MLB Player News

Perez is expected to undergo Tommy John surgery sometime next week, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.

Perez was scratched from Thursday's spring game with what was originally thought to be a minor elbow injury, though a subsequent MRI revealed damage to his UCL that is apparently serious enough to warrant surgery. The 28-year-old backstop was originally scheduled to visit Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles next week for a second opinion, but it sounds like the procedure has already been recommended for him. Assuming Perez goes under the knife next week, he'll miss the entire 2019 campaign, leaving Cameron Gallagher to step in as the team's starting backstop unless the Royals decide to acquire someone else.

Perez will head to Los Angeles next week to get a second opinion on his injured ulnar collateral ligament from Dr. Neal ElAttrache.

Dr. ElAttrache's name typically pops up when Tommy John surgery is close, so the worst-case scenario is certainly not a good one for Perez and the Royals. Perez's injury initially appeared insignificant, as he was scratched from Thursday's game due to what was then called minor elbow soreness, but an MRI revealed damage to his UCL. If Tommy John surgery does end up being required, Perez would miss the entire season, leaving Cameron Gallagher in line for an expanded role.

Sanchez (shoulder) will start behind the plate and bat cleanup in Friday's spring game against the Orioles, Pete Caldera of The Bergen Record reports.

Sanchez took part in a simulated game Thursday, which proved to be the final hurdle before his spring training debut Friday. There was some thought the 26-year-old would be eased into the lineup as the designated hitter, but he will instead jump straight into things at catcher, which is a great sign for the status of his surgically repaired left shoulder.

Zavala hasn't played since the first game of spring due to a strained left quad, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Zavala went 2-for-3 with a double and two runs scored in the game but unfortunately has been unable to retake the field. The 25-year-old hopes to return to action for the White Sox sometime next week.

Wallach exited Thursday's Grapefruit League game due to a quadriceps injury, Andre Fernandez of The Athletic reports.

Manager Don Mattingly said Wallach "felt something in his quad" during Thursday's loss to the Astros, which helps explain his removal after three innings. Mattingly said the issue was minor, though he failed to offer up a timetable for Wallach's return, leaving the backup catcher day-to-day. Wallach is 1-for-5 through three games this spring.

Royals manager Ned Yost said Perez will sit out Thursday due to minor elbow soreness, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

Yost didn't seem too worried about the issue, chalking it up to normal spring soreness. Once healthy, Perez will be eased into action, starting off as a designated hitter before making his debut behind the dish sometime next week. Assuming everything goes as planned, Perez should have plenty of time to get up to speed before Opening Day.

Gallagher (undisclosed) is back in the lineup Thursday against the Padres.

Gallagher was scratched from Wednesday's lineup for unknown reasons. Whatever the issue was, it was apparently a minor one, as he'll wind up missing just a single game.

Sanchez (shoulder) took part in a simulated game Thursday, Erik Boland of Newsday reports.

Sanchez stepped in for a few at-bats against Luis Severino in what likely amounts to the backstop's final hurdle to clear in his recovery from offseason shoulder surgery before making his spring debut. Assuming Sanchez reports no discomfort with his shoulder coming out of the workout, he could be included in the lineup for the Yankees' Grapefruit League game Friday versus the Orioles. Sanchez will presumably serve as a designated hitter for a few games before seeing action behind the dish.

Casali (hip) thinks he'll be back in game action in a week, John Fay of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Initial reports suggested that Casali wouldn't be ready for game action until mid-March, giving him just two weeks to prepare for Opening Day, but he appears to be a week ahead of that timeline. He'll have the inside shot on the Reds' backup catcher job if healthy, though the team also has Kyle Farmer and Rule 5 pick Connor Joe in camp.

Contreras went 1-for-2 with a two-run home run and two runs scored in Wednesday's Cactus League win over the Rangers.

Contreras is off to a good start this spring, as he now has two home runs and five RBI in his first three games. The 26-year-old catcher took a step back in the power department last season, as he saw his home-run total dip from 21 in 2017 to just 10 last year. If Contreras can regain his homer stroke in 2019 he should be among the top catchers in fantasy baseball.