MLB Player News

Perez is not in Saturday's lineup against the White Sox, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

He is hitting .152 with two home runs over his last 10 games. Kevin Plawecki will start behind the dish and hit eighth.

Murphy went 2-for-3 with a two-run home run and two runs scored in Friday's 4-3 win over the Angels.

The backup catcher scored on a Dylan Moore single in the third inning, and then went yard in the fifth inning to extend the Mariners' lead to 3-0 at the time. In 20 games, Murphy is hitting .302 with three homers and four doubles across 63 at-bats, although Omar Narvaez continues to have a strong hold on the starting catcher job in Seattle.

Garver (ankle) caught a full game behind the plate Friday for Double-A Pensacola and is likely to be activated from the 10-day IL shortly, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

He could be activated from the IL as soon as Saturday. He's been playing in rehab games since Monday as he recovers from a high ankle sprain.

Perez (oblique) is expected to have his minor-league rehab assignment set by the end of the weekend, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Perez has been making deliberate but steady progress since first getting sidelined in early May. The backstop may only need a handful of minor-league games before being deemed ready for activation. Perez figures to slot back into the left-handed side of a platoon behind the dish alongside Mike Zunino, who just returned to action from a quadriceps injury Friday.

Zavala was optioned to Triple-A Charlotte following Friday's game against the Indians, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Zavala made his major-league debut Sunday, and despite taking the collar (0-for-4), he was finally able to nab his first hit Friday night. This move opens up a roster spot for Welington Castillo, who's eligible to come off the 7-day injured list Saturday.

Casali went 3-for-4 with a home run, a double, four RBI and two runs scored Friday against the Nationals.

Casili didn't waste much time in this one, giving the Reds an early five-run lead in the first inning with the help of a three-run blast to left. He would later double home a run in the fourth inning. The 30-year-old backstop has seen an uptick in playing time of late, likely due to his recent hot hitting. Casili has now reached safely in four of his last five contests.

Narvaez isn't in the starting lineup Friday against the Angels, Shannon Drayer of 710 ESPN Seattle reports.

Narvaez will get a day off after making just one start. Tom Murphy is set to handle the catching duties and hit eighth with Narvaez riding the pine.

Jansen isn't in the starting lineup for Friday's game against Colorado.

Jansen will take a seat after starting each of his team's last three contests behind the dish. He went 0-for-11 at the plate over that brief stretch. Luke Maile will take over the catching duties and bat eighth in Jansen's stead.

Knizner's contract was purchased from Triple-A Memphis on Friday.

He should spend at least a brief period on the big-league roster while Yadier Molina is out with a thumb injury. Knizner projects as the Cardinals' future starter behind the plate and owns a solid .286/.355/.450 line for Memphis this season, though he may not be able to unseat Matt Wieters for a temporary starting role.

Contreras is not in the lineup Friday against the Cardinals.

Contreras is hitless in his last three games, though his season line remains an excellent .296/.402/.568. Victor Caratini will start behind the plate.