MLB Player News

Sanchez will begin serving a three-game suspension Monday for his role in a brawl between the Yankees and Tigers on Aug. 24, Sweeny Murti of Sports Radio 66 WFAN reports.

Sanchez was originally slapped with a four-game suspension, but it was appealed down to three games. He'll be eligible to return for the weekend series against the Rangers on Friday. In the meantime, Austin Romine and Erik Kratz will share duties behind the dish.

Perez went 2-for-4 with two RBI and a walk in Sunday's 11-1 shellacking of the Tigers.

Much like he did last year, the backup catcher is heating up late in the campaign. Since the start of August, Perez is hitting .317 with three home runs and 14 RBI through 15 games. His lack of consistent playing time makes him unusable in most leagues, but Perez is worth deploying in daily formats as long as he remains hot.

Stassi (hand) will be activated from the 10-day disabled list Monday, Jake Kaplan of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Stassi wrapped up a three-game rehab assignment Friday with Double-A Corpus Christi, during which he recorded four hits -- including two home runs -- in nine at-bats. Suffice to say, his left hand doesn't appear to be presenting any issues and shouldn't impact his availability when he rejoins the Astros, though it's unlikely Stassi will see much usage behind No. 1 catcher Brian McCann.

Vazquez is out of the lineup Sunday against the Yankees, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

He'll cede catching duties to Sandy Leon after starting three of the previous four contests. With a .330/.382/.489 batting line since the All-Star break, Vazquez is finally starting to gain a little separation in the job battle with Leon.

Realmuto is out of the lineup Sunday against the Phillies, Joe Frisaro of MLB.com reports.

Realmuto has made six straight starts, alternating between first base and catcher over the last four games. He'll ride the pine for the series finale, however, as A.J. Ellis will get the nod behind the plate, while Tomas Telis draws the start at first base. Realmuto was 1-for-5 at the plate Saturday, though he did help fantasy owners by stealing two bases.

Stewart is out of the lineup Sunday against the Reds, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

While Francisco Cervelli (quadriceps) is on the DL, Stewart has drawn four of the last five starts behind the plate for Pittsburgh. Sunday will mark Stewart's second consecutive day out of the lineup, however, as the team will turn to Elias Diaz as it attempts to take the series from Cincinnati.

Gomes is out of the lineup Sunday against the Tigers.

Gomes is simply getting a breather for the day game after a night game, allowing Roberto Perez to pick up a start behind the plate. The Indians recalled top catching prospect Francisco Mejia on Friday when rosters expanded, but he has yet to start in any of the Tribe's four games since his promotion and doesn't look like he's a serious threat to Gomes' spot atop the depth chart just yet.

Barnhart was reinstated from the paternity list Sunday, MLB.com reports.

Barnhart has missed three games since landing on the paternity list Thursday, all of which were started by Stuart Turner. With Barnhart back to primary catching duties, Turner will return to the backup role. Barnhart isn't in Sunday's lineup, however, as he will instead rejoin the team in Cincinnati, per C. Trent Rosecrans of The Cincinnati Enquirer.

Sanchez started the nightcap of Saturday's doubleheader with the Dodgers, going 1-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored in a 7-2 win.

Sanchez was one of several Padres backups who gained an extra start due to Saturday's twin billing. The 27-year-old backstop has been primarily used as a pinch hitter this season, but he gains daily fantasy appeal when he is in the lineup based on his eight home runs in 121 plate appearances.

Hedges is not in the lineup for the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Dodgers.

He will rest his legs after catching the first game of the twin bill, as is standard for backstops. Luis Torrens will step in to catch for starter Jordan Lyles.