MLB Player News

Casali doubled in a run during Wednesday's 4-1 loss to the Indians.

The 27-year-old is battling Hank Conger for playing time, and has fared better so far this season. Wednesday's performance could help him keep his slight lead as Tampa's starting catcher. Casali showed great power last season, blasting 10 home runs in just 38 games. Fantasy owners are still waiting for him to break out his first dinger of this season.

Casali is back in the lineup Wednesday, Roger Mooney of the Tampa Tribune reports.

Casali ceded the start to Hank Conger on Tuesday, but he'll reclaim the starting spot Wednesday after Conger went hitless once again. Casali appears to be getting a small edge in the playing time department over his switch-hitting counterpart, although Casali will have to continue hitting better than Conger in order to keep it that way.

Perez will start behind the plate and bat eighth Wednesday against the A's, Pedro Moura of the LA Times reports.

After getting Tuesday night off, Perez will draw back into the lineup on Wednesday afternoon. Perez is off to a rocky start at the plate, going just 3-for-17 thus far after a promising rookie season. He'll replace Geovany Soto behind the plate.

Vazquez is 6-for-13 with seven walks and just two strikeouts in five games played for Triple-A Pawtucket.

The catcher coming off Tommy John elbow surgery has caught four of those games, including 18 innings the past two nights. The starting pitchers' collective ERA when Vazquez has been behind the plate is 2.04, a number that stands in stark contrast to Boston's starters, a group that is last in MLB at 7.32 through seven games. If that sort of production continues at the major league level and Vazquez shows no limitations at Pawtucket, it's a good bet he'll be activated off the disabled list when his rehabilitation stint is up.

Perez is out of Tuesday's lineup against the A's, Pedro Moura of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Perez is hitting just .188 to start the season, but if it's offensive excellence the Angels are looking for out of the catching position, they will be left disappointed, given the options on the roster. Geovany Soto will start behind the dish and hit eighth Tuesday against righty Kendall Graveman.

Casali is not in the lineup Tuesday against the Indians, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Casali and Hank Conger have essentially split time behind the plate through the opening week of the season, and that trend will continue as Casali will take a seat Tuesday after starting the team's previous two games. Conger will do the catching and bat ninth in his stead.

McCann has been placed on the 15-day DL with a right ankle sprain.

Bobby Wilson was recalled to replace McCann on the roster, while the Tigers will likely lean heavily on Jarrod Saltalamacchia in the coming weeks. The results of McCann's MRI have not been disclosed yet, but that should offer clarity regarding a timetable for his return.

McCann (ankle) had an x-ray come back clean, but has MRI results coming and is still concerned about the injury, Matthew B. Mowery of the Oakland Press reports.

McCann was removed from Monday's game after rolling his ankle on first base. The catcher was initially diagnosed with a sprained ankle, but it seems that the ailment may be more serious than initially expected. The severity of his injury should become clearer when the results of his MRI are released.

McCann exited Monday's game after rolling his right ankle on a play at first base, Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press.

McCann was able to limp off the field after stumbling on first base and injuring his ankle, but was unable to continue and was replaced by Jarrod Saltalamacchia. The injury was diagnosed as a sprained ankle, and McCann should be considered day-to-day.

Vazquez (elbow) could be activated when his 20-day rehabilitation assignment runs its course, the Providence Journal reports. His rehab assignment at Triple-A Pawtucket can last until Apr. 28. "Everything points to [the 20-day rehab timeline] being more than enough time for him right now," manager John Farrell said.

Vazquez caught the first two games of the season before serving as the PawSox's designated hitter Sunday when he had three hits. Given some of the rocky starts Boston's starters have delivered, having Vazquez, noted for his advanced game-calling and ability to control the running game, would improve the starters' results.