MLB Player News

Gomes went 3-for-5 with a solo home run in Friday's 3-2 loss to the Blue Jays.

Gomes handed his team a one-run lead in the sixth inning, but the Blue Jays would rally in the seventh to tie the game and send it to extra innings. The 31-year-old backstop has posted a .260/.307/.430 batting line with a .738 OPS through 100 games this season.

Mesoraco will miss at least one more week after receiving an epidural injection for his neck discomfort Friday, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

Mesoraco has been battling the neck issue since late August. Previous reports suggested that the epidural could lead to him being shut down for the season, though now it appears that he still has a chance to return. The Mets have little reason to risk injury in a lost season, however, and with two other catchers on their expanded roster, they could well choose to shut him down.

Perez (thumb) will catch Heath Fillmyer and bat sixth against the Twins on Friday, Rustin Dodd of The Athletic reports.

Perez will return to action after missing the past seven games due to a thumb injury. Though the Royals have been out of postseason contention for quite some time, Perez has remained a fixture in the starting lineup, so expect to see him playing on a regular basis for the rest of the 2018 campaign.

Jansen is out of Friday's starting lineup against the Indians, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Jansen will remain on the pine for a second straight game following three straight starts versus Tampa Bay earlier in the week. In his absence, Luke Maile will catch Marco Estrada and bat ninth.

Plawecki (ribs) is starting Friday against the Phillies.

Plawecki exited Wednesday's game against the Dodgers after getting hit in the ribs by a pitch. His post-game CT scan was negative and he's good to go without missing a single start.

Hedges is out of the lineup for the second straight game Friday against the Reds.

Fellow catcher Francisco Mejia made his first Padres' start Thursday and rewarded his new team with a two-homer performance. Unsurprisingly, that was enough to earn him his second start right away. Hedges is expected to split time with Mejia for the rest of September, but whether it's an even distribution or not remains to be seen.

Vazquez is out of the lineup versus the Astros on Friday, Evan Drellich of NBC Sports Boston reports.

Vazquez will receive a breather after going 2-for-3 with a walk and one run scored in Wednesday's victory against the Braves. In his place, Sandy Leon will catch David Price.

Ruiz went 3-for-5 with a stolen base and an RBI in Double-A Tulsa's 6-0 win Thursday over Northwest Arkansas in Game 2 of their Texas League semifinals series.

It's the fourth consecutive three-hit performance for Ruiz, who has elevated his Texas League slash line to .268/.328/.401 with the hot finish to the campaign. While Ruiz's .729 OPS doesn't jump off the page, the fact that he has been roughly a league-average hitter at just 20 years old while receiving high marks for his work behind the dish has him poised to open 2019 as one of baseball's top catching prospects.

Mejia went 2-for-4 with two home runs and four RBI in Thursday's 6-2 win over the Reds.

Mejia connected on a solo shot in the third inning and added a three-run homer in the fourth frame. He was the prized acquisition in the trade that sent Brad Hand to Cleveland, and his performance Thursday night showed a glimpse as to why he is considered one of the top prospects in baseball. His usage by the Padres down the stretch is worth watching, as he could become a valuable addition to fantasy squads looking for help at the thin catcher position.

Jansen is not in the lineup Thursday against the Indians, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Jansen will take a seat on the bench Thursday after starting three straight games behind the dish, going hitless in eight at-bats over that stretch. Newly promoted Reese McGuire will start at backstop in his stead.