MLB Player News

Maldonado went 1-for-4 with a three-run home run in Wednesday's 5-1 win over the Giants.

Maldonado has run hot and cold early on. He began the year with five hits in his first three games before going into a 1-for-21 funk. The 33-year-old seems to be heating back up again, but he's a career .218 hitter, so expect more valleys than peaks moving forward.

Jansen went 2-for-5 with a two-run home run Wednesday against the Marlins.

Jansen took Brian Moran deep in the sixth inning for his second home run of the season. It's been a slow start at the dish for Jansen, as he has just three extra-base hits and two-multi hit efforts in 11 starts. He has gotten on base in consecutive contests, though he's still hitting just .194/.318/.389 across 45 plate appearances.

Perez went 3-for-5 with a double, a home run, three RBI and two runs scored in Wednesday's 5-4 win over the Reds.

Perez pretty much single-handedly carried the Royals' offense, scoring twice and plating three runs. He's showing little rust after missing a full season following Tommy John surgery; Perez is now up to .329/.341/.557 with four homers. The 30-year-old is seeing his usual heavy workload, playing every day between catcher and DH.

Smith was removed from Wednesday's game against the Padres with a sore neck, Alanna Rizzo of Spectrum SportsNet LA reports.

The 25-year-old went 0-for-1 before exiting during the fifth inning, and the severity of the injury remains unclear. Austin Barnes took over behind the plate and will start Thursday's contest, while Smith is considered day-to-day, per Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register.

Sanchez went 1-for-5 with a solo home run in Wednesday's 6-3 win over Atlanta.

Sanchez's only hit of the night put the Yankees on the board, as he went deep in the second inning. The catcher has struggled mightily at the dish, batting just .104/.204/.250 with two homers, four RBI and four runs scored across 54 plate appearances.

Garver went 3-for-6 with two runs scored in Wednesday's 12-2 win over the Brewers.

Garver hit leadoff in Wednesday's contest, and that appeared to wake up his bat. In the second inning, the catcher got aboard with a single and scored on a Nelson Cruz single. Garver hit another single in the fifth and came home when Eddie Rosario drew a bases-loaded walk. Wednesday marked just the second multi-hit game of the season for Garver, who is batting .167/.280/.238 with a homer, two RBI and six runs scored in 12 contests.

Contreras was ejected from Wednesday's game against the Indians during the fifth inning, Gordon Wittenmyer of NBC Sports Chicago reports.

The 28-year-old was unhappy with a check-swing call during his third at-bat and was subsequently tossed from the contest. Contreras went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts prior to exiting. Backup catcher Victor Caratini took over behind the plate, but since he was already serving as the designated hitter, the Cubs lose the extra bat for the remainder of game.

The Indians are hoping to have Perez (shoulder) run the bases and throw from 150 feet back-to-back days, Tom Withers of the Associated Press reports.

Perez is slowly working his way back from a strained right shoulder that has kept him sidelined since the end of July. Until he's cleared to return, Sandy Leon and Beau Taylor should continue to handle catching duties for Cleveland.

Tromp will not start Wednesday against the Astros, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Tromp appears to have taken over the starting catcher role for the Giants, as he'd started five out of six games heading into Wednesday's contest. Tyler Heineman takes over for him in this one.

Grandal is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Tigers.

Grandal merely looks to be receiving a routine breather with the White Sox and Tigers concluding their series with a day game after a night game. James McCann checks in behind the plate in place of Grandal, who is batting .245 with no home runs and nine RBI on the campaign.