MLB Player News

Perez left Saturday's game in the seventh inning with thumb soreness, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Perez's early exit was considered precautionary, and it's possible he still plays Sunday. It wasn't obvious the thumb was bothering him, as he went 4-for-4 with a home run and two RBI in the contest. He's up to 23 homers in 114 games this season, which has seen him bothered by his thumb at various times since May.

Higashioka went 3-for-4 with a solo home run in Saturday's victory over Baltimore.

Higashikoka recorded hits in each of his first three at-bats, including a solo homer off Austin Voth in the second inning to extend New York's lead. The backstop has now collected three hits in two of his last three games and is hitting .462 over that short stretch.

O'Hoppe will sit Saturday against Texas, Sarah Valenzuela of the Los Angeles Times reports.

O'Hoppe was called up for the first time Wednesday and has alternated between starting and sitting on the bench. He's gone 2-for-7 with three strikeouts in his limited action. Kurt Suzuki starts behind the plate Saturday.

Thaiss isn't starting Saturday against the Rangers, Sarah Valenzuela of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Thaiss went 0-for-3 with a strikeout during Friday's win over Texas, and he'll head to the bench for the second time in the last three games. Matt Duffy is starting at first base and batting cleanup.

Murphy was removed from Saturday's game against the Mariners due to an illness, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Murphy started behind the dish Saturday and went 0-for-1 with a walk and a strikeout to begin the game. He should tentatively be considered day-to-day ahead of Sunday's series finale in Seattle.

Adams isn't in the lineup for the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Phillies.

Adams served as the starting catcher during Saturday's matinee and went 1-for-3 with a run, a walk and two strikeouts. Tres Barrera is starting behind the dish and batting ninth for the second game.

Realmuto isn't starting the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against Washington.

Realmuto started behind the dish during Saturday's matinee and went 2-for-4 with a double, a run and two strikeouts. Garrett Stubbs will start at catcher and bat ninth during the second game.

Stallings will sit Saturday against Milwaukee, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Stallings posted an uninspiring .679 OPS in the month of September, though that's actually much better than the .569 OPS he recorded over the first five months of the year. He'll hit the bench for the second time in three games Saturday, with Nick Fortes taking over behind the plate.

Smith isn't in the lineup Saturday against the Rockies, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Smith started the last eight games and hit .343 with two home runs, two triples, a double, six runs, four RBI and eight strikeouts. Austin Barnes will take over behind the dish and bat eighth Saturday.

Bethancourt will sit for the third straight game Saturday against the Astros, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

Bethancourt's consecutive days off immediately follow a stretch in which he started three straight games and seven out of 10. Francisco Mejia remains the starter behind the plate Saturday.