MLB Player News

Perez was removed in the bottom of the seventh inning of Game 1 of Tuesday's doubleheader with the White Sox due to a sprained left thumb. He went 1-for-3 with a base hit and two strikeouts before exiting the contest.

Kansas City deployed Perez as its designated hitter for the front end of the twin bill, presumably with the intention of having him handle catching duties in the nightcap. In light of Perez's injury, however, MJ Melendez may have to pull double duty behind the plate unless the Royals call up another catcher from the minors prior to Game 2. The extent of Perez's sprained thumb may not be known until the conclusion of the doubleheader.

Jansen will sit Tuesday against the Mariners.

Jansen has now started just twice in four games since returning from an oblique injury Saturday. It's unclear if his playing time will pick up once he's further removed from the injured list or if he and Alejandro Kirk, who starts Tuesday, will continue an even split behind the plate going forward.

Barnhart will sit Tuesday against Tampa Bay, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Barnhart hits the bench after starting five of the last six games behind the plate. Eric Haase will take over and catch for Beau Brieske.

Vazquez will sit Tuesday against the Astros, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports.

Vazquez finds himself on the bench for the second time in three games and his third time in the last six contests. Kevin Plawecki will take over behind the plate.

Perez is starting at designated hitter and batting third in Game 1 of Tuesday's doubleheader versus the White Sox.

Perez won't be behind the plate but he'll still be in the lineup for an 11th consecutive contest. His bat has heated up recently, producing 12 hits, including five for extra bases, while also adding seven RBI and four runs over 43 at-bats in his last 10 contests.

Perez isn't starting the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader versus the White Sox.

The catcher will get a breather after starting 10 straight games, producing 12 hits including five-extra base ones while also adding seven RBI and four runs over 43 at-bats in those contests. Rookie MJ Melendez will get the start behind the plate and bat seventh in Game 1 of the doubleheader.

Huff started at designated hitter and went 2-for-4 with a stolen base and a run scored in Monday's 7-4 win over the Dodgers.

Huff has hit safely in all four games while up with the Rangers. With Mitch Garver (elbow) set to begin a rehab assignment Tuesday, Huff's second stay in the majors is about to end. However, at some point, the power-hitting prospect could be a useful bat for the Rangers. Their designated hitter batting average of .205 ranks 24th in Major League Baseball.

Heim went 1-for-4 with a solo home run and a second RBI and run scored in Monday's 7-4 win over the Dodgers.

Heim was involved in the Rangers' six-run first inning, producing a run on a fielder's choice, then provided cushion in the seventh with a solo blast. It was his fourth home run and first in nine contests. He's been unable to sustain a terrific start, hitting .188 (6-for-32) over the last 10 games. With news that Mitch Garver (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment Tuesday, Heim's days as the primary catcher are numbered.

Sanchez went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and a double in a 3-1 victory versus Oakland on Monday.

Sanchez was the only Minnesota player with multiple hits in the contest, and his sixth-inning 433-foot homer provided the final run in his team's win. The veteran has largely alternated time behind the plate and at DH so far his season, which has kept his bat in the lineup on a near-everyday basis. Sanchez is slashing a modest .217/.294/.424 on the campaign, but he has picked things up of late, going 5-for-15 with three doubles, two homers and four RBI over his past four games.

Grandal went 2-for-5 with a two-run home run Monday against the Royals.

Grandal slugged his second home run of the season in the fourth inning against Brad Keller. It was his first time going yard since April 9 and only his fourth extra-base hit of the campaign. Grandal has maintained a disastrous .176/.292/.255 line across 120 plate appearances, though his 18.3 percent strikeout rate provides some hope that his production will pick up.