MLB Player News

Indians catcher Roberto Perez said he is ready for the everyday role behind the plate with starter Yan Gomes sidelined 6-8 weeks due to a knee injury.

"My mentality hasn't changed," Perez said, per MLB.com. "I always come to the field ready to play. I pretend like I'm going to play that day, so nothing changes."

The Indians appear to have full confidence in Perez, who was lauded for his defense in the minors.

"He's a backup here because we have Yan Gomes," said Sandy Alomar Jr., the Indians' first-base coach and a former major-league catcher. "Anywhere else, he could start.

"He's a good catcher, man. He's prepared. We're in good hands behind the dish until Gomer gets back. It's a big loss for us having Yan Gomes out, but I think Roberto is going to do a good job."

The Indians are also confident Perez can get the job done offensively. Perez hit .305 with eight home runs and 43 RBI in 53 games at Triple-A last season.

"He really kind of turned it around," manager Terry Francona said. "His batting average or whatever, that's not the end all, be all. But the fact that he's a threat when he's hitting is important, because he can drive the ball out of the ballpark. He has improved dramatically."

The Indians don't plan to seek a starting catcher with Yan Gomes sidelined 6-8 weeks due to an MCL sprain, according to FOX Sports reporter Ken Rosenthal. 

The team views Roberto Perez as a capable starter, but the team could look for an upgrade at backup catcher over Brett Hayes.

Royals center fielder Lorenzo Cain might get a day off Wednesday against the Twins, with Jarrod Dyson replacing him in the starting lineup, manager Ned Yost said Monday.

Yost also indicated Erik Kratz might also get a start in place of catcher Salvador Perez on Thursday.

Cain and Perez have started all seven games, including Monday at Minnesota.

Royals catcher Salvador Perez went 2 for 5 at the plate in Kansas City's 9-2 win over the Angels Sunday. 

Perez got things going early with an RBI single in the second, driving home Kendrys Morales. Then, Perez came to the plate in the seventh and ripped the first pitch he saw from Fernando Salas to left center field for his third homer of the year. Perez has a .417/.440/.833 slash line to start the season.

The Indians announced Sunday that after undergoing an MRI, catcher Yan Gomes will miss 6-to-8 weeks with a moderate MCL sprain suffered during a play at the plate during Saturday's game against the Tigers. 

Gomes was placed on the 15-day DL earlier Sunday, but the MRI confirmed a more serious injury. He was 3 for 20 with a double and two runs scored on the young campaign, but was considered to be one of the key pieces for the Indians in their contention for a division crown.

Gomes hit .278 with 21 home runs last season.

Indians catcher Brett Hayes will join the major-league roster Tuesday to serve as the team's backup catcher while Yan Gomes recovers from a knee sprain, MLB.com reports.

Hayes hit just .135/.151/.212 in 52 at-bats with the Royals last season. First baseman Carlos Santana will be the team's emergency catcher Sunday if Roberto Perez can't go the full game.

Tigers designated hitter Victor Martinez is in the starting lineup for Sunday's matchup with the Indians.

Martinez left Saturday's game in the seventh inning after feeling a pinch in his kneecap. However, he is able to fill his regular role for the Tigers and will bat cleanup behind Miguel Cabrera.

Catcher Alex Avila is not in Sunday's lineup; James McCann will get the start behind the plate.

The Tigers are underdogs (+100) against the Indians Sunday.

The Indians have placed catcher Yan Gomes on the 15-day disabled list due to a right knee sprain, the team announced Sunday.

Gomes suffered the injury in the ninth inning of Saturday's game against the Tigers during a play at the plate. He is 3 for 20 with a double and two runs scored.

Mike Moustakas and Salvador Perez both hit fourth-inning home runs in the Royals' 6-4 win over the Angels.

Moustakas hit a solo shot as part of a five-run fourth-inning rally. He went two for four on the day with a walk and his first stolen base of the year. The home run was his second on the season, and he's now hitting .353. 

Perez hit a two-run homer later in the inning. He went two for four on the day. On the season, he has two home runs, six RBI and is hitting .421.

Indians catcher Yan Gomes left Saturday's game against the Tigers with a right leg injury after Rajai Davis slid into home plate in the ninth inning. 

Gomes was covering the plate on a grounder to first with the bases loaded when Carlos Santana tried to get the force at home. Davis went straight into what appeared to be Gomes' right ankle. He needed assistance to get back to the dugout to be further evaluated. Roberto Perez replaced Gomes behind the plate.

Manager Terry Francona said that Gomes had a right knee sprain, per MLB.com. He's scheduled to get an MRI on Sunday morning.