MLB Player News

Murphy went 3-for-5 with a walk and scored three times in Saturday's 12-inning victory over Boston.

The backstop played all 12 frames in the contest and scored three of Oakland's seven runs. The three-hit effort was only his second such performance this season, and he reached base a season-high four times overall. Murphy's big game came on the heels of a five-game stretch during which he went 1-for-18. He is slashing .221/.321/.420 on the campaign.

Heim isn't starting Saturday's game against the Mariners.

Heim has had increased playing time recently with Jose Trevino (forearm) sidelined, but he'll retreat to the bench for the second time in the last three games. John Hicks will start behind the dish and bat eighth.

Barrera was recalled by the Nationals on Saturday, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Barrera has appeared in 37 games with Triple-A Rochester to begin the season, and he slashed .224/.324/.345 with three home runs, 14 RBI and 11 runs. He'll now rejoin the major-league roster and should serve in a depth role at catcher after Alex Avila (calf) was placed on the injured list Saturday.

Plawecki (hamstring) has resumed running and going through baseball activities, Bill Koch of The Providence Journal reports.

Manager Alex Cora said that he expects Plawecki to travel with the team on Sunday when the Red Sox travel to Anaheim, and the catcher could be back in action during the series against the Angels, which begins Monday. The 30-year-old has been on the injured list since June 22 due to a left hamstring strain.

Perez isn't starting Saturday's game against the Astros.

Perez was reinstated from the 10-day injured list Saturday after he missed two months with a finger injury, but he won't be in the lineup for his first game after rejoining the 26-man roster. Austin Hedges will start behind the dish and bat eighth.

Maldonado (bereavement) might not return until Tuesday, Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Maldonado has been on the bereavement list since Wednesday, and it appears as though he could miss the remainder of the team's road trip in Cleveland. Garrett Stubbs is starting at catcher while Jason Castro serves as the designated hitter Saturday.

Cleveland is likely to activate Perez (finger) from the 60-day injured list before Saturday's game against the Astros, Tom Withers of the Associated Press reports.

Perez, who suffered the finger injury May 3, has been rehabbing with Triple-A Columbus since June 23, going 2-for-15 with four walks in those games. Though he hit just .131 before the injury, the 32-year-old will likely return to the top of Cleveland's offensively-inept catching depth chart.

Grandal (calf) said he feels fine and is sitting out Saturday against the Tigers just to be safe, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

The catcher said he felt nothing more than some tightness in his left calf. Given his comments, Grandal figures to be available Saturday as an emergency backup, but there's been no indication from the White Sox as to whether he is in fact available off the bench.

Mejia went 2-for-3 with two doubles and a run in a loss to the Blue Jays on Friday.

The reserve backstop came through at the plate yet again in another spot start, forging the only multi-hit effort of the night for the Rays. Mejia has now hit safely in four of the last five starts, and while his .256/.317/.388 slash line is uninspiring overall, it's arguably serviceable for a backup catcher, especially when considering one-third of his 33 hits have gone for extra bases (eight doubles, three home runs).

Kirk (hip) will need to appear in a few more rehab games before he's cleared to return from the injured list, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Kirk has appeared in two rehab games with Triple-A Buffalo, going 2-for-5 with a double, two runs, two RBI and three walks. The Blue Jays aren't in need of immediate help at catcher after Danny Jansen (hamstring) was reinstated from the 10-day injured list Saturday, so Kirk will have several more games to work in the minors before he rejoins the big-league club.