MLB Player News

General manager Brian Cashman relayed last week that Sanchez has finished the "heavy lifting" of his rehab from left shoulder surgery and will serve as the Yankees' primary catcher in 2019, Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News reports.

Sanchez was a major disappointment both offensively and defensively in 2018, slashing just .186/.291/.406 across 374 plate appearances while yielding 18 passed balls, five more than any other backstop. The 26-year-old's lack of defensive polish may force a move to first base or designated hitter down the line, but the Yankees remain hopeful that with improved health, Sanchez can acquit himself well enough to be a passable option behind the dish. For fantasy purposes, Sanchez still projects as an elite fantasy asset at the position if he can avoid the extended absences and terrible luck on balls in play that marred his 2018 campaign.

McCann agreed to a one-year, $2.5 million contract with the White Sox on Friday, Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports reports.

McCann will provide some additional catching depth on Chicago's roster behind Welington Castillo after the team traded away Omar Narvaez two weeks ago. During 118 games with the Tigers this past season, McCann hit just .220/.267/.314 with eight home runs and 39 RBI after having a solid season at the dish in 2017. The 28-year-old should only be considered as a fringe option in two-catcher leagues heading into spring training.

The White Sox traded Narvaez to the Mariners on Friday in exchange for Alex Colome.

Narvaez was one of the best hitting catchers in baseball last summer, slashing .315/.401/.502 with nine homers over the final four months. His 122 wRC+ ranked fifth among catchers with at least 200 plate appearances. This trade is great news for his fantasy value, as Narvaez appears primed to serve as a true primary starter with Seattle instead of splitting time with Welington Castillo.

Stubbs was added to Houston's 40-man roster Tuesday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Stubbs will be shielded from the Rule 5 draft following the Astros' latest move. He's advanced to Triple-A Fresno in each of the last two seasons and appears to be closing in on his big-league debut after slashing .310/.382/.455 with four homers and 38 RBI over 84 games with the Grizzlies in 2018.

Zavala's contract was selected from Triple-A Charlotte on Tuesday.

Zavala was added to the White Sox's 40-man roster for protection ahead of the Rule 5 draft. He split time between Charlotte and Double-A Birmingham in 2018, hitting a combined .258/.317/.418 with 13 homers across 104 games. The 25-year-old backstop will likely head back to Triple-A to begin the 2019 season after struggling during his first stint with the Knights (.243/.267/.359 across 48 games).

Nola agreed to a minor-league contract with the Mariners on Friday, Mariners Minors reports.

Nola appeared in 69 games for Triple-A New Orleans last year, piecing together a .279/.370/.376 slash line with two homers and 32 RBI. He figures to begin the 2019 campaign with Triple-A Tacoma.

Sanchez underwent successful left shoulder surgery Thursday.

The surgery was performed by team physician Dr. Christopher Ahmad and went as expected. Seeing as the procedure typically carries a three-month recovery timeline, Sanchez should be fully healed by the time spring training rolls around. The backstop will look to bounce back in 2019 after he struggled to a .186/.291/.406 line across 89 games during an injury-plagued 2018 campaign.

Sanchez will undergo left shoulder surgery this offseason and is expected to be ready by Opening Day, Lindsey Adler of The Athletic reports.

The issue has apparently been bothering Sanchez since 2017, and it was recently decided that the backstop would benefit from a debridement. The procedure typically carries a three-month timeline, giving Sanchez plenty of time to get back to full speed before the start of the 2019 campaign. A healthy Sanchez will look to bounce back after struggling through an injury-riddled 2018 season that saw him hit just .186/.291/.406 with 18 homers across 89 games.

Perez was outrighted from the Rangers' 40-man roster Friday and is expected to elect free agency instead of accepting a minor-league assignment.

Perez spent a majority of the 2018 campaign with Texas after being designated for assignment by Atlanta in late April. In total, he played in 28 games, slashing just .143/.178/.214 with three RBI in 75 plate appearances. The 28-year-old will likely be on the look for a new home this winter.

Moore was removed from the Rays' 40-man roster Thursday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Moore and fellow catcher Jesus Sucre were cast off the team's 40-man roster in order to clear space for younger prospects in need of protection from the upcoming Rule 5 draft. The veteran backstop appeared in just eight games for Tampa Bay in 2018, hitting .222/.263/.444 with one homer.