MLB Player News

Perez is dealing with a sprained thumb, Rustin Dodd of The Athletic Kansas City reports.

This helps explain Perez's absence from the starting lineup the previous two games. The Royals are currently listing the backstop as day-to-day. Meibrys Viloria is with the team on the taxi squad while Cameron Gallagher is starting behind the dish Friday.

Narvaez is out of the lineup versus the Red Sox on Friday.

Narvaez will remain on the bench for a third straight game as Kevan Smith gets another start behind the plate.

Perez is not in the lineup against the Orioles on Friday, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

Perez will remain on the bench for a second straight day, and considering he started the previous 30 games, it's fair to wonder whether he's dealing with some sort of injury. The Royals have yet to announce anything at this point in time, so it may just be a little breather for Perez. Either way, Cameron Gallagher will fill in at the catching position Friday.

Moore had his contract selected from Triple-A Durham on Friday, Marc Topkin of The Tampa Bay Times reports.

Moore will rejoin the big-league roster as Michael Perez (hamstring) heads to the DL. During a brief cup of coffee with the Rays in July, Moore started two games, going 1-for-6 with one run scored and two strikeouts. Across 58 contest with Durham in 2018, he's slashed .219/.260/.347.

Perez was placed on the 10-day disabled list Friday due to a left hamstring strain, Marc Topkin of The Tampa Bay Times reports.

Perez suffered the injury during Tuesday's game against the Braves during a play at the plate. He will be eligible to return next weekend when the Rays start a three-game set against the Orioles on Friday. In a corresponding move, Adam Moore had his contract selected from the minors. Look for Jesus Sucre to receive regular starts behind the plate in Perez's absence.

Gallagher was called up from Triple-A Omaha on Friday, Rustin Dodd of The Athletic reports.

Gallagher will serve as the backup to Salvador Perez following the trade of Drew Butera to Colorado on Friday. In eight games with the Royals this year, Gallagher has gone 5-for-24 (.208 average) with a pair of doubles and two RBI. Since Perez rarely takes days off, don't expect to see too much of Gallagher behind the plate, even with the Royals likely to give more chances to their younger prospects in September.

Stewart was traded from the Braves to the Diamondbacks on Thursday, Robert Murray of The Athletic Wisconsin reports.

Stewart appeared in just five games for the Braves before being traded, struggling to an unsightly .214/.250/.214 slash line. He put together a similarly poor line with Triple-A Gwinnett, slashing .219/.299/.277 across 47 games. The veteran backstop should serve as organizational catching depth for Arizona.

Grandal is out of the lineup versus the Diamondbacks on Thursday.

Grandal will receive a standard day off for the series opener after starting the past two games. In his place, Austin Barnes will catch Rich Hill and bat eighth.

Manager Aaron Boone said Thursday that he expects Sanchez (groin) to be reinstated from the 10-day disabled list prior to Saturday's game, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Boone added that Sanchez will catch all nine innings at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Thursday, and then report to New York on Saturday, barring any sort of setback. Upon his activation, Sanchez will likely work his way back into the swing of things, so don't be surprised to see Austin Romine receive a couple starts a week behind the plate.

Narvaez is not in the lineup Thursday against the Red Sox.

Narvaez will stick on the bench for a second straight game as Kevan Smith makes another start behind the dish in his place. The 26-year-old Narvaez is in the midst of a four-game hitting streak, slashing .438/.471/.563 with two doubles over that stretch.