detroit, and has been putting together his best season to date with a line of .264/.331/.384. The 30-year-old will likely be back in the lineup for Friday's contest against the Astros.

Maldonado will get a day off for Thursday's series finale against the Tigers, Pedro Moura of the LA Times reports.

In his place, Juan Graterol is starting behind the plate while batting ninth. Maldonado went 1-for-3 in Wednesday's loss to Detroit, and has been putting together his best season to date with a line of .264/.331/.384. The 30-year-old will likely be back in the lineup for Friday's contest against the Astros.

Higashioka (ribs) was activated off the 7-day DL on Wednesday at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

The catcher missed three weeks with the ailment, and returned Wednesday to go 1-for-4 with a pair of strikeouts. Following last season's breakout campaign, Higashioka is hitting just .214/.241/.321 in the minors this year, but he figures to still remain in line as the next man up if the Yankees need another catcher at any point.