MLB Player News

Sanchez was removed from Saturday's game in the third inning after he was hit in the mask by a foul ball.

Sanchez went 0-for-2 and was replaced behind the plate by Luis Torrens. He will likely undergo concussion testing in order to yield a more firm diagnosis, though it appears the early exit was a precautionary measure by the team. Saturday's start was his first since July 29, as Austin Hedges has reassumed primary catching duties.

Grandal left Saturday's game against the Mets with back spasms, Andy McCullough of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Grandal lasted seven innings in Saturday's win, going 1-for-4 with a double before he was replaced behind the plate by Austin Barnes. The team will likely let him rest for Sunday's series finale prior to Monday's well-timed travel day, but expect a more succinct evaluation by the team in due time.

Perez (intercostal) will be placed on the 10-day DL if the Royals' game Saturday does not get rained out, Josh Vernier of 610 Sports reports.

It sounds like a trip to the DL is inevitable for Perez, but the Royals would get no benefit to making the move Saturday if there is no game. Cam Gallagher is already on hand to take his spot on the active roster if the move is made. Vernier reports that the worst-case scenario for Perez would be a four-week absence.

Hedges is out of the lineup Saturday against the Pirates.

After starting the last four games, Hedges takes a seat in favor of Hector Sanchez, who is hitting sixth. Hedges is hitting .235 with five home runs and a 33:3 K:BB in 98 at-bats since the start of June.

Perez (oblique) is not in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Mariners, Pete Grathoff of the Kansas City Star reports.

Perez was forced from Friday's game in the seventh inning with discomfort in his right side, and manager Ned Yost later acknowledged that there is concern about the injury. An MRI was scheduled for Saturday, the results of which have not yet been disclosed.

Mesoraco (knee) is back in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Cardinals.

It will be Mesoraco's first start in a week -- he has been limited to just one pinch-hitting appearance so far in August due to a knee injury. Mesoraco has battled hamstring and shoulder issues as well over the course of the season and hasn't looked much at all like the player we saw break out in 2014, slashing just .218/.318/.406 in 51 games.

Stubbs was promoted to Triple-A Fresno on Saturday, Jake Kaplan of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Stubbs didn't exactly rake with Double-A Corpus Christi, slashing just .236/.324/.331 in 300 plate appearances to begin 2017. However, with Juan Centeno moving up to the big club to replace Evan Gattis (concussion), Stubbs will get his first opportunity with the top minor-league affiliate. His speed at the catcher position makes Stubbs somewhat intriguing in dynasty leagues, but he is a work in progress at the dish, and there are questions about his ability to hold up to the rigors of catching duties.

D'Arnaud is not in Saturday's lineup against the Dodgers, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

D'Arnaud will get Saturday afternoon off after going 0-for-3 in Friday night's game. Rene Rivera will start in his place, hitting eighth.

Nicholas went 1-for-4 with a double and a run scored in Friday's 8-4 loss to the Twins.

Nicholas was making just his second start behind the plate since being recalled from Triple-A Round Rock on July 24. The 29-year-old had initially served as the Rangers' third catcher, but the July 30 trade of Jonathan Lucroy to the Rockies will now lock Nicholas in as the primary backup to Robinson Chirinos. Expect Nicholas to pick up one or two starts per week, unless Chirinos' ongoing offensive struggles eventually prompt manager Jeff Banister to roll with a timeshare at catcher.

Perez will undergo an MRI on Saturday to examine his right side and rib area, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

Manager Ned Yost said that he was concerned about the situation. If Perez is found to have an oblique strain or a similar injury, he could easily miss multiple weeks, something the Royals certainly can't afford if they want to make a serious run at the postseason. Drew Butera replaced Perez behind the dish Friday.