MLB Player News

Perez went 1-for-4 with a solo homer in the fifth inning of the Indians' 8-2 win over the Tigers on Tuesday.

Perez hit his first home run off Jordan Zimmermann to increase the Cleveland lead to 4-1. The 30-year-old is batting just .095 in 2019, and this was his first home run since Sept. 8 of last year. He is splitting the catching duties with Kevin Plawecki this season.

Barnes is back in the lineup, catching and hitting eighth for the Dodgers' tilt with the Cardinals on Tuesday, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Barnes sat out Monday but is back in action Tuesday as Russell Martin will retreat to the bench. Barnes has been swinging a hot bat to start the season, with a .421/.538/.789 slash line over 19 at-bats, but with Martin also hitting well, manager Dave Roberts has been splitting the workload pretty evenly between the two in the early going.

Diaz's (illness) rehab assignment was transferred to Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

A viral infection wrecked Diaz's spring training, but he's working his way toward a return. When he's ready to go, he should take the Pirates' backup catcher job from Jacob Stallings.

Maile isn't available to start Tuesday against the Red Sox while he battles neck tightness, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Manager Charlie Montoyo had planned to use Maile as part of a battery with pitcher Matt Shoemaker, but the former's injury will result in Danny Jansen stepping in behind the plate. Montoyo expressed optimism that Maile would still be available off the bench if the backstop's neck loosens up over the next few hours.

Hedges is not in the lineup Monday against the Giants, John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Hedges will give way to Francisco Mejia behind the dish Monday after starting the previous two games. Through seven appearances this season, Hedges is 5-for-22 (.227) with a homer and three RBI.

Barnes is not in the lineup Monday against the Cardinals, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Barnes will retreat to the bench for Monday's series opener after starting the previous two games behind the dish, going 2-for-4 with a pair of RBI and four walks in those appearances. Russell Martin gets the start at backstop in this one, hitting eighth.

Gomes is not in the lineup Monday against the Phillies.

Gomes will sit for a second straight day as Kurt Suzuki checks in behind the dish to catch Anibal Sanchez. Through six games this season, Gomes is 5-for-19 (.263) with a pair of doubles.

Contreras went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Sunday's loss to the Brewers.

Contreras accounted for all of Chicago's offense with his third home run of the season in a 4-2 loss. The 26-year-old catcher had just 10 long balls in 138 games last season, so he seems well on his way to surpassing that total in 2019. His career-high mark of 21 could also be well within reach if he keeps this up.

Sanchez went 3-for-6 with three homers and six RBI in the Yankees' 15-3 win over the Orioles on Sunday.

It was a monster day for the 26-year-old backstop, who posted his first career three-homer game to bring his long ball total up to six on the season through 32 at-bats. Sanchez's struggles last season were well-documented as he hit just .186 over 323 at-bats, but he's got his power stroke working to start 2019 as he looks to bounce back and regain his form of 2017, when he hit .278 and launched 33 homers.

Vazquez is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks.

Vazquez will sit for the second time in the series as Blake Swihart receives another turn behind the plate. Despite the distribution of work this weekend, Vazquez still looks like the Red Sox's clear top option behind the plate, largely on the strength of his superior defense.