MLB Player News

Liranzo will participate in spring training with the Tigers as a non-roster invitee, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Liranzo, who came over to Detroit last summer in the trade that sent Jack Flaherty to the Dodgers, is considered Detroit's top catching prospect. He's only 21 and has yet to appear at the Double-A level, so his MLB debut is probably not coming soon, but he could make a good impression this spring. For the time being, the Tigers figure to roll with Jake Rogers and Dillon Dingler behind the plate. Liranzo should be on the radar in dynasty formats.

Hernandez signed a minor-league contract with the Yankees on Sunday that includes an invite to big-league spring training.

The 27-year-old spent last season at Triple-A Reno in the Diamondbacks' system, where he played in 63 games and had a .311/.357/.507 slash line with 11 home runs. Hernandez has yet to make his MLB debut and is likely to open the 2025 campaign at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre as organizational depth.

The Blue Jays signed Whatley to a minor-league contract Friday that includes an invitation to spring training, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Whatley, 29, posted a .614 OPS with five home runs over 50 games at Triple-A Round Rock in the Rangers organization last season. He's merely an extra catcher in camp and will be assigned to a minor-league affiliate rather than break camp with the big club.

Wong appeared to be noticeably stronger at January's Fan Fest, Jenn McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Wong jokingly said he spent the winter "eating a lot," in an effort to be more durable behind the plate. The strong frame might also help him sustain through the regular season with a bat in his hand. Wong owned an .856 OPS through the end of June then dropped to .671 the rest of the way. Wong is expected to serve as Boston's No. 1 catcher and won't have to look over his shoulder at Kyle Teel, the prospect who was traded to the White Sox in the Garrett Crochet swap.

McCann cleared waivers Wednesday and was sent outright to Triple-A Las Vegas, Jason Burke of SI.com reports.

After spending all of last season in the big leagues as Shea Langeliers' backup, McCann will now be relegated to minor-league depth in favor of Jhonny Pereda. McCann's last Triple-A season saw him slash .270/.351/.474 with 17 homers and 57 RBI, and he could earn his way back into the majors with similar production in 2025.

Dingler and Jake Rogers appear set to split catching duties for the Tigers to begin the regular season, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Dingler made his MLB debut toward the end of 2024 and appeared in 27 games. He slashed just .167/.195/.310, but the 26-year-old impressed with his poise behind the plate defensively, and he now figures to take on a bigger role right out of the gates this season. The veteran Rogers still projects as the top option on the depth chart, but Dingler should see plenty of action and could receive more playing time as the season goes on, particularly if Rogers struggles or gets dinged up.

The Athletics designated McCann for assignment Thursday.

The A's elected to kick McCann off their 40-man roster after acquiring fellow catcher Jhonny Pereda from the Marlins on Thursday. McCann appeared in 54 games last season, slashing .236/.318/.371 with 15 RBI across 157 plate appearances, and he could be picked up by another club in need of depth behind the plate.

The Marlins traded Pereda to the Athletics on Thursday in exchange for cash.

Pereda was DFA'd by Miami on Tuesday, but his move to the A's will ensure that he remains on a 40-man roster for the 2025 campaign. The 28-year-old backstop managed just a .481 OPS in 40 big-league plate appearances last season, though he slashed .302/.407/.444 with 16 RBI in Triple-A. Kyle McCann was designated for assignment in a corresponding move, improving Pereda's chances at making the Athletics' Opening Day roster as Shea Langeliers' backup.

The Blue Jays signed Bethancourt to a minor-league contract Wednesday that includes an invitation to spring training, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Bethancourt joins the competition to serve as Toronto's backup catcher behind starter Alejandro Kirk. The 33-year-old had an .814 OPS in 24 games for the Cubs in 2024 after the Marlins cut him loose, but between the two stops he managed just a .608 OPS.

The Mariners outrighted Raposo to Triple-A Tacoma.

He's no longer on the 40-man roster but will remain in the organization as catching depth. Raposo, 26, has a career .241/.321/.387 slash line in the minors and has yet to see any action at the big-league level.