MLB Player News

Garver (right intercostal strain) had a setback after getting hit below the belt with a foul ball while catching at Minnesota's alternate training camp in St. Paul, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Garver has been on the injured list since Aug. 19 and it was thought he could return this week, but his additional injury set him back. It sounds like he could be activated next week when the Twins return from a seven-game road trip. However, with three catchers on the roster and rookie Ryan Jeffers playing well, Garver may be limited to a reserve role.

Realmuto (hip) won't play over the weekend, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Realmuto continues to deal with a hip issue, and it'll hold him out at least until Monday's matchup in Washington. Andrew Knapp will handle the catching duties until Realmuto is cleared to return.

Plawecki went 1-for-4 with two RBI in Thursday's 5-3 win over the Marlins.

Plawecki got the Red Sox on the board in the top of the sixth inning, driving in two on a single to left field. The backup catcher has been making the most of his opportunities of late, coming through with a base knock in four of his last five contests. He's driven in six runs over that stretch.

Perez isn't in the starting lineup for Game 2 of Thursday's doubleheader against the Orioles, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Perez got the nod in Game 1, collecting a double and scoring a run in a 3-1 victory. Kevan Smith will get a chance behind the dish for Thursday's nightcap.

Perez (shoulder) is starting Thursday against the Tigers.

Perez sat out Thursday's game with right shoulder discomfort, but he'll return to the lineup just one game later for the series opener against the Tigers. The 31-year-old went 0-for-10 with seven strikeouts over his last four games.

Realmuto (hip) is not in the lineup Thursday against the Mets.

Realmuto will be sidelined by hip discomfort for the fifth straight day, though he may be able to return this weekend versus the Blue Jays. Andrew Knapp receives another start behind the plate Thursday.

Stassi is out of the lineup Thursday against the Diamondbacks, Maria Torres of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Stassi started the past four games and receives the day off after going 5-for-14 with one homer, one double, three RBI and three walks. Anthony Bemboom takes over behind the plate for the Halos.

Smith went 2-for-4 with a double, a run and three RBI in Wednesday's win over San Diego.

Smith came through with a pair of big two-out hits in the contest, driving home a run with an infield single in the third inning and knocking in two more with a double to deep center in the fifth. Manager Dave Roberts recently indicated a preference to have Smith hit in the middle of the lineup due to his ability to produce quality at-bats, and the backstop certainly justified his skipper's comments Wednesday. In fact, Smith has been swinging a hot stick for the last two weeks; since Sept. 2, he has gone 16-for-34 (.471) with two homers, four doubles and seven RBI.

Vazquez is not in the lineup Thursday against the Marlins, Bill Koch of The Providence Journal reports.

Vazquez started the past three games and will head to the bench after going 2-for-11 with a homer, two runs, three RBI and three walks. Kevin Plawecki takes over behind the plate for Boston.

Stassi went 3-for-4 with a two-run home run and a double in Wednesday's loss against Arizona.

Stassi dealt with an injury that kept him out for around two weeks and only returned from the injured list earlier this month. The 29-year-old catcher posted his first three-hit performance of the season and has now hit safely in his last three appearances, boosting his average to a respectable .265 with a .854 OPS in the process. This was his fifth homer of the season.