MLB Player News

A knee injury and the struggle to find his stroke has pretty much cost Indians catcher Yan Gomes half a season. But he's finally showing signs of life.

Gomes is batting .333 (7-for-21) in his last five games to end a 4-for-37 slide. PITCHf/x reports that he has slammed seven balls with exit velocities of at least 100 mph since June 16 after managing zero before the injury that knocked him out for six weeks. He is simply trying to grind his way through it.

"This game is so frustrating and so hard," Gomes told MLB.com. "And the more and more I think about looking at the board and seeing if I'm getting there, or if I'm going to get talks from you guys where I'm struggling or something, it's just some stuff that I can't even worry about.

"It comes down to good at-bats or hard outs or bloopers - whatever. It's going to work out the way it's supposed to work out. From my career, I know I'm a good hitter. I know things are going to turn out."

Gomes added that he's feeling better at the plate.

"You've just got to take it and know it's a good sign," he said. "I'm seeing the ball well."

The American League starters for the 2015 All-Star Game on July 14 were announced Sunday. The Royals will send four starters to the Summer Classic, with Salvador Perez, Alcides Escobar, Lorenzo Cain and Alex Gordon leading the votes in their respective positions.

Angels outfielder Mike Trout will make his fourth consecutive All-Star appearance. He received the most votes of any outfielder and the second most on the AL roster.

Catcher: Salvador Perez, Royals
First baseman: Miguel Cabrera, Tigers (injured)
Second baseman: Jose Altuve, Astros
Third baseman: Josh Donaldson, Blue Jays (top AL vote-getter)
Shortstop: Alcides Escobar, Royals
Outfield: Mike Trout, Angels
Outfield: Lorenzo Cain, Royals
Outfield: Alex Gordon, Royals
Designated Hitter: Nelson Cruz , Mariners

Rays catcher Curt Casali picked up two RBIs, doubling his season total, without the use of a hit in Tampa Bay's win over the Yankees on Sunday. 

Casali went 1-for-2 on the day to raise his average to .280, but it was his second-innng sacrifice fly and eighth-inning bases loaded walk that lifted his RBI total to three on the season. 

The young catcher has been a find since cracking Tampa Bay's lineup, registering at least one hit in four of his last five starts.

Dodgers catcher Yasmani Grandal isn't in the starting lineup for Sunday's game. Grandal has started a team-high 56 games behind the plate, including six of the last seven. 

In Grandal's place, A.J. Ellis gets the start at catcher for the 25th time this year. Ellis and Grandal have split the last four starts. 

The Diamondbacks have reinstated catcher Oscar Hernandez from the 60-day disabled list, the team announced on Saturday. Hernandez has been out all season due to a broken hand.

Hernandez played in 13 rehab games, going 8 for 38 with three RBI.  

As a Rule 5 draft pick, the Diamondbacks must keep a healthy Hernandez on the 25-man roster, or risk losing him back to the Rays.

The D-Backs have optioned outfielder Danny Dorn to Triple-A to clear room on the roster for Hernandez.

Red Sox catcher Christian Vazquez, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery, has begun hitting off a tee and also hitting soft toss in batting practice, according to The Providence Journal. His throwing program will begin in August.

Vazquez is still expected to miss the entire 2015 season after undergoing surgery in April.

Tigers catcher James McCann hit his fourth home run of the season during Wednesday's loss to the Pirates.

McCann went 2 for 4 with a solo home run in the ninth inning. 

McCann is hitting .500 with seven hits, two home runs and three RBI over his last three games.

Dodgers catcher Yasmani Grandal blasted his 12th home run of the season in the 6-4 win over the Diamondbacks on Tuesday. Grandal smoked a two-run shot in the second inning to give his club an early 2-0 advantage. 

He later added a two-run double in the 10th inning to pad the Dodgers' lead to 6-3. He has now homered in two straight games, and has four over his last eight contests. 

"Yaz has had some big offensive games for us," Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said, per MLB.com. "I still think there's more in there, to be honest."

Tigers catcher James McCann went 3 for 6 in Tuesday's 14-inning loss to Pittsburgh. 

McCann is 5 for his last 10 with RBI in his last two games. He hit his 11th double and drove in his 16th run. 

Diamondbacks manager Chip Hale said catcher Oscar Hernandez could be activated from the disabled list as soon as this weekend, according to Fox Sports Arizona. Hernandez, who is recovering from a wrist injury, has played in 10 rehab games so far, amassing six hits in 28 at-bats.

It is unclear exactly when Hernandez will be activated, and what his role will be with the Diamondbacks upon his return. Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Welington Castillo seem to be entrenched as platoon-mates behind the plate.