MLB Player News

The Giants optioned catcher Hector Sanchez to Triple-A Fresno on Friday to clear a spot on the active roster for outfielder Francisco Peguero. In 11 games with San Francisco, Sanchez posted a .150 average while driving in just one run.

The Brewers will start Martin Maldonado at first base for the third straight game Tuesday against Pittsburgh, the club announced.

Maldonado has now started at first in four of the past six games. Tuesday marks his seventh start at the position in 2013. Maldonado has been iffy defensively, but Alex Gonzalez's struggles at the plate (.459 OPS) have made the move a necessity for Milwaukee. Maldonado is hitting .214/.267/.405 and a robust .250/.318/.550 in his last six games.

Yankees catcher Chris Stewart was a little underwhelming in his first weekend as New York's starting catcher. Stewart, who was given Monday off with Austin Romine making his first start, went just 1 for 7 in two games. 

Stewart struck out twice and singled for his only hit against Toronto pitching. He was 1 for 9 with two walks and three Ks in the series overall. Stewart is batting .267 for the year with a homer and one RBI. 

Brewers backup catcher Martin Maldonado connected for his first home run of the season Saturday against the Dodgers. Maldonado had a two-run homer off Matt Guerrier.

Maldonado, who has made five starts in 22 games, is batting .200 (7 for 35) with three doubles and six RBI in 11 games.

The Indians recalled catcher Yan Gomes from Triple-A Columbus Sunday after placing catcher Lou Marson on the 15-day disabled list with a sore right shoulder. Gomes hit .211 (4 for 19) in six games for Cleveland before his demotion Wednesday.

Royals catcher Salvador Perez finally got on the board Saturday against the Indians after not hitting a home run in his first 19 games. He launched a two-run bomb off starter Scott Kazmir in the second inning and finished 1 for 4 in the 3-2 win.

Perez is batting .273 with eight RBI.

Yankees backup catcher Chris Stewart has been a pleasant surprise in a limited role, but he will likely be asked to carry a much heavier burden for at least the next month. Starter Francisco Cervelli went down Friday with a fractured right hand, an injury that will cost him at least six weeks after surgery.

The Yankees will likely make a move to fill in the backup spot, but Stewart should get the first crack at the starting role, thanks to his .333 batting average so far. Despite entering a larger role, Stewart is unlikely to make much of an impact for Fantasy owners. He is a career .223 hitter, with five home runs in 372 at-bats. He is playing for his glove, not his bat, and most Fantasy leagues don't reward for caught stealing and pitches successfully blocked in the dirt.

Everyday at-bats will likely expose Stewart as incapable of handling a large share of the catching duties, and it would not be a surprise if he is eventually backing up former top prospect Austin Romine before long. Beyond deep, two-catcher, AL-only Fantasy formats, Stewart is likely not worth your time. 

Royals catcher Salvador Perez has yet to hit a home run this season in 19 games played. He's hitting .274/.280/.356 in 75 plate appearances.

Perez homered in his first game of 2012 en route to hitting 11 home runs in 305 plate appearances, and he had multiple home runs in June, July, August and September of last season. He'll attempt to notch his first homer of 2013 in this weekend's series against the Indians.

Padres catching prospect Austin Hedges had to leave Wednesday's Class-A game.

Hedges was involved in a collision at the plate in the sixth inning and could not continue playing. After the game, Hedges said, "it's just a little sore, but it's nothing serious." There has been no update on whether Hedges will miss any games. 

The Indians optioned catcher Yan Gomes to Triple-A Columbus Wednesday after activating catcher Lou Marson (neck) off the disabled list. Gomes hit .211 (4 for 19) with one triple, two home runs and three RBI in six games.