MLB Player News

Grandal went 2-for-5 with a home run, two RBI and two runs scored in Friday's 10-1 win over the Cubs.

Grandal returned to the lineup after missing three games with a back injury and hit his second homer of the season. He slotted in at second in the batting order while Yoan Moncada sat due to leg soreness. Grandal is slashing .235/.349/.368 over 83 plate appearances.

Caratini went 2-for-2 with a double and a run scored in Friday's 10-1 loss to the White Sox.

While he didn't get the start, Caratini wound up supplying the Cubs' only extra-base hit of the night and scoring their only run after entering the game in the sixth inning as manager David Ross emptied his bench in the rout. Caratini is now slashing .302/.373/.377 through 59 plate appearances, but his backup role behind Willson Contreras continues to limit his production -- he has only three runs and seven RBI and is still looking for his first homer of the year.

Gomes went 1-for-4 with a solo home run and one strikeout in Friday's loss to the Marlins.

Gomes has seen inconsistent playing time this season while splitting time with Kurt Suzuki behind the dish, but he blasted his first home run of the year -- and the 100th of his career, becoming the first Brazilian-born player to reach that mark -- in the second inning Friday. Gomes carries a .687 OPS with six RBI over 10 games this season.

Smith (neck) could return to the Dodgers' lineup Sunday, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports.

Smith has been dealing with neck inflammation that warranted a trip to the injured list, but he took at-bats and worked behind the plate at the team's alternate training site Friday. If he feels good afterward, manager Dave Roberts is hoping he'll be able to return Sunday, the first day he's eligible to be activated. Once he's back in action, Smith should again split time behind the plate with Austin Barnes.

Stassi (knee) was placed on the 10-day injured list Friday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Stassi took a foul ball off the knee Thursday and suffered a right knee contusion that forced him out of the contest. The injury is serious enough to warrant a stay on the injured list, and it's unclear whether he'll have to spend longer than the minimum of 10 days sidelined. Jason Castro could see the bulk of the action at catcher if he's fully healthy, but Anthony Bemboom could see a slight uptick in playing time as well.

Grandal (back) returns to the lineup Friday against the Cubs, catching and batting second.

A stiff lower back sidelined Grandal for the last three games, though the issue evidently wasn't particularly serious. He's still yet to get going at the plate this season, as he's hitting .222/.346/.317 while posting a career-worst 33.3 percent strikeout rate.

Perez's blurred vision, which sent him to the injured list Friday, is due to central serous chorioretinopathy, a condition in which fluid accumulates under the retina, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.

The condition seemingly clarifies that Perez's vision issues are unrelated to any potential concussion, but his return time remains unclear. Cam Gallagher and Meibrys Viloria will continue to split time behind the plate until the blurriness subsides.

Caratini is not in the lineup Friday against the White Sox.

Caratini started the past four games and went 2-for-8 with a double, three RBI and three walks during that stretch, but he'll take a seat for Friday's series opener. Willson Contreras will start behind the plate while Kyle Schwarber serves as the designated hitter.

Perez (eye) was placed on the 10-day injured list Friday, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.

The move isn't a surprising one, as Perez has missed most of the last week with blurred vision in his left eye. He last played Tuesday, so he'll be eligible to return as soon as next Friday, though the Royals have yet to release a timeline for his return. Reliever Randy Rosario was recalled in a corresponding move, with Cam Gallagher and Meibrys Viloria set to split time behind the plate.

Perez (eye) remains sidelined for Friday's game against the Twins, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.

Perez has been dealing with blurred vision all week, appearing in just one game. It's not clear when he's expected to return to action. Cam Gallagher will be the catcher in his absence.