MLB Player News

Nola is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Athletics.

He'll take a seat in favor of Joe Hudson, who starts behind the dish and catches for starting pitcher Kendall Graveman. Nola, who has reached base at a .400 clip through six games this season, should serve as the Mariners' undisputed No. 1 backstop until Tom Murphy (foot) is ready to return from the injured list.

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

Austin Allen will step in behind the plate for Murphy, who had caught the Athletics' previous three contests. The rookie is off to a 2-for-14 start to the season, though one of his hits was a home run.

Maldonado is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Angels, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Maldonado is just getting a break after catching each of the Astros' last four games and going 1-for-10 at the dish. Dustin Garneau will step in behind the plate in Maldonado's stead, catching for starting pitcher Josh James.

The Royals designated Hernandez for assignment Sunday.

With Cam Gallagher returning from the COVID-19 injured list ahead of Sunday's series finale with the White Sox, the Royals no longer needed to keep Hernandez around as a third catcher. Assuming Hernandez goes unclaimed off waivers, he'll stick within the organization and report to the Royals' alternate training site. Hernandez appeared in four games during his time with the big club, going 2-for-4 with a run scored.

The Royals activated Gallagher from the COVID-19 injured list Sunday.

Fellow catcher Oscar Hernandez was designated for assignment in a corresponding move, clearing the way for Gallagher to take over as the No. 2 backstop behind Salvador Perez. While Perez will see the bulk of the work behind the dish, Gallagher will draw the start at catcher in the series finale Sunday with the White Sox while Perez receives a turn at first base, per Alec Lewis of The Athletic.

Leon is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Twins.

Leon's workload has picked up since starting catcher Roberto Perez (shoulder) was shut down Wednesday and placed on the injured list, but the former still looks to be stuck in an even timeshare with Beau Taylor, which limits the fantasy utility of both players. Taylor and Leon have now alternated starts behind the dish over the past six games.

Grandal went 2-for-5 with a double, two runs scored, two RBI and a walk during Saturday's 11-5 win over the Royals.

The 31-year-old has been off to a slow start as he was 2-for-17 with zero extra-base hits entering Saturday's contest, but he was able to double up his hit total in Kansas City. There's a chance Grandal gives way to James McCann behind the plate for Sunday's series finale since it's a day game following a night game.

Nola (knee) went 1-for-4 in a win over the Athletics on Friday.

Nola made his first appearance behind the dish since Tuesday, when he'd hurt his knee on a slide against the Angels. The 30-year-old has hit safely in three of his first four starts of the season and should continue logging consistent playing time with fellow backstop Tom Murphy (foot) still without a timetable for return.

Perez went 3-for-4 with an RBI in Friday's 3-2 loss to the White Sox.

It was his first multi-hit game of the year. Perez hasn't shown much rust at the plate after missing all of 2019 due to Tommy John surgery, going 8-for-32 (.250) with two homers and five RBI while starting all eight games so far for the Royals.

Nola (knee) is starting behind the plate and batting sixth Friday against the A's.

The 30-year-old missed the past three games with the knee soreness, but he'll rejoin the lineup for Friday's series opener. Nola is expected to see the bulk of the starts at catcher with Tom Murphy (foot) on the injured list with no timetable for his return.