MLB Player News

Indians catcher Roberto Perez said he is ready for the everyday role behind the plate with starter Yan Gomes sidelined 6-8 weeks due to a knee injury.

"My mentality hasn't changed," Perez said, per MLB.com. "I always come to the field ready to play. I pretend like I'm going to play that day, so nothing changes."

The Indians appear to have full confidence in Perez, who was lauded for his defense in the minors.

"He's a backup here because we have Yan Gomes," said Sandy Alomar Jr., the Indians' first-base coach and a former major-league catcher. "Anywhere else, he could start.

"He's a good catcher, man. He's prepared. We're in good hands behind the dish until Gomer gets back. It's a big loss for us having Yan Gomes out, but I think Roberto is going to do a good job."

The Indians are also confident Perez can get the job done offensively. Perez hit .305 with eight home runs and 43 RBI in 53 games at Triple-A last season.

"He really kind of turned it around," manager Terry Francona said. "His batting average or whatever, that's not the end all, be all. But the fact that he's a threat when he's hitting is important, because he can drive the ball out of the ballpark. He has improved dramatically."

Reds catcher Devin Mesoraco is scheduled to undergo an MRI Monday due to discomfort in his left hip, MLB.com reports.

Mesoraco wasn't in the starting lineup Sunday but was able to enter the game in the eighth and catch the final four innings of the 11-inning loss. However, he remained behind in Cincinnati to undergo testing on the hip. The catcher is just 2 for 21 with one stolen base and no extra-base hits in six games.

The Marlins have recalled catching prospect J.T. Realmuto and pitcher Carter Capps from Triple-A New Orleans while selecting the contract of infielder Reid Brignac, the team announced Monday.

Realmuto will take over backup-catcher duties from Jeff Mathis, who suffered a fractured finger Sunday. Realmuto got his first taste of major-league action last season, hitting .241/.267/.345 with nine RBI in 29 at-bats. He's 5 for 13 with a stolen base in three games with Triple-A New Orleans.

Capps is set to join the Marlins pitching staff with Henderson Alvarez heading to the disabled list. Capps has made two appearances with New Orleans this season, giving up two earned runs in one inning of work.

Brignac will serve as a utility infielder after Don Kelly suffered a fractured finger Sunday. Brignac hit .222/.300/.346 in 81 at-bats with the Phillies last season.

The Marlins will call up catching prospect J.T. Realmuto , CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman reports.

Realmuto will take over backup-catcher duties from Jeff Mathis, who suffered a fractured finger Sunday. Realmuto got his first taste of major-league action last season, hitting .241/.267/.345 with nine RBI in 29 at-bats. He's 5 for 13 with a stolen base in three games with Triple-A New Orleans.

The Indians don't plan to seek a starting catcher with Yan Gomes sidelined 6-8 weeks due to an MCL sprain, according to FOX Sports reporter Ken Rosenthal. 

The team views Roberto Perez as a capable starter, but the team could look for an upgrade at backup catcher over Brett Hayes.

Royals center fielder Lorenzo Cain might get a day off Wednesday against the Twins, with Jarrod Dyson replacing him in the starting lineup, manager Ned Yost said Monday.

Yost also indicated Erik Kratz might also get a start in place of catcher Salvador Perez on Thursday.

Cain and Perez have started all seven games, including Monday at Minnesota.

Mets manager Terry Collins is dropping center fielder Juan Lagares one spot in the batting order. 

Lagares was a candidate for the leadoff spot in spring training, but he opened the season in the six hole in the order. After opening the season with a .160 average and six strikeouts in 25 at bats, Lagares will bat seventh on Monday. 

"If he continues to swing the bat like he can, he'll be in the leadoff spot," Collins said, per ESPN. "Right now, he's struggling a little bit. So we kind of like where he's at. We've got all the confidence in the world. When that confidence fades, we'll find somebody else. But, right now, this guy is one of the real, real good players and an up-and-coming star in this game."

Catcher Travis d'Arnaud, who is hitting .333 with five RBI, moves up from the seventh spot. 

Royals catcher Salvador Perez went 2 for 5 at the plate in Kansas City's 9-2 win over the Angels Sunday. 

Perez got things going early with an RBI single in the second, driving home Kendrys Morales. Then, Perez came to the plate in the seventh and ripped the first pitch he saw from Fernando Salas to left center field for his third homer of the year. Perez has a .417/.440/.833 slash line to start the season.

The Marlins are likely to call up catcher J.T. Realmuto and infielder Reid Brignac from Triple-A New Orleans to the 25-man roster, according to a report from the Miami Herald. 

Realmuto and Brignac would replace utility man Don Kelly and Jeff Mathis, who could end up on the disabled list soon. Both Kelly and Mathis fractured fingers during Sunday's 8-5 loss to the Rays. 

The Indians announced Sunday that after undergoing an MRI, catcher Yan Gomes will miss 6-to-8 weeks with a moderate MCL sprain suffered during a play at the plate during Saturday's game against the Tigers. 

Gomes was placed on the 15-day DL earlier Sunday, but the MRI confirmed a more serious injury. He was 3 for 20 with a double and two runs scored on the young campaign, but was considered to be one of the key pieces for the Indians in their contention for a division crown.

Gomes hit .278 with 21 home runs last season.