MLB Player News

Vazquez (knee) is starting Saturday's game against the Rangers, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports.

Vazquez was removed from Friday's contest after he took a foul ball off the top of his left knee, but he'll be back in action Saturday. The 31-year-old has gone 1-for-7 with a double, a run and two strikeouts across the last two games.

Heim isn't starting Saturday against the Red Sox.

Heim drew starts in the Rangers' last two games, going 2-for-9 with a double, a run and an RBI. Jose Trevino will start behind the dish and bat ninth.

Perez (neck) was a late scratch from Saturday's lineup against the Cubs due to a headache.

Perez was initially slated to return to action Saturday after he exited Friday's matchup with posterior neck soreness. The 30-year-old wasn't diagnosed with a concussion following Friday's game, but he tested his injury ahead of the contest and wasn't deemed ready to return. Whether Perez is available in a bench capacity is uncertain, but Cam Gallagher will take his place behind the dish and bat eighth in the starting lineup.

Perez (neck) is starting Saturday's game against the Cubs.

Perez was removed from Friday's contest with posterior neck soreness, but the injury wasn't considered serious, and he'll start behind the plate and bat third Saturday. The 31-year-old went 2-for-3 with a pair of solo home runs in Friday's series opener.

Garver isn't in the lineup Saturday against the Yankees.

Garver went 1-for-2 with a pair of walks Friday, and he'll be out of the lineup for the third time in the last four games. Ryan Jeffers will start behind the plate and bat sixth.

Sanchez isn't starting Saturday against Minnesota.

Sanchez and Kyle Higashioka have alternated starts behind the dish since Sanchez returned from the injured list. He'll retreat to the bench after he went 1-for-4 in Friday's win.

Plawecki entered Friday's game after Christian Vazquez fouled a ball off his left knee.

Vazquez sustained the injury during an eighth-inning at-bat, which he finished, before he was removed in the ninth. Plawecki, who is batting .365 since the All-Star break, could be in line for a start Saturday and potentially more frequent starts beyond Saturday pending the status of Vazquez's knee.

Vazquez left Friday's game against the Rangers after taking a foul ball off the top of his left knee.

The event happened during a plate appearance in the eighth inning, but Vazquez remained in the game to finish out the 11-pitch at-bat. He was replaced behind the plate in the ninth inning by Kevin Plawecki.

Maldonado went 2-for-2 with a solo home run, two walks and a run scored in Friday's 12-3 win over the Mariners.

Maldonado had one of his best games this season after reaching base four times and sending one over the wall for the first time since July 31. The 35-year-old backstop has not been able to get it going overall this year. He's slashing just .183/.284/.319 with nine homers, 29 RBI, 32 runs scored and 36:96 BB:K over 320 plate appearances. His inconsistency at the plate has led to him losing occasional starts to Jason Castro.

Gallagher went 1-for-1 with a solo home run in Friday's 6-2 win over the Cubs.

Gallagher entered Friday's game as a defensive replacement in the bottom of the eighth inning after Salvador Perez (neck) suffered an injury. The 28-year-old gave the Royals some insurance during his lone at-bat in the top of the ninth inning by hitting his first homer of 2021. Gallagher has had sporadic playing time but is in line for increased at-bats if Perez misses any additional games.