MLB Player News

Maldonado hit a two-run home run in a 1-for-5 game in a loss Monday to Atlanta

Maldonado hit his first home run in June 1. Since then, he is hitting .239/.357/.451 with five homers in 25 games. Maldonado strikes out too much to hit for a good batting average, but he has solid power and should be able to reach double-digits in home runs now that the Jonathan Lucroy trade has cleared his path to playing time.

McCann is out of the lineup Monday against the Mariners, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

With the right-handed Hisashi Iwakuma taking the mound for Seattle, the Tigers will opt to start Jarrod Saltalamacchia behind the dish. McCann, who's hitting just .168/.211/.197 against righties, will likely return to the lineup Tuesday night when Wade LeBlanc starts for the Mariners.

Perez went 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI in Sunday's 3-2 loss to the Yankees.

It's actually his first multi-hit game of the season, as injuries and ineffectiveness has made Perez a non-factor at the plate so far in 2016. Hopefully he can use Sunday's performance and the steady playing time he's been seeing with Yan Gomes (shoulder) on the DL to build some momentum on offense.

Leon is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Dodgers, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Leon will get two days of rest before likely returning behind the plate Tuesday. In his absence Sunday, Bryan Holaday will get the start behind the dish, batting seventh for the Red Sox.

Rupp is out of the lineup Sunday against the Padres, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Rupp has been phenomenal at the plate in recent outings, having gone 8-for-23 with three home runs over the last seven days. However, he'll have the day off as the Phillies opt to start Carlos Ruiz behind the plate against San Diego. Rupp will likely return to the lineup Monday when Philadelphia begins their series against the Dodgers.

Realmuto is out of the lineup Sunday against the Rockies, Jenny Cavnar of Root Sports reports.

Realmuto will have the day off as Jeff Mathis starts behind the dish for the Marlins. Realmuto has been swinging the bat well in recent outing and is 7-for-19 (.368) over the last seven days. He'll likely return to the lineup Monday against the Giants.

Barnhart is out of the lineup Sunday against the Pirates.

It's a regular day off for Barnhart, who will get the afternoon finale to rest after starting the first two games of the series. Ramon Cabrera will man the backstop in his stead.

Perez is out of the lineup Sunday against the Blue Jays, Josh Vernier of 610 Sports Radio AM reports.

Perez is hitting just 14-for-72 (.194 average) since the All-Star break, suggesting he may be starting to wear down following a tremendous start to the season. Manager Ned Yost may try to build in more off days for the durable catcher, who will sit for the third time in the Royals' last 11 games. Drew Butera will fill in behind the plate Sunday.

Perez will start at catcher and bat ninth in the order Sunday against the Yankees.

After Jonathan Lucroy vetoed a trade from the Brewers to Indians last weekend, the Indians will have to get by with Perez and Chris Gimenez as their catchers until Yan Gomes (shoulder) returns from the DL. Perez appears to be in line to see the bulk of the starts behind the plate, as he'll get the nod Sunday for the third time in four games. That could boost his value in AL-only leagues, but his .050/.245/.050 batting line across 53 plate appearances to date means he shouldn't be viewed as an option yet in most mixed formats.

Sanchez is out of the lineup Sunday against the Indians.

Since being promoted to the big leagues last Tuesday, Sanchez had made four straight starts -- two at catcher and two at DH -- but manager Joe Girardi will give the youngster a rest Sunday. With a 5-for-15 showing through his first four games that has included three doubles and three RBI, Sanchez isn't at risk of losing out on regular at-bats, as Girardi has already committed to phasing out Alex Rodriguez in order to open up more time for the top prospect. Given the weakness of the catcher position this season, Sanchez should make for a sound option heading into the upcoming week, especially in two-catcher formats.