MLB Player News

Vazquez left Friday's game against the Rangers after taking a foul ball off the top of his left knee.

The event happened during a plate appearance in the eighth inning, but Vazquez remained in the game to finish out the 11-pitch at-bat. He was replaced behind the plate in the ninth inning by Kevin Plawecki.

Maldonado went 2-for-2 with a solo home run, two walks and a run scored in Friday's 12-3 win over the Mariners.

Maldonado had one of his best games this season after reaching base four times and sending one over the wall for the first time since July 31. The 35-year-old backstop has not been able to get it going overall this year. He's slashing just .183/.284/.319 with nine homers, 29 RBI, 32 runs scored and 36:96 BB:K over 320 plate appearances. His inconsistency at the plate has led to him losing occasional starts to Jason Castro.

D'Arnaud went 2-for-3 with a two-run homer and a walk in Friday's 3-0 win over the Orioles.

D'Arnaud inked a two-year, $16 million contract extension with Atlanta earlier in the day, and he had a strong showing in Friday's series opener against Baltimore. The veteran backstop has appeared in six games since he returned to full health, and he's hit .292 with two homers, two doubles, six RBI and four walks during that time.

Gallagher went 1-for-1 with a solo home run in Friday's 6-2 win over the Cubs.

Gallagher entered Friday's game as a defensive replacement in the bottom of the eighth inning after Salvador Perez (neck) suffered an injury. The 28-year-old gave the Royals some insurance during his lone at-bat in the top of the ninth inning by hitting his first homer of 2021. Gallagher has had sporadic playing time but is in line for increased at-bats if Perez misses any additional games.

McCann was placed on the 10-day injured list with lower back spasms Friday, retroactive to Aug. 17.

McCann was slated to miss a fourth consecutive game Friday, but he'll have additional time to recover while on the injured list. Patrick Mazeika should continue to fill in while the 31-year-old is sidelined, with Chance Sisco available in a depth role.

McCann (back) isn't starting Friday's game against the Dodgers, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

McCann will be held out of the lineup for a fourth straight game Friday, but the Mets have been optimistic recently that he'd be available off the bench if needed. Patrick Mazeika will draw the start behind the dish once again.

Smith isn't starting Friday against the Mets, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Smith will get a breather after going 1-for-10 with a double, a run, a walk and three strikeouts across the last three games. Austin Barnes will start behind the dish and bat eighth.

Murphy is not starting Friday against the Giants, Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Murphy has yielded catching duties against left-handers to Yan Gomes since Gomes was acquired at the trade deadline, and that will remain the case Friday against Alex Wood.

Stassi will be on the bench for Friday's game in Cleveland.

Stassi hits the bench after making a pair of starts. He's been in a bit of a slump over his last nine games, going 4-for-32 with 17 strikeouts. Kurt Suzuki takes over behind the plate in his absence.

Perez exited Friday's win over the Cubs due to posterior neck soreness, Josh Vernier of 610 Sports Kansas City reports.

Perez was productive early in Friday's matchup, as he went 2-for-3 with a pair of solo home runs. However, he was replaced by a pinch hitter in the eighth inning. The catcher was apparently evaluated for a concussion after the game but was ultimately diagnosed with a neck injury. The 31-year-old should be considered day-to-day, but Cam Gallagher would likely take over behind the dish if Perez is forced to miss additional time.