MLB Player News

Stassi is working with Astros manager A.J. Hinch to improve his framing, receiving and stance behind the plate this spring, Evan Drellich of the Houston Chronicle reports.

"If he makes our team, I want our pitching staff to be comfortable throwing to him," Hinch said of the 24-year-old. "We're going to put in a little bit of work to make sure that his mechanics behind the plate are where they should be, that his body positioning and his hand position are where they should be. He's hungry to get better." Stassi is the favorite to win the Astros' backup catcher job behind starter Jason Castro, but Alfredo Gonzalez, Roberto Pena and Tyler Heineman loom as other internal options for the role, albeit with considerably less experience.

Vazquez (elbow) has been throwing to bases at Boston's spring-training facility in Fort Myers (Fla.), the Boston Globe reports. "He's probably at about 90 percent," manager John Farrell said. "But it's there. You can see that. He'll only get better."

Prior to undergoing Tommy John surgery, Vazquez was known for his arm strength and his ability to control the running game. As such, the Red Sox are closely monitoring his velocity and accuracy. On Friday, Vazquez showed off the accuracy in what was another productive day in his return from the injury. Despite what has been an encouraging rehab, Vazquez is expected to start the season at Triple-A Pawtucket where he can get some game experience before joining the major-league roster.

Rodriguez signed a minor league contract with the Yankees on Friday that includes an invitation to spring training Friday, Jared Diamond of the Wall Street Journal reports.

The 30-year-old backstop split time between Double-A Trenton and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre last season, but couldn't hit above the Mendoza line at either stop. Because of that, he'll likely head back to the minors after spring training concludes.

Vazquez (elbow) is throwing up to 150 feet and will throw to bases this coming week, WEEI.com reports.

Vazquez was on hand for the Red Sox Winter Weekend event at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Connecticut, looking noticeably trimmer after having lost 25 pounds during the offseason. He said there's been no setbacks with the elbow and anticipates being 100 percent for spring training. Vazquez is hoping to be ready for Opening Day, but there's a good chance the Red Sox have Vazquez start the season at Triple-A Pawtucket while Blake Swihart and Ryan Hanigan handle the catching chores at the major-league level.

Sanchez (ankle) signed with the White Sox on Monday, Chris Cotillo of MLB Daily Dish reports.

With the offseason acquisitions of fellow catchers Dioner Navarro and Alex Avila, it's unclear where Sanchez will fit into the mix. He split time between the majors and minors last season, and could be reduced to a similar role with his new club.

Thole re-signed with the Blue Jays on a one-year, $800,000 deal Friday, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet reports.

Thole had just been non-tendered by the Blue Jays on Thursday, but he's coming back to the team after being a free agent for just a day. The 29-year-old had a disappointing campaign last season, hitting just .204/.250/.245, but he should get the chance to earn the backup role behind Russell Martin out of spring training.

Sanchez is well positioned to be the Yankees' backup catcher in 2016 after John Ryan Murphy was traded to the Twins in exchange for Aaron Hicks on Wednesday.

Sanchez has 20-plus homer upside and the arm to stick behind the plate, so if something were to happen to Brian McCann, he could be useful in most formats. The Yankees may opt to keep Sanchez at Triple-A so that he can get regular at-bats, but he should be seen as the No. 2 catcher on the organizational depth chart at this point.

Royals catcher Salvador Perez (thumb) is in the lineup Sunday for the regular season finale.

Perez indicated he was fine after dealing with thumb swelling Thursday, but he returned to the lineup Saturday and is again playing Sunday. He'll bat sixth as the Royals attempt to clinch home field advantage throughout the playoffs.

Rays catcher Curt Casali (hamstring) will be out for the remainder of the season, the Tampa Tribune reports.

Casali has been out since Aug. 25 with a strained left hamstring, and it appears he just ran out of time to return this season. His 2015 campaign will end with a surprisingly productive year in the power department, hitting 10 homers in just 38 games and boasting a .594 slugging percentage.

Indians catcher Roberto Perez went 2 for 4 with a two-run homer Thursday against the Twins.

Unfortunately for the Indians, that one swing generated their only runs on the day. Perez hasn't offered much in fantasy, but he's now homered in two of his last three starts and has seven hits in 20 at-bats (a .350 average) over his last six starts, so he's closing things out on a high note.