MLB Player News

Perez went 1-for-4 with an RBI single and a run in a win over the Cardinals on Wednesday, his first start since being activated from the injured list Tuesday.

Perez had a pinch-hitting cameo in Tuesday's game and delivered a single in that capacity, and he then drew into the starting nine as the designated hitter Wednesday. The versatile veteran is capable of occasional offensive contributions and can fill in at both catcher and first base in addition to DH, so he should continue to see fairly regular playing time down the stretch.

Soderstrom entered Wednesday's win over the Cardinals as a pinch hitter in the eighth inning and hit a solo home run in his only plate appearance.

Soderstrom provided the final run of the afternoon for the Athletics with a massive 454-foot homer to center with one out in the ninth inning. The rookie's second career round-tripper also extended a stretch of modest success at the plate, as it marked his fourth time hitting safely in the last five games. Soderstrom still has plenty of catching up to do against big-league arms before becoming a reliable offensive contributor, however, as he's carrying a .171/.250/.263 slash line across his first 84 plate appearances.

Thaiss went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk in a 2-0 win against the Rangers on Wednesday.

Thaiss came into Wednesday having gone 0-for-10 over his previous five games and batting a meager .107 through 28 at-bats in August. He snapped the cold spell, at least temporarily, with a 450-foot solo blast to center field in the ninth inning that gave the Angels an important insurance run. Thaiss has been working as Los Angeles' primary catcher of late with Chad Wallach also struggling this month, though both backstops will likely see less playing time when Logan O'Hoppe (shoulder), who his currently rehabbing in Triple-A, returns to the lineup in the coming weeks.

Gallagher (head) was removed from Wednesday's game versus the Reds to undergo precautionary testing, Tom Withers of the Associated Press reports.

Gallagher went 0-for-1 before sustaining the head injury. He can be considered day-to-day until the results of those tests are known, but there's a chance he could end up on the 7-day concussion injured list if the results aren't good.

Smith went 3-for-4 with two RBI in Wednesday's 7-1 win over the Brewers.

Smith also supplied a sacrifice fly. The catcher had gone just 4-for-22 over his last seven games since his previous multi-hit effort. For the season, he's up to a .277/.378/.469 slash line with 15 home runs, 61 RBI, 62 runs scored, two stolen bases and 18 doubles through 94 games as a consistent presence in the heart of the lineup.

Raleigh went 2-for-5 with a two-run home run and a double in Wednesday's 6-5 win over the Royals.

Raleigh's blast capped off a three-run first inning for the Mariners. The catcher snapped his 0-for-14 skid with the long ball, which was his fifth of the month and 21st of the year. He's posted a .221/.301/.448 slash line with 53 RBI, 56 runs scored and 18 doubles over 105 contests, providing solid power from the middle of the lineup.

Contreras, who is out of Wednesday's lineup against the A's due to hip tightness, is feeling better and could be available off the bench, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

The 31-year-old is out of the starting nine for the second straight game due to the hip issue, but it sounds like he could make an appearance as a reserve. The Cardinals open a four-game series with the Mets on Thursday, and Contreras' reported improvement is an encouraging development ahead of the series opener.

Fermin is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Mariners.

With Matt Beaty picking up more starts at first base of late, Salvador Perez has been playing more frequently behind the dish. Fermin has found himself getting squeezed out of the lineup of late as a result, as he'll now take a seat for the third time in five games. Fermin is still holding down an .847 OPS in August, so he shouldn't be completely phased out of the lineup while he remains one of the Royals' hotter hitters.

Heim is out of the lineup Wednesday against the Angels.

Heim, who also sat Monday, continues to be eased back into action following his return Sunday from a nearly three-week absence to heal a strained left wrist tendon. Mitch Garver will start at catcher for the Rangers on Wednesday as Robbie Grossman occupies the DH role.

Gomes is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the White Sox.

Gomes is likely just getting a rest day after he started behind the plate in three of the last four games. With Gomes and Miguel Amaya both out of the starting nine, No. 3 catcher Tucker Barnhart will enter the lineup for the first time since Aug. 1.