MLB Player News

Royals catcher Salvador Perez worked past a minor injury scare on Saturday against the Brewers in an exhibition game, the Kansas City Star reports.

A foul tip caught him on the left hand in the bottom of the fourth inning. Trainers came in to check on him, but he remained in the game. Perez finished 0 for 3 in a 7-2 defeat. He is hitting .370 with six home runs and 23 RBI this spring.

Royals catcher Salvador Perez went 1 for 2 with one walk and two runs in his team's 5-4 win over the Brewers Friday.

Perez was struck in the head by a pitch Wednesday but escaped serious injury and jumped right back into action after a day of rest. He's posted a .392 average and hit four home runs during an excellent spring campaign.

Orioles catcher Johnny Monell has cleared waivers and will begin the regular season at Triple-A Norfolk.

Monell reached the majors for the first time last season and managed one hit in eight at-bats.

The Nationals announced Wednesday that infielder Jeff Kobernus has been optioned to Triple-A and catcher Sandy Leon has been optioned to Double-A Harrisburg.

Royals catcher Salvador Perez is fine after being hit in the head by a curveball Wednesday, according to the Kansas City Star. The trainer described it as "non-concussive" and Perez confirmed that he's OK.

Royals starting catcher Salvador Perez was hit in the head by a pitch in an exhibition game Wednesday, but appears OK, per the Kansas City Star, which further reported he walked off the field under his own power after sitting for a few moments.

Perez emerged as one of the better hitting catchers in the game last season. He batted .292 with 13 home runs and 79 RBI.

Reds catcher Devin Mesoraco is unlikely to play in a game Thursday, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer.

Mesoraco has been dealing with an oblique injury, but has been able to take swings the past two days. His opening day status is already in question. Mesoraco hit .238/.287/.362 in 323 at-bats last year.

Josh Thole batted just .175 last season, but the Blue Jays are not keeping him on their roster in 2014 for his bat. The team has announced that Thole will be the personal catcher for knuckleballer and ace R.A. Dickey.

Thole's batting average has dropped every season since he hit .321 with the Mets in 2009. The Jays, however, want to make certain they have someone to handle the elusive knuckler thrown by Dickey.

The Blue Jays announced Wednesday they will go with a three-man bench to start the season. Catcher Josh Thole, infielder Maicer Izturis and outfielder Moises Sierra will be the team's three reserve players to begin the season.

Padres catcher Yasmani Grandal was behind the plate for nine innings in a minor-league game Tuesday, MLB.com reports.

Grandal is working his way back from season-ending knee surgery and could end up making the team's active roster on opening day, as the ability to catch a full nine innings is a big hurdle to overcome.