MLB Player News

McCann went 3-for-4 with a triple and solo homer in Friday's 10-3 victory over the White Sox.

The 25-year-old backstop's three hits were a season high, and the three-bagger and homer were only his second and third extra-base hits of the season. McCann was proficient at the plate in his official rookie campaign last season, slashing .264/.297/.387 with seven homers and 41 RBI over 401 at-bats. However, he's found success much harder to come by to date in 2016, as the three-hit effort Friday still leaves his season line at .179/.225/.274.

Rupp went 2-for-2 with a double, a walk, and solo home run in the Phillies win over Milwaukee on Friday night.

Rupp has been in a timeshare behind the plate, but he has been more productive with a .279 average, three home runs, and 11 RBI which appears to be winning him more playing time. He has some reasonable upside so more consistent playing time could move him up on fantasy depth charts.

Royals manager Ned Yost did not rule out the possibility of Perez (quadriceps) doing more than just pinch hitting this weekend during the series against the Indians, the Kansas City Star's Rustin Dodd reports. "Maybe," Yost said. "We're still gauging it."

It sounds like there's a chance Perez could return behind the plate later in this weekend's series, but a return next week still seems more likely. That said, it does sound like Perez will at least get the chance to pinch hit this weekend.

Casali is out of the lineup Friday, the Tampa Bay Times' Marc Topkin reports.

He has caught three straight games and notched four hits, including two of the extra-base variety, over that span while also walking three times and striking out just once. Hank Conger will get the start behind the dish and hit ninth.

D'Arnaud (shoulder) could DH in a minor league game this weekend, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

While it sounds like d'Arnaud is feeling well enough to swing the bat, he has not been cleared to catch, and manager Terry Collins reiterated that d'Arnaud is still "a ways away." Injuries have been a recurring theme for the 27-year-old throughout his career, and his offense was not up to snuff when he was on the field this season.

Plawecki is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Marlins, Adam Rubin of ESPN.com reports.

Friday's absence marks Plawecki's second straight and third in the team's last four games. Plawecki has been mired in a season-long slump (.198/.300/.271) and it looks like he may be falling behind Rene Rivera as the preferred option with Travis d'Arnaud (shoulder) on the DL.

Barnhart is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Nationals, Jamie Ramsey of the Reds' front office reports.

Barnhart will get the day off after starting Thursday's game against the Rockies. In his place, Ramon Cabrera will handle catching duties and bat eighth in the lineup. Barnhart has started five of the last six games for the Reds, and will likely be back behind the plate Saturday.

Realmuto is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Mets, Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald reports.

Realmuto caught the last four games for the Marlins and will take a day off in favor of Jeff Mathis for Friday's contest. This season, Realmuto is hitting .294/.317/.390 with two home runs and 19 RBI, providing a good bat from the catcher's spot.

Jackson has gone 5-for-48 (.104 average) over 14 games with Low-A Clinton this season.

Though Jackson was fully healthy, the Mariners held the outfielder back in extended spring training when camp broke, presumably in an effort to refine his swing following a rough start to his professional career. He was ultimately cleared to make his debut with Clinton on May 19, but Jackson's issues with making contact have once again reared their head. Though three of his five hits have left the yard, he's struck out 18 times, or in 30.5 percent of his plate appearances. The 20-year-old still has time on his side, but since Jackson has been in the pro ranks for almost two years and has yet to experience any sustained success, those holding him in dynasty leagues have justifiable reason to be worried.

Perez (quadriceps) may be available as a pinch hitter by the end of the Royals' weekend series against the Indians, Rustin Dodd of the Kansas City Star reports.

Perez continued to participate in some light conditioning work Thursday for the second day in a row and he resumed throwing. While his arm is not the issue, Dodd reports that Perez is still having some difficulty getting down into his catching stance. The hope is that Perez will be able to come in as a pinch hitter over the weekend, but there's still no word on when the All-Star will be able to get back behind the plate.