MLB Player News

Perez is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Yankees, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

Perez sits after starting four straight contests. Kevin Plawecki gets the nod behind the plate.

Vazquez will sit Friday against the Rays.

Vazquez and Sandy Leon have had a very even split behind the plate recently, with Vazquez starting eight times and Leon starting nine over the last 17 games. Leon will take his turn Friday.

Narvaez went 2-for-6 with a game-tying solo home run and a walk in an extra-innings loss to the Astros on Thursday.

Narvaez was a momentary hero in the marathon contest, as he launched a 399-foot blast off Hector Rondon with the Mariners just an out away from defeat in the home half of the 10th inning. Narvaez's round tripper was his first since May 21, and it brought his season total even with the career-high nine he amassed over 125 additional plate appearances in 2018 with the White Sox.

Contreras is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Cardinals.

Contreras will receive Friday off after starting five of the last six games and going 4-for-17 with one double and one home run in that stretch. Victor Caratini will start behind the plate and bat sixth versus Cardinals starter Miles Mikolas.

Perez went 1-for-2 with a home run and two RBI during Thursday's 5-4 loss to the Twins.

Perez got his team on the board with a solo home run in the fifth inning, giving three home runs over his last three games. He drove in another run with a sacrifice fly in the seventh, giving him eight over his last 10 games. Moreover, Perez's 10 homers are already a career high, and his .799 OPS would easily be a personal best as well.

D'Arnaud went 2-for-3 with two home runs, a walk, four RBI and two runs scored Thursday against the Tigers.

D'Arnaud got the start with the Rays playing a day game after a night contest, relieving Mike Zunino behind the dish. He took advantage by smacking two homers, his first of the season. He'll continue to serve as the Rays' backup catcher, but his .171/.253/.286 is not noteworthy.

Vazquez went 1-for-4 with a triple and two RBI on Thursday against the Royals.

Vazquez collected only one hit in the contest, but his two-RBI triple turned out to be the deciding runs in Boston's win. Though he's slowed a bit at the dish since his prolific start to May, Vazquez remains the primary catcher for the Red Sox, and his .195 ISO is nearly 100 points better this .103 career mark. Overall, he's hitting .289/.329/.484 across 170 plate appearances.

Smith has been optioned back to Triple-A Oklahoma City, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

Smith was impressive in his first action at the big-league level, going 6-for-21 with a pair of homers and a double, but with Austin Barnes (groin) activated from the 10-day injured list Thursday, the Dodgers have sent Smith back to Oklahoma City. The young backstop showcased some of the potential at the dish that has made him such an enticing prospect, so it wouldn't be a surprise to see him called back up at some point this season.

Barnes (groin) was activated from the 10-day injured list Thursday.

As expected, Barnes is back with the Dodgers after completing a two-game rehab stint with High-A Rancho Cucamonga, going 2-for-5 with a walk in those contests. The 29-year-old figures to immediately step back in as the team's primary backstop after a minimum stay on the shelf. Will Smith was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City in a corresponding move.

Jansen is not in the lineup Thursday against the Yankees.

Jansen will head to the bench for Thursday's series finale after starting the past two games behind the dish, going 1-for-6 with a walk in those contests. In his place, Luke Maile is starting at catcher and hitting ninth.