MLB Player News

Vazquez is not in the lineup for Sunday's ALDS Game 3 against the Astros, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Vazquez drew the start in Friday's Game 2, going 2-for-3 with a walk and run scored. Despite his productive performance, he'll head back to the bench in favor of Sandy Leon as the Red Sox look to defend their home field and take Game 3 from Brad Peacock and the Astros.

Grandal is not in the lineup for Game 2 of the NLDS against the Diamondbacks on Saturday, J.P. Hoornstra of the Los Angeles Daily News reports.

Grandal is hitting just .233 in 86 at-bats against southpaws this season -- compared to his .250 average against right-handed pitchers -- so he'll head to the bench as righty-hitting Austin Barnes draws the start against lefty Robbie Ray. Barnes will start behind the dish and bat seventh in his stead Saturday, though Grandal will likely be back in the starting lineup for Game 3.

Perez is not in the lineup against the Yankees on Friday.

Perez will head to the bench for Game 2 of the ALDS after working behind the plate during Thursday's victory. In his place, Yan Gomes will handle the catching duties and bat eighth in the order.

Gomes is not in the lineup for Game 1 of the ALDS against the Yankees on Thursday.

Gomes will give way to Roberto Perez for the series opener, as the Indians begin the quest to defend their American League title. Over the course of the last few weeks, Perez and Gomes have each been splitting time behind the plate, and will likely continue to do so throughout the playoffs.

Leon is in the lineup against the Astros for Game 1 of the ALDS on Thursday, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Leon will handle the catching duties for Thursday's series opener with right-hander Justin Verlander taking the hill for Houston. Since Aug. 24, Leon is hitting just .161 with one home run and four RBI in 17 starts.

Vazquez is not in the lineup for Thursday's ALDS opener against the Astros, The Boston Globe's Pete Abraham reports.

Sandy Leon will set up behind the plate for Game 1 while Vazquez occupies a seat on the bench. Although he's cooled off a little bit as of late, Vazquez has been hitting well this season, slashing .290/.330/.404 with five home runs and 32 RBI, and could receive a start for Friday's contest with left-hander Dallas Keuchel on the mound.

Glenn agreed to a minor-league deal with the Mets on Tuesday.

The 26-year-old played in just 20 games this year at Triple-A Las Vegas, slashing .234/.321/.340. Dunn also struck out in 30.2 percent of his plate appearances. The Mets currently have decent depth at catcher, so it's likely he will stay at Triple-A in a similar role next season.

Perez agreed to a minor-league contract with the Diamondbacks, Matt Eddy of Baseball America reports.

Perez will return to the Diamondbacks rather than test the minor-league free agent market. He posted his best season to date in 2017, hitting .279/.365/.424 in 80 games with Double-A Jackson while drawing praise as one of the best defensive catchers at that level. The 25-year-old will continue his climb to the majors next season, likely starting the year out with Triple-A Reno.

Murphy went hitless in four at-bats following his September callup.

The catching prospect saw little playing time down the stretch with the Rockies in the thick of the playoff race -- a disappointing finish to a disappointing season. Expected by many to move into the starting catcher role at some point in 2017, he wound up getting hurt during spring training and struggling at the plate in the minors. Heading into 2018, Murphy still looks like a candidate to assume full-time catching duties, but he'll need to show that this past season was simply a fluke and not a sign of things to come.

Casali went 1-for-3 with a solo home run, a walk and two RBI in Sunday's 6-0 win over Baltimore.

Casali's first home run of the season in the fifth inning was the only run allowed by either starting pitcher as Baltimore's Kevin Gausman and Tampa Bay's Blake Snell both turned in gems. The little-used catcher forced in a second RBI with a bases-loaded walk during a five-run explosion against Baltimore's bullpen in the eighth.