MLB Player News

Maldonado is out of the lineup for Saturday's game against the Twins.

Maldonado has been on a hot streak in May, with 12 hits (more than he had in all of April) in just 22 at-bats. Rene Rivera will catch and bat ninth for the Angels on Saturday as Maldonado gets a day of rest.

Maile went 3-for-4 with a walk, two home runs and four RBI in Friday's 5-3 extra-innings win over the Red Sox.

It was a rollercoaster night for the Jays' backup catcher. He failed to corral a third strike against Sandy Leon in the fourth inning, and his late throw to first base sailed over Justin Smoak's head and allowed Brock Holt to scamper home, giving Boston a 3-2 lead. Maile atoned for his error in the seventh when his solo shot off Chris Sale tied the score, but he saved the best for last, crushing a two-run walkoff shot off Brian Johnson in the 12th. The 27-year-old hadn't homered at any level in almost a full calendar year, so don't expect a repeat performance any time soon, but Friday's heroics pushed his slash line through 17 big-league games this season to an eye-popping .339/.418/.542.

Realmuto went 3-for-5 with a home run, two RBI and two runs scored in a win over the Braves on Friday.

Realmuto doubled in the first, hit a solo shot in the third and hit an RBI single in the fourth. This was the backstop's seventh multi-hit game, bringing his average up to .325 on the season. Realmuto's .954 OPS also leads all MLB catchers. With five home runs on the season, the 27-year-old is on pace to surpass his total of 17 from last year.

Perez went 1-for-5 with two runs scored and the game-winning two-run home run in Friday's 10-9 win over the Indians.

Perez followed up Thursday's birthday grand slam with another big home run Friday, tucking a two-run shot inside the left-field foul pole off Andrew Miller to help the Royals overcome a 9-4 deficit. The 28-year-old has hit well since coming of the disabled list April 24, with a .282/.312/.535 slash line and five home runs in 71 at-bats.

Garver is not in the lineup against the Angels on Friday, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Garver will be stationed on the bench following two straight starts behind the plate. Bobby Wilson will catch Lance Lynn and bat ninth during Friday's affair.

An MRI revealed that Hedges' elbow has no structural damage and he was cleared to resume swinging, Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Hedges is currently in San Diego, where he played catch and will take swings for the first time since suffering this injury in late April. The catcher was shut down from all activities over the past week after being officially diagnosed with right elbow tendinitis, which caused him to land on the 10-day DL. The Padres have yet to pinpoint a specific timetable for his return, but rejoining the team next weekend doesn't seem out of the question.

Contreras went 4-for-5 with two home runs, two runs scored and seven RBI in Friday's win over the White Sox.

The 25-year-old launched a grand slam off Carson Fulmer in the first inning, and he later added another homer and a double to give him a career-high seven RBI for the day. Contreras has racked up a whopping 20 total bases in his last two games, raising his batting line from .230/.315/.354 to .268/.343/.488. It took a little while, but Contreras is starting to live up to his draft-day price.

Plawecki (hand) went to Florida to ramp up his rehab Monday, hoping to return to action by the end of May, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

The catcher expects to spend at week at the team's spring complex hitting before beginning a rehab assignment. In his absence (as well as the absence of fellow catcher Travis d'Arnaud due to Tommy John surgery) the Mets have acquired Devin Mesoraco from the Reds, but Plawecki will likely return to a starting role once healthy.

Vazquez is not in the lineup against Toronto on Friday, Jason Mastrodonato of the Boston Herald reports.

Vazquez will retreat to the bench after going 0-for-4 during Thursday's victory over the Yankees. In his stead, Sandy Leon will catch and bat ninth.

Sanchez is not in the lineup against Oakland on Friday.

Sanchez will get the day off after catching three straight games, as Andrew Romine will handle Sonny Gray's outing for the series opener. Expect to see Sanchez back in the lineup Saturday.