MLB Player News

The Royals selected Fermin's contract from Triple-A Omaha on Thursday.

Fermin and fellow catcher Sebastian Rivero were summoned from the minors in advance of the Royals' four-game series in Toronto since Kansas City will be without backstops MJ Melendez and Cam Gallagher, who were both placed on the restricted list due to their vaccination statuses and aren't eligible to cross the Canadian border. Though Fermin had been playing with the Royals' top affiliate in Omaha, it'll be Rivero -- who had been playing at Double-A Northwest Arkansas -- who catches for starting pitcher Angel Zerpa in the series opener.

Barnhart is not in the starting lineup for Thursday's series opener against the Guardians.

Barnhart will get a day off after he went 0-for-2 with a strikeout in Wednesday's loss to the Royals. Eric Haase will take over behind the plate and bat fifth in the series opener.

The Royals placed Gallagher (personal) on the restricted list Thursday.

Gallagher is one of 10 Royals on the 26-man active roster who won't be eligible for the four-game series in Toronto due to his vaccination status. He'll be formally reinstated from the restricted list for the Royals' first game coming out of the All-Star break July 22 against Tampa Bay. In addition to Gallagher, fellow catcher MJ Melendez (personal) is also on the restricted list for the Toronto series, so the Royals will bring up two backstops (Sebastian Rivero and Freddy Fermin) from the minors as replacements at the position.

Vazquez isn't starting Thursday's game against the Rays, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports.

Vazquez started the last six games and hit .222 with a homer, three doubles, four RBI, three runs and six strikeouts. Kevin Plawecki will start behind the plate and bat seventh.

Mejia will sit Thursday against the Red Sox, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Mejia will take a seat Thursday after he went 1-for-3 in Wednesday's victory. Christian Bethancourt will start at catcher and bat fifth in the series finale.

Wong was optioned to Triple-A Worcester on Wednesday, Bill Koch of The Providence Journal reports.

The 26-year-old was up in the majors the past few days but will quickly return to the minors with Kevin Plawecki back from the COVID-19 injured list. Wong is 1-for-7 with an RBI and two strikeouts in his eight big-league games this year.

Plawecki (illness) was activated from the COVID-19 injured list Wednesday, Bill Koch of The Providence Journal reports.

Plawecki landed on the COVID-19 IL earlier this week but was able to quickly clear the protocols and rejoin the team. Now that he's available, the 31-year-old will reclaim backup duties behind starting catcher Christian Vazquez. Connor Wong was optioned to Triple-A Worcester in a corresponding move.

Gallagher is unable to enter Canada for the four-game series in Toronto this weekend due to his vaccination status, so he'll be placed on the restricted list Thursday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Both Gallagher and MJ Melendez will be unable to make the trip to Canada due to being unvaccinated, so the Royals will need to call up some players from the minors to fill in behind the dish against the Blue Jays. Gallagher should reclaim his role as Kansas City's backup catcher following the All-Star break.

Heim (illness) is starting Wednesday's game against the Athletics.

Heim was unavailable Tuesday against Oakland due to an illness, but he'll start behind the plate and bat fifth during Wednesday's series finale. Over his last six games, he's hit .350 with five runs, a walk and three strikeouts.

Raleigh is out of the lineup for the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader in Washington.

Raleigh will get a breather after he caught all nine innings of the Mariners' 6-4 win in Game 1 while going 1-for-4 with a solo home run, his 12th of the season. Luis Torrens will check in behind the dish for Raleigh in the nightcap.