MLB Player News

Perez went 2-for-5 with a two-run single and a run in a win over the Red Sox on Monday.

Operating out of the bottom of the order, Perez came through with a clutch single in the fourth inning that brought the Rays to within a run after an early 4-0 deficit. The backup catcher has made his presence felt with the bat in recent games, as he provided what turned out to be a game-winning sacrifice fly Friday against the Yankees and then laced a walkoff single versus New York on Sunday as well. Given that primary backstop Mike Zunino is now slashing an unsightly .097/.222/.226 over his first 13 games, it's conceivable the left-handed hitting Perez sees more opportunities against right-handed pitching with the short season restricting how long managers can give struggling players a chance to break out of slumps.

Nola (hand) went 1-for-5 in Monday's 10-2 win over the Rangers.

Nola missed two games with the hand injury, but he returned Monday. He's hit safely in his last four starts, going 7-for-16 in that span. The 30-year-old catcher is hitting .308/.372/.538 with a homer, seven RBI and four runs scored in 12 contests this year. With Tom Murphy (foot) on the injured list, Nola figures to see most of the playing time behind the dish.

Maldonado went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Monday's 6-4 win over the Giants.

Maldonado's first homer of the year gave the Astros a 6-0 lead in the sixth inning. He's picked up eight RBI, four runs scored and a .194 batting average in 13 contests this season. The 33-year-old will likely continue to see most of the time behind the dish

Nola (hand) is starting Monday against the Rangers.

Nola was on the bench for two consecutive games after being hit by a pitch in Friday's contest. However, he'll reclaim his spot behind the dish and bat fifth Monday. Nola is hitting .324/.395/.588 with six extra-base hits and seven RBI this season.

Vazquez isn't starting Monday against the Rays.

Vazquez had started in the past 10 games for Boston, but he'll take a seat after going 1-for-11 with one RBI and seven strikeouts over the past three games. Kevin Plawecki will step in behind the dish and bat sixth Monday.

Garver isn't in the lineup Monday against the Brewers.

Garver's bat has been cold to begin the season, and he'll take a seat for the second consecutive game Monday. Alex Avila will start at catcher once again, batting ninth.

McCann went 3-for-4 with a solo home run and an RBI single in Sunday's 5-4 extra-inning loss to Cleveland.

McCann went yard in the sixth inning off Cleveland starter Shane Bieber. In the 10th inning, McCann got the White Sox within a run with an RBI single before he was replaced by pinch runner Ryan Goins. The 30-year-old McCann has done well in limited time this year, slashing .360/.407/.720 with three homers, five RBI and five runs scored across 27 plate appearances.

Nola (hand) is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rockies, Lauren Smith of The Tacoma News Tribune reports.

Nola's injured hand remains tender after he hurt it in Friday's series opener, but he'll still be available off the bench in an emergency, which suggests the Mariners are optimistic he'll avoid a trip to the injured list. Joe Hudson will step in behind the dish for a second straight day in his stead.

Murphy is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Astros.

Austin Allen will step in behind the plate while Murphy gets some maintenance after catching each of the Athletics' past three games. The rookie has yet to catch fire at the plate through 12 games this season, batting 5-for-30 with 13 strikeouts.

Garver is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Royals.

After an 0-for-5 showing in Saturday's 9-6 loss, Garver's batting average has now slipped below .100 over 32 at-bats on the season. Alex Avila will catch Jose Berrios in the series finale and could see more work if Garver fails to break out of the offensive funk in the near future.