MLB Player News

Perez went 3-for-5 with two home runs, a double and five RBI in Wednesday's win over the Cardinals.

Perez launched a two-run shot in the first and a three-run bomb in the third inning, and he also added a double in the fifth -- all of them against Carlos Martinez. It was a vintage performance for the Venezuelan backstop, who has been one of the most dangerous hitters in the league of late -- he has hit safely in 10 of the Royals' last 11 games while posting seven multi-hit performances and a .446 average during that span.

Plawecki went 3-for-4 with two RBI in Wednesday's 9-1 win over the Orioles.

Plawecki provided an RBI single in the first inning and a run-scoring triple in the third. The catcher has contributed a homer, 16 RBI, six runs scored and a stolen base in 21 contests this season.

Jansen went 4-for-4 with two solo home runs and an additional RBI and run scored in the Blue Jays' 14-1 dismantling of the Yankees on Wednesday.

Jansen racked up 11 total bases after collecting just four over the eight games prior. In a career night for the 25-year-old, he nearly doubled his 2020 home-run output and upped his slugging percentage over the last 15 games to .590.

Murphy is not in the lineup Wednesday against the Dodgers.

Murphy started the past two games and will head to the bench after going 0-for-3 with a run, a walk and three strikeouts Tuesday. Jonah Heim takes over behind the plate for the A's.

Kirk is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Yankees.

Though he'll take a seat Wednesday, Kirk may have inched ahead of Danny Jansen as the Blue Jays' preferred backstop. The rookie made a splash while starting behind the dish in the first two games of the series, going 5-for-7 with a home run and a double. Jansen, meanwhile, has two extra-base hits in his last 16 games combined.

Garver will sit Wednesday against the Tigers.

Garver has been quite disappointing at the plate this season, as his .152/.240/.242 slash line could hardly be more different from his .273/.365/.630 line from his breakout 2019 campaign. He did at least hit his second homer of the year Tuesday, however. He won't get to follow that performance up here, as it will be Ryan Jeffers who gets the nod behind the plate.

Realmuto will start at first base and will bat cleanup Wednesday against the Nationals.

Realmuto has previously made four appearances at first base this season, but he'll be picking up his first start at the position Wednesday. Since Realmuto still not 100 percent healthy after recently missing a week and a half with a hip injury, the Phillies are reluctant to expose him to catching duties. Rhys Hoskins (elbow) is unlikely to return before Sunday's regular-season finale, so Realmuto could have the opportunity to make up to three more starts at the position after Wednesday. That may be enough to allow Realmuto to head into 2021 with eligibility at both catcher and first base in certain fantasy leagues.

Stephenson was optioned to the Reds' player pool Wednesday.

Stephenson saw minimal playing time in recent games, and he'll now be removed from the active roster as the regular season winds down. The 24-year-old showed promise over a limited sample this season, slashing .294/.400/.647 with two home runs, six RBI and nine strikeouts over 17 at-bats this season.

Vazquez is not in the lineup Wednesday against the Orioles.

Vazquez hits the bench despite homering Tuesday. Kevin Plawecki takes over behind the plate in his absence.

D'Arnaud isn't starting Wednesday's game against the Marlins.

D'Arnaud has gone 15-for-40 with two home runs and eight RBI over the last 10 games, and he'll get a breather Wednesday. Tyler Flowers will start behind the dish in his place.