MLB Player News

Perez was designated for assignment Friday, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Perez was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis on July 15 and will lose his spot on the 40-man roster to make way for the activation of Greg Allen (hamstring). Jason Delay and Tyler Heineman will remain the top options behind the dish in Pittsburgh.

Stephenson was forced to exit Friday's contest against the Cardinals early with a shoulder injury, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Stephenson was hit by a foul ball in the shoulder, causing him to come out of the game a few pitches later. He was replaced by Michael Papierski and can be considered day-to-day for the time being.

Hedges isn't starting Friday against the White Sox, LaMond Pope of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Hedges is getting an extra day off after the All-Star break having gone 5-for-13 with a run, an RBI and a strikeout over the last five games. Luke Maile is starting behind the dish and batting eighth.

Grandal (back) was reinstated from the 10-day injured list and is in the starting lineup Friday versus the Guardians, Vinnie Duber of AllCHGO.com reports.

After missing over a month with lower-back spasms, Grandal is starting behind the plate and batting fifth against Cleveland. The 33-year-old has produced a career-worst .185 batting average overt 173 at-bats this season, but he went 9-for-25 (.360) with two long balls, five RBI, five runs and 13 walks over a nine-game rehab assignment with Double-A Birmingham and Triple-A Charlotte.

Nido (forearm) is starting Friday against the Padres.

Nido missed Sunday's game against the Cubs due to a left forearm injury but will be back in action for the Mets' first matchup after the All-Star break. He's starting behind the plate and batting ninth.

Stallings will sit Friday versus the Pirates.

Stallings will be out of the lineup for the second game in a row. Nick Fortes will start at catcher and bat ninth in the series opener.

Gomes will sit Friday versus the Phillies.

Gomes will be on the bench for the second consecutive game as Willson Contreras draws the start at catcher. Frank Schwindel will take over at designated hitter while Alfonso Rivas enters the lineup at first base and bats eighth against Philadelphia.

Knizner isn't starting Friday against the Reds, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Knizner drew starts in five of the last six games and went 7-for-15 with a double, five RBI and a run. Austin Romine is starting behind the plate and batting ninth.

Rortvedt (knee) had his rehab assignment transferred to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Friday.

Rortvedt has been out since May 8 after suffering a left knee injury while rehabbing and has yet to make his season debut for the Yankees following the team acquiring him from the Twins via trade in March. He appears to be nearing a return though, joining Scranton/Wilkes-Barre after he went 1-for-12 with three runs and three walks over four contests with High-A Hudson Valley.

Amaya (elbow) was activated from the 7-day injured list at Double-A Tennessee on Friday.

Amaya missed the start of the year after undergoing Tommy John surgery, but he began a rehab assignment with the Cubs' rookie-level Arizona Complex League affiliate at the beginning of July and slashed .216/.341/.378 with two homers, four runs and four RBI over 12 rehab games. He isn't expected to be able to catch this season but should be available to serve as the designated hitter in Tennessee.