MLB Player News

Rortvedt (shoulder) will start at catcher and bat fifth in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies.

After getting an injection to relieve pain in his sore right shoulder, Rortvedt had been limited to designated-hitter duties in his last two spring games, but he'll step in behind the plate Thursday for the first time since Feb. 23. Provided that the shoulder issue provides no complications with his throwing over the rest of the spring, Rortvedt will be part of a timeshare at catcher with Danny Jansen to open the season.

Perez was removed from Wednesday's Cactus League game against the Mariners due to a laceration under his left eye.

Not much is known regarding the severity of Perez's injury, but the Royals are going to continue monitoring his eye, and there's a good chance he'll be held out of action for a game or two. In the meantime, Freddy Fermin and Luke Maile should get more looks behind the dish.

Nido went 2-for-4 with two home runs and four total RBI in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies.

Nido, who had only four home runs across 49 games for the Mets and Cubs last year, unexpectedly supplied some power in this one. The veteran joined the Tigers on a minor-league deal in January. The team has Jake Rogers and Dillon Dingler ahead of him on the catching depth chart, but Nido provides some insurance in case Detroit's catching depth is tested.

Lee was removed from Wednesday's Cactus League game against the Brewers due to a bruised right hand.

X-rays on Lee's hand came back negative after the game, and he is officially considered day-to-day. The 26-year-old backstop suffered the injury during the third inning of Wednesday's contest while attempting to throw to third base to catch a stealing Sal Frelick. The White Sox may give Lee a day or two off to recover, which will open up more reps behind the plate for prospect Edgar Quero.

Sanchez is away from Orioles camp Monday while he recovers from an illness, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Sanchez will likely need just a couple days off to shake off the illness before returning to action. The 32-year-old is in line to open the season as the Orioles' No. 2 catcher behind Adley Rutschman.

Rortvedt (shoulder) went 0-for-2 with a strikeout in Saturday's 10-1 loss to the Mets in Grapefruit League play.

Rortvedt played for the first time since receiving an injection in his sore right shoulder early last week, though he was limited to a non-defensive role. Per Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times, Rortvedt will be available off the bench again Monday versus Atlanta, but if called upon to play, the 27-year-old will most likely replace starting designated hitter Eloy Jimenez. According to MLB.com, the Rays are targeting Thursday's game versus the Phillies for Rortvedt's return to catching duty, assuming his throwing is no longer compromised by the shoulder issue.

Driscoll has been sidelined after rolling his right ankle and will see a doctor Monday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Driscoll is on the 40-man roster, but as Topkin notes, Driscoll likely was headed to Triple-A to start the year regardless of health. He slashed .288/.362/.468 with seven home runs in 72 minor-league games a season ago.

Heim went 2-for-2 with a run scored, threw out a runner attempting to steal and picked off a runner at third base in Saturday's spring game against the Brewers.

Heim had a strong game after fellow catcher Kyle Higashioka belted two home runs and drove in six a day earlier. The two backstops are expected to have a relatively even share behind the plate, which could help the switch-hitting Heim maintain a strong bat all season and avoid a second-half fade.

Vazquez went 1-for-3 in Saturday's loss to the Red Sox and is hitting 2-for-8 in his first three spring games.

Vazquez was the subject of trade rumors in the offseason as the Twins were thought to want to offload the $10 million for the final year of his contract. However, he looks set to stay on the roster and repeat sharing catching duties fairly equally with Ryan Jeffers. Vazquez continues to slip at the plate as he had a career-worst .575 OPS and .248 OBP last season, but he is still seen as a strong defender (ninth in baseball with seven Defensive Runs Saved).

Jackson went 2-for-4 with a double, a home run, a walk and three RBI in Friday's Grapefruit League win over Toronto.

Jackson drove in half of New York's runs in the exhibition contest, drilling a solo homer to left field in the fifth inning and adding a two-run double in the sixth. The 29-year-old is trying to secure the Yankees' backup catcher job this spring, with J.C. Escarra and Ben Rice also candidates for the role.