MLB Player News

Tigers manager Brad Ausmus has indicated catcher Alex Avila could see a lighter workload behind the plate in 2015, which means more work for rookie James McCann. Avila was behind the plate for 122 games in 2014.

"It's certainly open at this point," Ausmus said, per The Detroit News. "Clearly Alex has shown he has the ability to be an everyday catcher. He works well with the pitchers, they trust him. But I also think a guy like McCann has a very bright future. I like the way he catches."

Ausmus added Avila has no health limitations after enduring several concussions last season.

"A decision on who's No. 1 or No. 2 won't be made until spring training, or even if there is a No. 1 and a No. 2," Ausmus said. "Maybe there will be a split. I can't give you a full answer. All I can say is Alex is an established big-league catcher and I really like McCann. And (Bryan) Holaday did a really nice job as a backup last season. But a decision won't be made until March."

The Royals will seek to lighten the load of catcher Salvador Perez next season. He led the majors in 2014 with 146 games behind the plate.

"I can't catch Sal 150 games again," Ned Yost told CBSSports.com baseball writer Matt Snyder. "I'll kill the kid."

Including the postseason, Perez caught 161 games last year.

The Tigers plan to maintain Alex Avila as their starting catcher next season despite his issues with concussions and declining production since his peak season of 2011, but they will likely allow Avila to walk in free agency after the year in favor of promising James McCann, per the Detroit News.

Avila finished 2014 with a meager stat line of .218/.327/.359. His 61 walks in 390 at-bats and continued strength behind the plate were two pluses.

After appearing in 146 games behind the plate in 2014, the Royals might be inclined to give catcher Salvador Perez more starts at DH in 2015 in an attempt to preserve his knees, a source told the Philadelphia Daily News.

Perez made four appearances at DH in 2014, but the team is considering their DH options for 2015 since Billy Butler is a free agent. There is a report the Royals might consider trading for Ryan Howard to be the primary DH. Although, it doesn't seem Howard is high on the Royals' priority list, per the Daily News.

The Astros have acquired veteran backup catcher Hank Conger from the Angels for fellow catcher Carlos Perez and right-hander pitcher Nick Tropeano.

Conger compiled a .221/.293/.325 stat line in 2014 with four home runs and 25 RBI.

The Blue Jays have exercised the 2015 options on pitcher J.A. Happ and catcher Josh Thole, Sportsnet.ca reports.

Happ will earn $6.7 million in 2015 as the team opted to retain him rather than pay a $200,000 buyout. Thole is set to make $1.75 million next season.

Royals catcher Salvador Perez went 1 for 3 with a solo home run in his team's 7-1 loss to the Giants in Game 1 of the World Series Tuesday.

Perez struck the only blow the Royals could manage on offense, finally getting a run off Giants starter Madison Bumgarner after he allowed only two hits through six scoreless innings. By the time of Perez's bomb, the Royals were dug in a hole from which they couldn't escape. It's a rare sign of life from the catcher's bat, as he's hit just .135/.158/.216 in 37 postseason at-bats despite the Royals racking up win after win in the first three rounds.

In an end-of-the-year press conference, Red Sox manager John Farrell told reporters he's "very comfortable" with having Christian Vasquez as the team's everyday catcher next season, according to the Providence Journal.

The rookie catcher appeared in 55 games this season, splitting his duties with David Ross behind the plate. He slashed .240/.308/.309 with one home run and 20 RBI over 175 at-bats.

Indians catcher Yan Gomes hit his 21st home run Wednesday against the Royals.

Gomes struck in the first inning. With two men on, Gomes took an 80 mph changeup from Jason Vargas out to center for the three-run shot. He would also walk during the contest. Gomes finished 1 for 3, with one run scored and three RBI. 

Ned Yost is blaming anxiousness rather than fatigue for the slump of Royals catcher Salvador Perez. He told the Kansas City Star that Perez is trying too hard with a playoff spot on the line.

Perez has just five hits in his last 45 at-bats and has been hitless in seven of his last 11 games. His .290 on-base percentage is at its lowest point since April 23. He has a dozen strikeouts in the last 10 games.