MLB Player News

Wong is expected to be Boston's primary catcher to start the 2024 season, Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe reports.

Wong appears set to lead what might be considered an assemblage of backup catchers, ahead of Reese McGuire, Tyler Heineman and Roberto Perez. Wong and McGuire handled catching chores in 2023 with the former taking over as the primary backstop when the latter went down with an oblique injury last summer. Over 121 games (105 as a starting catcher), Wong slashed .235/.288/.385 and was strikeout prone (33.3 K%). Much of his real-world value lay in his work gunning down base stealers. Per Baseball Savant, the 27-year-old ranked in the 92nd percentile in caught-stealing above average. It's been a quiet offseason for the Red Sox, who appear to be biding time behind the dish until 2023 first-round draft pick Kyle Teel -- he reached Double-A Portland last year -- is ready for the show.

Pinto is currently the only catcher on the Rays' 40-man roster and is expected to get a lot of opportunities in the starting lineup, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

Pinto emerged as a viable backup across the second half of the 2023 season, but he should see a more significant role with both Christian Bethancourt and Francisco Mejia in new organizations. Across 105 plate appearances last year, Pinto posted a .204 ISO and 98 wRC+, though those marks also came with a 32.4 percent strikeout rate and only a 1.9 percent walk rate. His batting average could be a significant concern as a result.

Hickey needs to improve his framing and throwing or could end up changing positions, Christoper Smith of MassLive.com reports.

Hickey's above-average offense was on display in 2023 as it was the year prior. He swatted 19 home runs over 80 games in stops at High-A Greenville and Double-A Portland; however, his work behind the dish is sketchy -- the 24-year-old threw out just seven percent (10-for-139) of base stealers. Scouts say it has more to do with mechanics than arm strength, and that will be a focus in 2024. If the defense doesn't improve, Hickey could move to first base/DH, or potentially, left field.

Godoy signed a minor-league contract with the Rangers on Monday that includes an invitation to spring training.

Godoy, 29, spent 2023 at the Triple-A level between the Orioles and Yankees organizations. He saw spot action in the majors from 2021-22 and will give the Rangers some catching depth at Triple-A Round Rock.

Trevino (wrist) said Monday that he will not have any limitations in spring training, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Trevino -- who is more than six months removed from right wrist surgery -- implied that he's able to perform all baseball-related activities without issue. The veteran catcher will enter spring training seemingly behind youngster Austin Wells on the Yankees' catching depth chart, but assuming he's fully healthy, Trevino should still see plenty of work behind the plate in 2024.

The Red Sox acquired Heineman from the Mets on Friday in exchange for cash considerations, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports.

Heineman had been claimed off waivers by the Mets earlier this offseason but was designated for assignment earlier this week. The 32-year-old catcher has an option year remaining and seems likely to begin 2024 at Triple-A Worcester.

Nunez signed a minor-league contract with the Guardians on Tuesday that includes an invitation to spring training.

Nunez will face an uphill battle to make the Opening Day roster but will give the Guardians another catcher in camp. The 29-year-old has a career .653 OPS over parts of three big-league campaigns.

Serven was outrighted to Triple-A Buffalo on Monday.

The Blue Jays quietly designated Serven for assignment and will send him to Triple-A now that he's passed through waivers. He was claimed by Toronto in mid-January and figures to serve as organizational depth at catcher.

Leon signed a minor-league contract with the Royals on Wednesday that includes an invitation to spring training.

Leon has Salvador Perez and Freddy Fermin ahead of him on the depth chart, so he'll begin the 2024 season at Triple-A Omaha unless the Royals opt to carry three catchers. Slated to turn 35 in March, Leon got into 21 games with the Rangers in 2023, going just 6-for-41 at the plate.

The Blue Jays claimed Serven off waivers from the Cubs on Tuesday, Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic reports.

Serven has gone from the Rockies to the Cubs and now to the Blue Jays via waivers this month. The 28-year-old has slashed just .195/.248/.314 over 228 plate appearances at the major-league level, even as his home games have been played at Coors Field. Serven does have options remaining and, if he's still with the Blue Jays come Opening Day, he seems likely to be assigned to their Triple-A affiliate in Buffalo.