MLB Player News

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.

The Rays optioned Pinto to Triple-A Durham on Wednesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Christian Bethancourt and Francisco Mejia have both made it through spring camp unscathed, so Pinto will be stationed at Durham as the likely No. 3 catcher on Tampa Bay's organizational depth chart. The 26-year-old batted just slashed .213/.241/.325 over his first 83 major-league plate appearances in 2022.

Kansas City optioned Fermin to Triple-A Omaha on Wednesday.

With Kansas City expected to go with Salvador Perez and MJ Melendez as its lone options at catcher to begin the season, Fermin will miss out on a spot on the Opening Day roster. Fermin performed well in the Cactus League with a .906 OPS in 25 plate appearances before the demotion, and if either Melendez or Perez is to miss time at any point, Fermin will likely be the first catcher called on as a replacement.

Kirk (illness) is starting behind the plate and batting fifth in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Orioles.

The 24-year-old was scratched from Sunday's lineup due to a non-COVID-related illness, but he'll return to action Wednesday after a couple days of rest. Kirk remains on track to work behind the plate for Toronto on Opening Day next week.

Trevino (wrist) is in the Yankees' Grapefruit League linup against the Tigers on Tuesday, Greg Joyce of the New York Post reports.

Trevino was scratched from the lineup after initially being listed but is now back in there. It's the first game since March 9 for the catcher, as he's been battling a sprained wrist.

Jansen went 0-for-3 in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Tigers, dropping his spring batting average to .156 (5-for-32).

The 27-year-old catcher is locked into a spot on the big-league roster and will split time behind the plate with Alejandro Kirk (illness) this season, so his spring numbers don't mean a whole lot. Jansen set new career highs with 15 homers and an .855 OPS in 2022, giving him plenty of appeal as both a later-round catching option and a DFS play on days he gets the start.

Wong (hamstring) has a chance to be part of the Red Sox's Opening Day roster, manager Alex Cora told Ian Browne of MLB.com.

Wong has been out nearly all month with a left hamstring strain, but his last step before returning to games is running the bases and he'll do that Tuesday. With Jorge Alfaro appearing likely to make the club along with Reese McGuire, it's possible the Red Sox will carry three catchers.

Stubbs was reassigned to minor-league camp by the Astros on Tuesday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Stubbs did some damage in the few chances he was given this spring, going 7-for-13 with a home run. He'll likely start the season at Double-A Corpus Christi.