MLB Player News

Casali is picking up a rare start at first base Tuesday night, batting eighth against the Brewers, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Casali has had a fantastic season at the plate in limited exposure as the backup catcher, well above his career norms. He's coming off a big day Saturday that included a homer against right-hander Brandon Kintzler. He'll face the Brewers' Junior Guerra on Tuesday.

Leon is not in the lineup Tuesday against the Marlins, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

Leon will give way to Blake Swihart behind the dish for Tuesday's series opener after starting the previous two games, going 1-for-5 with a walk in those appearances. The 29-year-old Leon is hitting just .200/.255/.316 through 73 games this season.

Vazquez (finger) went 1-for-2 with three RBI and a run scored for Double-A Portland on Monday.

Vazquez kicked off his rehab assignment, catching five innings, four of which were thrown by left-hander and fellow rehabber Eduardo Rodriguez (ankle). The Red Sox will want to get Vazquez multiple starts behind the plate and have him play back-to-back games before bringing him back to Boston. He should be activated when rosters expand this weekend.

Sanchez (groin) caught seven innings and went 2-for-4 with a solo home run Monday in a rehab game for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

It was the second rehab appearance for Sanchez, who had previously served as the designated hitter for the Yankee's rookie-level Gulf Coast League affiliate two days earlier. According to DJ Eberle of the Wilkes-Barre Times Leader, Sanchez is slated for DH duty at Triple-A again Tuesday before catching nine innings for the affiliate Wednesday and Thursday. Sanchez will then report back to the Yankees for a re-evaluation, and if his right groin isn't providing any discomfort at that time, he could be reinstated from the 10-day disabled list when rosters expand Saturday or a few days afterward.

Vazquez (finger) is expected to move his minor-league assignment to Triple-A Pawtucket on Tuesday and catch for rehabbing pitcher Steven Wright (knee) in the contest, Guerin Austin of NESN reports.

Vazquez reported to Double-A Portland last week to begin his assignment, but it wasn't until Monday that he actually appeared in a game. He logged five innings behind the dish, finishing 1-for-2 with three RBI. Vazquez, who has been on the shelf since July 8 after requiring surgery to repair a fractured right pinkie finger, will likely need to play at least a full game or two at catcher in the minors before rejoining the Red Sox, likely when rosters expand Saturday or shortly thereafter.

Jansen is not in the lineup Monday against the Orioles, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Jansen will grab a breather following two straight starts over the weekend. The rookie backstop is hitting .333/.382/.600 with one homer and five doubles in nine games since joining the Blue Jays earlier in the month. Luke Maile is starting behind the dish in this one.

Perez went 1-for-4 with a two-run double and a run in a win over the Red Sox on Sunday.

The young backstop drove in six runs against the Red Sox over the three-game set, pushing his August total to nine. Perez figures to continue logging the bulk of playing time behind the dish over Jesus Sucre as long as he keeps building on his .282/.307/.394 line, one that's partly comprised of six extra-base hits (five doubles, one home run) and 10 RBI.

Wynns is out of the lineup Sunday against the Yankees, Jon Meoli of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Wynns started three consecutive games behind the plate before sitting out the second half of Saturday's doubleheader. He'll be on the bench again Sunday, but Wynn could settle into a rough timeshare with Caleb Joseph for the final few weeks of the season. That would dampen the fantasy appeal of both catchers, which was already limited with Wynns managing a .665 OPS on the season and Joseph supplying a .583 OPS.

Maldonado is out of the lineup Sunday against the Angels, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Maldonado will take a seat after making three consecutive turns behind the plate. Max Stassi will replace Maldonado at catcher, working in a battery with starting pitcher Framber Valdez.

Grandal is not in the lineup Sunday against the Padres, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

Grandal started the past four games for Los Angeles, but he'll take a seat on the bench with lefty Robbie Erlin taking the hill for San Diego. Austin Barnes will assume catching duties for the afternoon.