MLB Player News

The Tigers optioned Sands to Triple-A Toledo on Friday, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Sands slashed just .214/.241/.250 over 29 plate appearances this spring, so he will return to Triple-A and attempt to right himself in the minors. If he can replicate his .841 OPS in Triple-A from last season, he has a decent shot at returning to the big leagues at some point in 2023.

Bethancourt has only two hits in 14 at-bats during Grapefruit League play.

Bethancourt has a roster spot locked up, but his portion of playing time is undetermined. Francisco Mejia is the other half of the duo behind the plate for the Rays, and he has also struggled this spring. The result could be an even split of playing time between Mejia and Bethancourt to begin the regular season.

Mejia has only three hits across 18 at-bats in Grapefruit League action.

Mejia also played for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic, though he managed only one hit in seven at-bats at the tournament. His slow spring performance won't jeopardize his spot on the Rays' roster, and Christian Bethancourt -- Mejia's primary competition for playing time -- has also struggled this spring. The duo could equally split time behind the dish to begin the regular season as a result.

Murphy (forearm) is back in the Mariners' lineup for Thursday's Cactus League tilt versus the Reds, Shannon Drayer of Seattle Sports 710 AM reports.

Murphy has had some left forearm tightness this week but is ready to go now. He's in line to serve as Cal Raleigh's backup this season.

Godoy signed a minor-league contract Wednesday with the Yankees.

Godoy was released from Angels camp last week and has already found a new home. The 28-year-old journeyman catcher is a career .123/.194/.140 hitter in 62 total plate appearances at the major-league level. He'll open the 2023 season at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Jeffers went 0-for-4 in Wednesday's spring training win over Boston and is hitting .214 (6-for-28) with two home runs and a .790 OPS this spring.

Jeffers' numbers this spring are similar for what to expect during the regular season. He offers some power and the ability to draw walks (9.7% BB%), but he has a low batting average. Jeffers will split playing time with Christian Vazquez and will likely get the minority of playing time.

Garver is expected to catch back-to-back games this week for first time this spring, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.

Garver is slowly ramping up his time behind the plate. He played seven innings in a game last week, then a full nine two days later. He also thwarted a stolen-base attempt apiece in each game, which is more outs than he had in the limited time he caught in 2022. "I was pretty excited," Garver said. "I got into a good position. I made a good throw. It felt good. It has felt good all spring." Despite the promising results, Garver is expected to get fewer starts at catcher than Jonah Heim, per Kennedi Landry of MLB.com. That's partially due to Garver coming off forearm surgery, but Heim possesses a quicker release, stronger arm and quicker pop time, skills that will be handy for an expected increase in attempted steals in 2023. When not behind the plate, Garver is expected to rotate in at designated hitter.

Heim is expected to catch more games than Mitch Garver, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

It's essentially the same scenario as 2022, when Garver was limited to designated hitter duty due to a forearm injury that eventually required surgery. Heim filled in and caught the majority of games, although he did wear down after the All-Star break. "I think it's fair to say Jonah will do a bit more catching, especially with where Mitch is at now," manager Bruce Bochy said. "Mitch is doing great. We certainly want to keep him healthy. I wouldn't put it 50/50, to be honest." Garver will get starts behind the plate and is ramping up his activity there -- he caught a full nine-inning game last week, and the next step is to catch on back-to-back days this week, per Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News. Heim has a quicker release and stronger arm than Garver, as well as pop time -- from release to the ball hitting the fielder's glove. All those skills gives Heim an edge in a season where more attempted steals are expected due to the shorter distance between larger bases.

Murphy (forearm) is expected to return to the Mariners' Cactus League lineup Thursday, Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times reports.

Murphy was scratched from the lineup Monday and is not in there Wednesday, but his left forearm tightness has proven to be a minor issue. He should be in the clear to open the 2023 regular season as an active backup to primary Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Wong (hamstring) will be a "full go" for Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Pirates, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Wong has missed most of March with a left hamstring strain but appears to have put the injury behind him. He is competing with Jorge Alfaro for the backup catcher job behind Reese McGuire.