MLB Player News

Garver (groin) has been doing some light movement but has not yet started participating in baseball activity, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports. He has not had the stitches removed yet from the surgery on his groin.

The team hopes Garver could begin baseball activity next week. It sounds like he's still several weeks away from returning despite the recent progress.

Vazquez was removed from Wednesday's game against the Braves in the seventh inning with a stomach illness, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

In an odd scene at Truist Park, Vazquez went to the clubhouse mid-inning immediately after a flyout and was promptly replaced by Kevin Plawecki. More details about his condition figure to come out following the game.

Gomes went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Wednesday's 3-1 win over the Pirates.

The catcher went yard for the second straight day, launching his seventh homer of the year off Chase De Jong in the second inning. Gomes is having a strong June, going 9-for-34 (.265) with three home runs and nine RBI in nine games.

Diaz went 3-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk in Wednesday's 8-7 win over San Diego.

Diaz had his best game of the season Wednesday. He swatted his second homer of the year, a game-tying solo shot in the fourth inning off San Diego starter Blake Snell. This was just the seventh time in 36 games Diaz got on base multiple times. He has a .165/.233/.257 slash line through 120 plate appearances, and he'll likely continue to split playing time with Dom Nunez behind the dish.

Perez went 2-for-5 with a two-run home run in Wednesday's 6-5 loss to Detroit.

The 31-year-old gave Kansas City a 3-1 lead with his blast off Detroit starter Tarik Skubal in the third inning. Perez has homered seven times through 15 games in June. The catcher is up to 17 long balls, 45 RBI, 32 runs scored and a .287/.320/.533 slash line across 275 plate appearances. He's played in all 67 of Kansas City's games so far, either behind the dish or as the designated hitter.

Hedges was scratched from Wednesday's lineup against the Orioles due to an illness, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

Hedges was penciled in to start behind the plate Wednesday but was a late scratch due to an undisclosed illness. It's unclear if the 28-year-old's availability beyond Wednesday will be affected by the ailment. Rene Rivera will start at catcher in his place.

Smith is not starting Wednesday's game against the Phillies, J.P. Hoornstra of the Los Angeles Daily News reports.

He receives a day off after walking and driving in a run in an 0-for-2 effort Wednesday. With a .371 OBP and seven homers this season, Smith has continued to solidify his case as one of baseball's best offensive catchers. Austin Barnes, Clayton Kershaw's personal catcher, starts behind the dish with the veteran left-hander on the mound.

Murphy is out of the lineup Wednesday against the Twins, Shannon Drayer of 710 ESPN Seattle reports.

Murphy started the past two games behind the plate and will receive the day off Wednesday. Jose Godoy will catch for Justus Sheffield and bat ninth.

Contreras is out of the lineup Wednesday against the Mets.

Contreras started the previous five games and will receive the day off Wednesday in New York. Jose Lobaton will work behind the plate in his place for the Cubs.

Sanchez is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Blue Jays.

Kyle Higashioka will catch for Gerrit Cole while Sanchez gets the day off. Sanchez enjoyed a big game in the Yankees' 6-5 win Tuesday in the series opener, going 2-for-5 with a solo home run and a double.