MLB Player News

Perez went 4-for-4 with an RBI single and a run scored in Monday's 10-3 loss to the Angels.

Perez accounted for more than half of the Royals' seven hits Monday, although all four of his hits were singles. The catcher raised his slash line to .290/.371/.516 with two homers, four RBI, five runs scored and no steals in eight games this season. He's likely to be a near-everyday player again in 2021.

Stassi got X-rays on his left thumb Monday, and the results turned out negative, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Stassi departed Monday's game against Kansas City with left thumb irritation, but the initial follow-up X-rays returned favorable results. The Angels' top backstop is slated for an MRI on Tuesday.

Higashioka went 2-for-3 with two homers and three RBI in Monday's 3-1 win over the Blue Jays.

The catcher took Robbie Ray deep in the fifth inning and added a solo shot off Ryan Borucki in the eighth, accounting for all the Yankees' offense on the night as well as his first two homers of the year. Higashioka has also been behind the plate for two straight brilliant outings by Gerrit Cole, but if he keeps adding value with his bat as well, he'll quickly become more than just the personal catcher for the team's ace.

Stassi was removed from Monday's game against the Royals with left thumb irritation.

Kurt Suzuki pinch hit for Stassi in the seventh inning. If Stassi needs more than a couple days, the team may need to make a roster move. Anthony Bemboom is the other catcher on the Angels' 40-man roster.

Sanchez will sit Monday against the Blue Jays.

Sanchez has sat just twice in the season's first 10 games. As with his previous off day, he'll hit the bench with Gerrit Cole on the mound, as Kyle Higashioka takes over behind the plate.

Jansen will sit Monday against the Yankees.

Jansen remains the primary catcher in Toronto for now, though he's seemingly not all that far ahead of backup Alejandro Kirk. Kirk starts for the second time in three games Monday and the fourth time in the season's first 10 contests.

Murphy, who went 0-for-5 in a win over the Twins on Sunday, is now sporting a .188 average that pales in comparison to platoon mate Luis Torrens' .333 figure.

Murphy and Torrens -- the latter filling the designated hitter spot -- were actually both in the lineup Sunday, marking the second time they've both made appearances in the same game thus far. While Torrens delivered his second multi-hit effort in three games, Murphy generated his third hitless performance in five 2021 contests. It's early and the sample size is small, but the disparity between the two position mates is at least worth keeping an eye on with respect to how playing time between them behind the dish may be affected as the season unfolds.

Grandal is not in the lineup Sunday against the Royals.

Grandal will head to the bench for Sunday's series finale despite receiving an impromptu off day due to Saturday's postponement. Zack Collins will start behind the plate and bat seventh for the White Sox.

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

After making three consecutive starts behind the plate, Garver will cede catching duties to Ryan Jeffers in the series finale in what amounts to a maintenance day. Garver owns a respectable .717 OPS through 23 plate appearances this season, but a 39.1 percent strikeout rate suggests he hasn't solved the contact woes that marred his 2020 campaign.

Perez is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Tigers.

Perez started the past four games behind the plate but will take a seat Sunday after going 2-for-9 with one homer, four runs, two RBI and four walks. Austin Hedges will catch for Logan Allen in the series finale.