MLB Player News

Vazquez is out of the lineup for Friday's series opener against the Tigers, Evan Drellich of CSN New England reports.

Vazquez continues to split time with Sandy Leon, who is behind the dish for Friday's contest and batting eighth in the order. In the two games Vazquez started against the Yankees, he went 0-for-7 at the plate with three strikeouts, but he has clearly been an upgrade over Leon thus far in 2017.

Realmuto is not in the lineup Friday against the Pirates, Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald reports.

Despite collecting hits in each of the last three games, Realmuto will head to the bench for a breather Friday. A.J. Ellis will draw the start in his stead, batting eighth. Realmuto is enjoying a nice year at the dish, slashing .291/.359/.439 in 51 games.

Diaz is not in the lineup Friday against the Marlins.

Diaz is expected to pick up most of the starts while both Francisco Cervelli (concussion) and Chris Stewart (hamstring) are sidelined, but the young backstop will get a night off after two consecutive starts. Jacob Stallings will assume catching duties for the evening.

Contreras is not in the Cubs' lineup Friday against the Rockies, Bruce Miles of the Chicago Daily Herald reports.

The backstop continues his timeshare with Miguel Montero, who'll receive pitches from Mike Montgomery. Contreras has struggled to build on his exciting 2016 stint, batting just .248/.317/.404 with five home runs and 24 RBI in 180 plate appearances this season.

Hedges went 1-for-4 with two RBI during Thursday's loss to Arizona.

Hedges has started 49 of 61 games for the Padres, which means he's one of the busier catchers in the league. It's a huge boon to his counting stats and fantasy value. While Hedges' .211 batting average and .261 on-base percentage are category anchors, 11 home runs and 30 RBI are top-tier numbers for a backstop.

Perez (thumb) is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Astros, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

Perez suffered a slight thumb sprain during Wednesday's game that forced the catcher to come out of the contest in the eighth inning. Manager Ned Yost stated that he was not concerned about the injury, but it seems as though the Royals will be cautious with Perez and give him the night off in favor of Drew Butera before heading to San Diego this weekend.

Hedges is batting fifth and catching Thursday against the Diamondbacks, Jack Magruder of FanRagSports.com reports.

The backstop received a breather Wednesday in favor of Luis Torrens. Hedges resurfaces Thursday to catch Clayton Richard. He's batting only .211/.261/.439 with a .296 wOBA in 185 plate appearances, but his 11 home runs help him stand out as at least a top No. 2 catcher in a volatile player pool.

Manager Ned Yost is not concerned about the thumb injury that forced Perez out of Wednesday's contest, Rustin Dodd of The Kansas City Star reports.

Yost hinted he was optimistic that Perez would be ready to play Thursday night. The skipper described the ailment as a "dinged" thumb, and added, "We'll see how he feels tomorrow." Drew Butera will handle the catching duties should Perez be unable to go.

Maldonado will get a day off for Thursday's series finale against the Tigers, Pedro Moura of the LA Times reports.

In his place, Juan Graterol is starting behind the plate while batting ninth. Maldonado went 1-for-3 in Wednesday's loss to Detroit, and has been putting together his best season to date with a line of .264/.331/.384. The 30-year-old will likely be back in the lineup for Friday's contest against the Astros.

Maldonado will get a day off for Thursday's series finale against the Tigers, Pedro Moura of the LA Times reports.

In his place, Juan Graterol is starting behind the plate while batting ninth. Maldonado went 1-for-3 in Wednesday's loss to Detroit, and has been putting together his best season to date with a line of .264/.331/.384. The 30-year-old will likely be back in the lineup for Friday's contest against the Astros.