MLB Player News

Heim is not starting Sunday against the Athletics.

Heim had a nice day at the plate in Saturday's loss, driving in a pair of runs while logging two singles across five at-bats. He'll get a rest Sunday as John Hicks works behind the dish and bats fifth.

Perez is not starting Sunday's series finale against the Royals.

Perez enjoyed his best game of the season Saturday, going 2-for-4 with a home run, two RBI and two runs scored. Homers in consecutive games have the 32-year-old at five heading into the All-Star break, though he's primed for a bigger second half after being limited to only 24 games by a finger injury. Austin Hedges is catching and batting eighth Sunday.

Perez (back) is not in the lineup for Sunday's game in Cleveland, Joel Goldberg of Bally Sports Kansas City reports.

Back tightness shortened Perez's Saturday and will keep him out of the series finale Sunday. This is the Royals' first lineup of 2021 that does not include Perez, who has been a model of durability the past couple years. It will be interesting to see if the 31-year-old will still participate in the Home Run Derby, or if he'll use the All-Star break to rest and resolve the back issue before Friday's series opener against Baltimore. Sebastian Rivero is catching and batting ninth Sunday.

Collins is not starting Sunday's series finale against the Orioles.

An 0-for-3 effort Saturday dropped Collins' average to .263 in 19 at-bats this month. Seby Zavala will bat ninth Sunday and catch Dylan Cease for the first time.

Heim went 2-for-5 with two RBI in Saturday's 8-4 extra-innings loss to the Athletics.

Heim's RBI single in the eighth propelled the game into extra innings, and his 10th-inning run-producing single forced the game into an 11th inning. Heim has hit well in the absence of Jose Trevino (forearm). The 26-year-old backstop is batting .297 (11-for-37) with four extra-base hits, seven RBI and three runs scored over the last 10 games. He's performed so well that he was recently promoted to the fifth in the order.

Manager Mike Matheny said following Saturday's loss to Cleveland that Perez exited the contest because of tightness in his back, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

The issue arose after the backstop dove for a bunt in the third inning. He was initially able to stay in the game, and wound up clubbing a two-run homer in his following at-bat before later departing. Matheny said that Perez will be further evaluated Sunday before his availability for the series finale is determined.

Murphy went 1-for-5 with a solo home run Saturday against the Rangers.

Murphy got the A's on the board in the second inning when he took Texas starter Mike Foltynewicz deep to center field. It was the 11th round-tripper of the year for Murphy, who had gone his previous 10 games without an extra-base hit. The 26-year-old catcher is slashing a disappointing .217/.311/.414 in 280 plate appearances this season, although the 11 homers have helped him drive in 42 runs, tied for second on the team.

Sanchez is not in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Astros.

As usual, the 28-year-old is relegated to the bench with Gerrit Cole, who prefers throwing to backup Kyle Higashioka, on the mound. Sanchez has cooled down recently, going 1-for-23 with no RBI since the start of July.

Rogers is not starting Saturday's game against the Twins, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

The 26-year-old went 0-for-2 with a walk Friday, dropping his average to .258 in his last nine games. Rogers has hit two homers and driven in four runs in that span. Eric Haase is starting behind the dish and batting cleanup Saturday.

McGuire is not starting Saturday's game against the Rays.

McGuire's bat has cooled off again, as he's gone 1-for-17 with no walks since the start of July. His offensive drop-off has coincided with Danny Jansen's return from the injured list July 3. McGuire was recently named the starting catcher over the light-hitting Jansen, but the latter is starting Saturday and may reclaim the role if he enjoys some success at the plate.