MLB Player News

Perez went 1-for-4 with a three-run home run in Friday's 11-5 loss to the Yankees.

Perez made a quick return from surgery to repair the UCL in his left thumb, and he was able to make a big impact in his first game back. He hit .254 with an .875 OPS in 19 games in June prior to undergoing the procedure, so he had some momentum that he'll look to recapture. The catcher owns a .211/.254/.436 slash line this season while adding 12 homers, 37 RBI, 26 runs scored, 13 doubles and a triple through 58 contests. After serving as the designated hitter Friday, Perez will be behind the dish and batting third Saturday.

Kirk isn't starting Saturday against the Tigers.

Kirk started the last four games and went 4-for-16 with a home run, a double and two RBI. George Springer is serving as the designated hitter while Raimel Tapia starts in center field.

Hedges isn't in the lineup Saturday against the Rays, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Hedges started Friday against Tampa Bay and went 0-for-3 with a walk and a strikeout. He'll be out of the lineup for the second time in the last three games while Luke Maile starts behind the dish and bats eighth.

Bethancourt isn't starting Saturday against Cleveland, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Bethancourt went 0-for-4 with a strikeout Friday and will be on the bench for the second time in the last three games. Rene Pinto is starting behind the plate and batting ninth.

Smith went 2-for-3 with a two-run home run and a walk in a 5-4 win over the Rockies on Friday.

Smith's long ball off Chad Kuhl in the thin air of Coors Field gives him 15 total home runs on the season, the most of any catcher. Smith is slashing a quality .262/.357/.466 over 305 at-bats with 52 RBI. If Smith continues to play well down the stretch, the 27-year-old could flirt with his career-high home run total of 25 from last season.

Stassi isn't starting Friday against Texas, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

Stassi went 0-for-4 with a strikeout during Thursday's series opener and will be out of the lineup for the second time in the last three games. Kurt Suzuki is starting behind the plate and batting seventh.

McCann (oblique) is expected to be activated from the injured list Thursday against Atlanta, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports.

He went 1-for-3 with a run and two strikeouts Thursday for Double-A Binghamton in the first game of a rehab assignment. McCann should resume primary catcher duties once healthy, assuming the Mets don't trade for someone to slot above him on the depth chart.

Diaz isn't starting Friday against the Dodgers.

Diaz went 1-for-7 with two RBI, two walks and a strikeout over the last two games. Brian Serven will take over behind the dish and bat ninth Friday.

Narvaez is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Red Sox.

Narvaez has gone 1-for-22 over his past 10 contests and will head to the bench for Friday's game. Switch hitter Victor Caratini will take over behind the plate with lefty Austin Davis serving as an opener for Boston.

Haase isn't starting Friday's game against the Blue Jays.

Haase is resting after he went 0-for-7 with an RBI and two strikeouts over the last two games. Tucker Barnhart is starting behind the dish and batting eighth.