MLB Player News

Perez had a career day at the plate Sunday, going 3-for-5 with a home run and five RBI in a blowout win over Baltimore.

Perez has received spotty playing time this season, but he has now driven in at least one run in four consecutive starts, with a pair of homers and nine total RBI during that stretch. He will continue to see regular playing time with Geovany Soto (knee) on the disabled list, and he seems to be taking well to the regular at-bats.

Updating a previous report, Grandal appears to be dealing with a foot ailment, Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register reports.

Despite the discomfort, Grandal is expected to be available off the bench if he's needed in a pinch-hit situation. Manager Dave Roberts will simply give him a break from regular catching duties, with the hope being that the break will help him return to full strength in the near future.

Grandal won't start Sunday against the Padres.

Grandal will sit on getaway day Sunday in favor of A.J. Ellis, and it's possible that absence will extend through Monday with the Dodgers scheduled to face the left-handed Brandon Finnegan. Regardless, Grandal remains the primary catcher, despite batting just .196 on the season. Per Ken Gurnick of MLB.com, Grandal is available to pinch hit Sunday, if needed.

Realmuto is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Nationals, according to MLB.com's Joe Frisaro.

Realmuto, who is hitting .323 so far in May, will be held out Sunday with the Marlins playing a day game following a night game. Jeff Mathis will get the start behind the plate in Realmuto's place.

Plawecki is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Brewers.

Plawecki went 0-for-3 on Saturday, and the Mets are playing a day game Sunday following a night game, so manager Terry Collins decided to hold him out of the lineup for the second time in three days. Rene Rivera will make another start behind the plate in Plawecki's place.

McCann is out of the lineup Sunday against the Rays.

Chalk it up as a regular day off for the Tigers' primary backstop, as McCann will give way to Jarrod Saltalamacchia behind the plate for the afternoon contest.

Barnhart is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Mariners.

Barnhart started 10 of the last 11 games, and all of the last five, behind the plate, so manager Bryan Price decided it was time for a day off Sunday. Ramon Cabrera will serve as the Reds' starting catcher in Barnhart's place.

Gomes is out of the lineup for Saturday's game against Boston.

Chris Gimenez will take over catching duties Saturday with Gomes getting the afternoon off. After a brutally slow start to the season, Gomes has started to turn things around at the dish over the last week, slashing .286/.304/.667 with a pair of home runs. He figures to rejoin the lineup for Sunday's series finale against Rick Porcello.

Bethancourt hit a two-run homer as a pinch hitter in Friday's win over the Dodgers.

Bethancourt was originally penciled in the lineup to play right field, but was later scratched as the Padres changed their mind about giving him his first playing time in the outfield. The pinch-hit home run shows the change wasn't due to a health concern. His strong start to the season (.874 OPS) has the Padres considering creative ways to get him into the lineup.

Bethancourt is a late scratch from Friday's lineup in a matchup with the Dodgers, Dennis Lin of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

It was originally surprising that Bethancourt was given the nod in right field considering he had never started anywhere other than behind the plate in his career. However, the Padres have decided to scratch that plan at the last minute and go with Jose Pirela in right.