MLB Player News

Wong had to exit Thursday's Grapefruit League game versus the Phillies with a left hamstring injury, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said after the game of Wong's injury that "it doesn't look great right now but hopefully we get better news tomorrow morning." It sounds like this could lead to an injured list stint to begin the season for Wong, which would officially open the door for non-roster invitee Jorge Alfaro to make the team as Reese McGuire's backup.

Kirk (personal) arrived to Blue Jays camp Thursday and is expected to be ready for game action during the second half of next week, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Kirk was away from the team while awaiting the birth of his child but has now joined the team. He had been working out on his own while at home in California, though, so the Blue Jays expect him to get back up to speed quickly and be ready in plenty of time ahead of Opening Day.

Huff said Thursday that the right shoulder injury which forced him to exit Wednesday's Cactus League game against the Padres felt more like a cramp, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Huff's removal from the contest was initially attributed to right shoulder tightness, but if the injury is more in the vein of a cramp, he'll likely be ready to play in a few days. The 25-year-old is projected to begin the season in the minors unless the Rangers wind up carrying three catchers on the Opening Day roster.

Huff left Wednesday's Cactus League game against the Padres with right shoulder tightness, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Huff played just one inning before giving way to Cody Freeman in the split-squad contest. The backstop will be re-evaluated on Thursday. Huff has flashed tremendous power in the minors and some brief samples in the majors, but has battled injuries over the past two-plus seasons. Further clarity on his status going forward should be available in the coming days.

Vazquez (illness) will serve as the Twins' designated hitter and No. 5 batter in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

While recovering from an illness, Vazquez wasn't available for the Twins' first three days of Grapefruit League play, but he made his spring debut in Tuesday's 10-7 win over Atlanta, going 0-for-3 while catching four innings. Vazquez apparently checked out fine after the contest, so he'll be back in lineup a day later in a purely offensive role.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Kirk (personal) is expected to report to spring training Thursday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Kirk has been away from the team while awaiting the birth of his child. The backstop will have some catching up to do after missing the first few weeks of spring training, but Matheson relayed he's been doing individual work in California while away from the team. Kirk is expected to serve as the Blue Jays' Opening Day backstop, and he should be in store for frequent starts at designated hitter on days when Danny Jansen catches.

Garver started at catcher and went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Monday's spring game against the Reds.

Garver caught his first game since May 8 after a forearm injury limited him to designated hitter duty in 2022 before he underwent season-ending surgery in July. He sat behind the plate for three innings for starter Martin Perez. Healthy now, Garver will go back to catching, at least part time, and will also serve as DH while Jonah Heim catches.

Vazquez was scratched before Saturday's spring game against Tampa Bay due to flu-like symptoms, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Vazquez was set to be in the starting lineup, but he was replaced by Ryan Jeffers shortly before game time. While his illness shouldn't be a worry for his Opening Day status, it's reassuring to hear it wasn't something more serious. Vazquez should slot in as Minnesota's starting catcher after signing as a free agent following an impressive 2022 season across stops in Boston and Houston. The 32-year-old backstop slashed .274/.315/.399 with nine home runs, 52 RBI, one stolen base and 41 runs scored over 119 contests.

Kirk (personal) withdrew from the Mexican World Baseball Classic team Saturday, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Kirk isn't dealing with an injury, but he's yet to arrive at camp as he awaits the birth of his child. Both he and the Blue Jays felt that his eventual arrival wouldn't give him time to adequately prepare to catch Toronto's new pitchers and acclimate to the new MLB rules while also spending time with Team Mexico. The news is a blow to Mexico's chances of advancing beyond the first round of the World Baseball Classic for the first time since 2009.

Diaz will have the chance to win the backup catcher job this spring, Paige Leckie of MLB.com reports.

Martin Maldonado is penciled in as the starting backstop in Houston, but the depth chart is unresolved from there. Diaz seems big-league ready with the bat -- he maintained a 121 wRC+ across 219 plate appearances with Triple-A Sugar Land in 2022 -- but his defense is more questionable. Upon reporting to camp, Diaz noted that he focused on improving all facets of his defense this offseason in an effort to stick in the majors. He is competing with fellow prospect Korey Lee for the role, though Diaz's bat-first profile may help him given that Maldonado is a strong defensive catcher but offers little at the plate.