MLB Player News

Perez went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's 9-7 victory over Texas.

Perez has been extremely productive across 21 games so far this season. The catcher now has a .321 batting average, as well as a .908 OPS. The 32-year-old veteran has never been able to put together a full season in the big leagues, so expectations should still be tempered.

Fermin went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Friday's 5-1 loss to the Brewers.

Fermin has hit safely in five of his last six games in which he recorded a plate appearance, and he has three homers in that span. For the season, he's slashing .333/.379/.741 with five RBI and four runs scored over 29 plate appearances. The 27-year-old is serving as backup to Salvador Perez (blurred vision) at catcher, allowing MJ Melendez to focus on his hitting while playing in the outfield.

Perez was scratched from Friday's lineup because of blurry vision, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Royals manager Matt Quatraro told reporters before Friday's game against the Brewers that Perez has been treated for his vision issues and it's expected to clear up soon. "Just a matter of when," Quatraro said. Perez may need to sit another day or two, but it doesn't appear that this will be a long-term concern for the veteran backstop.

Perez was scratched from Friday's lineup against the Brewers.

No reason has been given for why Perez is taking a seat, but it's worth pointing out that the backstop wasn't in the lineup for Thursday's contest as well. Vinnie Pasquantino has moved into the designated hitter role, with Freddy Fermin remaining behind the plate.

Grandal (hamstring) isn't starting Friday against the Astros, Vinnie Duber of AllCHGO.com reports.

Grandal was removed from Thursday's game against the Royals due to hamstring tightness, but the injury isn't expected to be particularly serious. He'll be out of the lineup for at least one game, as Seby Zavala will start behind the plate and bat seventh during Friday's series opener.

Raleigh is absent from the Mariners' lineup for Friday's game in Detroit.

The switch-hitting Raleigh has made just two starts against lefties this season and will be on the bench Friday with the Tigers sending southpaw Matthew Boyd to the bump. Tom Murphy is behind the dish.

Manager Pedro Grifol said he expects Grandal (hamstring) to be "alright" after being removed from Thursday's game against the Royals, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.

Grandal went 2-for-2 with a double before he exited Thursday's contest with hamstring tightness. While the team is still waiting on a full medical report, the initial diagnosis suggests he will be in for a quick return.

Bethancourt is not starting Thursday versus the Yankees, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Francisco Mejia will catch and bat ninth in the opening game of the Rays' four-game series in the Bronx. Bethancourt caught the final two games of Tampa Bay's three-game set in Baltimore.

Grandal is being evaluated for right hamstring tightness after leaving Thursday's game against the Royals, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Grandal was pulled from the contest after running out a single in the top of the fourth inning. Beyond the hamstring issue, he also appeared to be stretching out his lower back following a double in the top of the second. Seby Zavala replaced him at catcher for the White Sox.

Grandal was lifted from Thursday's game versus the Royals with an apparent injury, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

After doubling in his first plate appearance, Grandal singled in the fourth inning but was then removed for a pinch runner. He was seen wincing after the first at-bat and has had a back issue in recent days, so it's possible it flared up on him Thursday. Seby Zavala took over behind the plate for Chicago.