MLB Player News

Indians catcher Yan Gomes only played in the first game of a doubleheader in Chicago Friday. He certainly contributed enough. 

Gomes, batting seventh, went 3 for 5 in the 19-10 victory. He drove in two runs and scored twice. Gomes hit a ground-rule double in the fifth inning to plate Nick Swisher. He added an RBI single in the eighth. 

He was just 5 for 36 (.139) in June entering Friday's game. He's still hitting just .195 for the month and .268 overall through 112 at-bats with six homers and 20 RBI. 

Royals catcher Salvador Perez was held out of the starting lineup for the first time in 18 games Sunday, the Kansas City Star reports. Manager Ned Yost gave him the game off. 

"It’s a chance to, with the off day tomorrow, give him two (rest days) in a row," said Yost.

Perez can use the rest as he's gone just 2 for 24 (.083) at the plate over his last six games. He's batting .293 overall with three homers and 28 RBI.  

Yankees catcher Chris Stewart is not in the starting lineup Friday.

Stewart will be replaced by Austin Romine, who will hit ninth against Rays' pitcher Roberto Hernandez. Stewart is hitting .256/.321/.331 in 121 at-bats. 

Josh Thole will catch for the Blue Jays with R.A. Dickey starting Friday.

Thole was acquired in the offseason but wasn't called up until June. He has two hits in five games. Thole will hit seventh against Orioles pitcher Jason Hammel. 

Royals catcher Salvador Perez extended his hitting streak to 10 games Friday against the Rays with a 2-for-5 performance that included a double and two RBI. He has hit .316/.338/.425 with two home runs and 25 RBI in 193 at-bats this season.

Yankees catcher Chris Stewart has started five of New York's last six games since returning to the lineup June 4 after recovering from a bout of dehydration. He went 2 for 4 Sunday against the Mariners, producing his first multi-hit game since May 24.

Stewart is batting .357 (5 for 14) with three RBI and four walks in six June games.

Royals catcher Salvador Perez had a nice offensive game Sunday in a win over the Astros. Perez recorded three hits for Kansas City. 

The catcher went 3 for 4 in the game with three singles. He's batting .320. Perez has hit in five straight games and has gone 8 for 18 over that stretch with a homer and five RBI. 

The Blue Jays have called up catcher Josh Thole Friday.

Thole was acquired in the R.A. Dickey trade this offseason, but has been in the minors the entire season. The team has designated Henry Blanco for assignment to make room for Thole. Thole was performing well in Triple-A, hitting .322, and he also has experience catching Dickey.

Royals catcher Salvador Perez hit in the third spot Wednesday.

Manager Ned Yost asked the front office to crunch the numbers and compile an optimal lineup and decided to test it out Wednesday. The big difference in the lineup was first baseman Eric Hosmer moving to the two-spot and catcher Salvador Perez being put in the three-hole. Yost said Perez's contact-heavy approach was the reason for the change. 

He finished 2 for 3 and the team won, so it will be interesting to see whether Yost makes the switch permanent. 

Royals catcher Salvador Perez went 2 for 3 Wednesday against the Twins.

Perez had missed nine games after the death of his grandmother. He went hitless in his first game back and Wednesday's game marked his first hit since May 23. Perez singled twice and walked once. He's hitting .312/.331/.408 in 157 at-bats.