MLB Player News

Perez was removed from Wednesday's game against the Reds after getting hit in the hand by a pitch, Joel Goldberg of Bally Sports Kansas City reports.

Perez was forced to exit the game during the third inning and looked to be in serious pain. He will presumably go into the Royals' clubhouse for imaging, and the team should provide an official update shortly.

Smith is not in the starting lineup versus the White Sox on Wednesday, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Smith will take a seat with Austin Barnes (wrist) returning to the lineup for the Dodgers for the first time since Thursday. In the month of June, Smith has slashed .206/.289/.441 with two homers and five RBI over 34 at-bats.

Barnes (wrist) is hitting ninth and catching versus the White Sox on Wednesday, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Barnes will return to the lineup for the first time since Thursday when he was plunked by a pitch on his right wrist. Will Smith is getting Wednesday off while Barnes handles backstop duties.

Kelly will start at catcher and bat eighth in Wednesday's game against the Phillies.

Kelly has now started in three straight games since returning from the 60-day injured list Monday for his 2023 debut with the Diamondbacks and looks as though he'll operate as Arizona's top catcher ahead of Gabriel Moreno. However, given that Kelly is off to an 0-for-7 start at the plate since being activated, he may have to pick up the pace with the bat to ensure he sticks ahead of Moreno on the depth chart for the balance of the season.

Moreno is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Phillies.

After hitting .280 in his first 179 plate appearances of the season while also grading out well defensively, Moreno looked as though he had done enough to retain the Diamondbacks' No. 1 catching job when Carson Kelly was reinstated from the 60-day injured list Monday, but manager Torey Lovullo evidently felt differently. Moreno now finds himself on the bench for the third game in a row and looks like he could wind up serving as Kelly's backup.

Leon was designated for assignment Wednesday, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Leon retained his spot after Mitch Garver returned from the injured list earlier in June, but he's now being sent out in favor of Sam Huff as the Rangers swap out third catchers. The veteran backstop is just 6-for-41 at the plate this season.

Huff was recalled from Triple-A Round Rock on Wednesday, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Huff has spent nearly all of this season at Round Rock, where he's posted an .836 OPS with nine home runs in 41 games. He'll be the Rangers' third catcher and could get the occasional start at designated hitter.

Jansen is out of the starting lineup for Wednesday's contest against the Orioles.

Jansen was activated from the 10-day injured list Tuesday after recovering from a left groin strain, and he went 0-for-5 in his return to the lineup. He'll get a day of rest Wednesday with Alejandro Kirk handling catching duties and hitting fifth in Jansen's absence.

Diaz will serve as Houston's designated hitter and No. 6 batter in Wednesday's game against the Nationals, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Diaz will pick up his third consecutive start, with two having come against right-handed pitchers. With the Astros keeping Cesar Salazar on the 26-man active roster for the time being as a third option at catcher, Diaz looks as though he'll move between designated hitter and first base while Houston aims to replace Yordan Alvarez (oblique). Diaz appears to have an edge over Corey Julks and Chas McCormick for the last spot in Houston's everyday lineup.

Kolozsvary was designated for assignment Wednesday by the Orioles.

Kolozsvary was optioned to Triple-A earlier Wednesday and he is now no longer a part of the team's 40-man roster. Right-handed pitcher Reed Garrett had his contract selected from Triple-A and will replace Kolozsvary on the 40-man roster Wednesday.