MLB Player News

Perez (thumb) could head out on a rehab assignment over the weekend, MLB.com reports.

Perez has been sidelined since May 1 with a fractured thumb and saw limited action as the team's backup before the injury. Starter Yan Gomes is still struggling at the plate, which could yield a slight uptick in Perez's workload but he'll need to unseat Chris Gimenez, whose work with Trevor Bauer has the righty on a strong stretch of games (11 starts, 2.80 ERA with 65 strikeouts in 74 innings), first.

Thole went 2-for-4 with a walk Wednesday against the Rockies.

Thole made the most of his unusual spot-start for Russell Martin (rest). Typically, Thole only catches knuckleballer R.A. Dickey, but recently manager John Gibbons has decided to give the 33-year-old Martin rest more routinely. Entering Wednesday's game, Thole had amassed just two hits since April 26. Even if given the opportunity to play more often, Thole holds little to no value in most leagues.

Grandal is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Brewers.

Grandal will take a seat while A.J. Ellis gets the start for Wednesday night's matchup with Junior Guerra and the Brewers. The 27-year-old has been struggling lately, going 0-for-13 with four strikeouts in his last three games.

D'Arnaud is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Nationals, Adam Rubin of ESPN.com reports.

After starting two straight and five of the last six games, d'Arnaud will take the night off in favor of Rene Rivera. D'Arnaud has struggled to put up anywhere near the .268/.340/.485 line that he did in 2015, as his batting average currently sits at a lowly .206 through 19 games played. If he can start to produce offensively it would bring a much-needed boost to the a Mets lineup that ranks 28th in the league with 3.61 runs scored per game.

Hedges had a huge day Tuesday, going 3-for-6 with two home runs, a single, and four RBI.

Hedges has been absolutely mashing in Triple-A El Paso, hitting .380/.427/780 with 11 homers in just 28 games. Tuesday's homer made it seven home runs in as many days for the 23-year-old catcher. Padres starting catcher Derek Norris has hit much better this past month, hitting .274 with five homers in June, but one wonders what more Hedges can do to deserve a call-up.

McCann is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against Miami.

It seems like a routine day off for McCann with right-hander Tom Koehler taking the mound for the Marlins. Jarrod Saltalamacchia will step in behind the plate.

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

After starting back-to-back games, Barnhart will give way to Ramon Cabrera behind the plate and in the No. 8 spot. Neither catcher has provided much pop, but Barnhart does own a respectable .249 batting average and .318 on-base percentage, albeit with just two homers, 12 RBI and 14 runs in 54 games (196 plate appearances). The Reds typically use the No. 8 hole for their catcher, and Barnharnt hasn't hit in the top five of the order all year.

Leon went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run in Monday's loss to the Reds.

Leon has been a pleasant surprise offensively for the Red Sox since joining the team earlier this month. The 27-year-old catcher is now hitting .483 through his first 29 at-bats, driving home six runs and collecting five extra-base hits in the process.

Rupp is in the lineup for Monday's game against the Diamondbacks.

After sitting out of Sunday's contest, Rupp will be facing the left-handed Robbie Ray. Rupp is hitting .281/303/.500 against southpaws this season and has gone 6-for-19 with three home runs over the last seven days.

Grandal is not in the lineup for Monday's game against the Pirates, according to David Vassegh of AM 570 LA reports.

Grandal will be held out in favor of A.J. Ellis with the Dodgers loading up on right-handed hitters against Pirates southpaw Francisco Liriano. The Pirates will start another lefty Tuesday in Jon Niese, so Grandal could be limited to pinch-hit duty for a couple days in a row.