MLB Player News

Plawecki signed a one-year, $2.25 million contract with the Red Sox on Wednesday, avoiding arbitration, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Plawecki served mainly as a secondary option at catcher behind Christian Vazquez in 2021, and he'll likely take on a similar role to begin the 2022 campaign. Across 64 appearances last year, the 30-year-old hit .287 with three homers, 15 runs and 15 RBI.

Deglan signed a minor-league contract with the Blue Jays on Monday.

The deal includes an invitation to big-league spring training, but Deglan will more than likely be bound for Triple-A Buffalo before the regular season gets underway. The 29-year-old backstop split time at the Triple-A level between Buffalo and the Yankees' affiliate in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in 2021, slashing .211/.320/.358 over 109 plate appearances.

The Guardians signed Leon on Monday to a minor-league contract that includes an invitation to spring training.

Austin Hedges is the only MLB-ready catcher left on Cleveland's 40-man roster after the team declined Roberto Perez's $7 million option for 2022 earlier this month, so Leon helps restore some depth at the position. Though he won't be added to the roster immediately, Leon should get the opportunity to compete for the No. 2 spot on the Guardians' depth chart at catcher heading into Opening Day. Leon logged 220 plate appearances for the Marlins in 2021, slashing .183/.237/.267 with four home runs, 15 runs and 14 RBI.

Wallach was outrighted to Triple-A Salt Lake on Friday.

Wallach spent time with the Marlins, Dodgers and Angels in 2021 but will now lose his spot on the 40-man roster. He hit .200 with six RBI and two runs across 23 major-league appearances with Miami last year.

The Red Sox picked up Vazquez's club option for 2022 on Sunday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Vazquez is in line to serve as Boston's primary catcher once again in 2022 after his $7 million option was picked up. He appeared in 138 games during the 2021 campaign and slashed .258/.308/.352 with six homers, 51 runs, 49 RBI and eight stolen bases.

Pinto was added to the Rays' 40-man roster on Sunday, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

The 25-year-old catcher has never played in the majors and hit .299/.327/.532 with 12 home runs in 52 games at Triple-A last season. His 27.5 percent strikeout rate and 3.3 percent walk rate portend a much lower batting average against MLB pitching, but he's essentially ready to provide big-league depth behind Mike Zunino and Francisco Mejia.

The Tigers exercised Barnhart's $7.75 million club option for 2022 on Sunday.

As expected, the Tigers will keep Barnhart for 2022 after acquiring him from Cincinnati on Wednesday. Though he lacks the offensive potential of Eric Haase, Barnhart is touted for his defense and figures to be Detroit's primary catching option next season. The 30-year-old is a competent hitter himself, having slashed .247/.317/.368 with seven home runs and 48 RBI in 2021.

Barnhart was traded from the Reds to the Tigers in exchange for infielder Nick Quintana on Wednesday, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

The 30-year-old appeared in 116 games for Cincinnati in 2021 and slashed .247/.317/.368 with seven home runs, 48 RBI and 41 runs during that time. After spending the first eight seasons of his career with the Reds, he's likely in line to serve as Detroit's primary catcher in 2022, even though Eric Haase hit 22 home runs in 2021. Barnhart has a $7.75 million team option for 2022, and the Tigers intend to exercise it, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network.

Stubbs was added to the Astros' World Series roster Saturday, Jake Kaplan of The Athletic reports.

Stubbs will replace Jason Castro, who had to be removed from the roster due to COVID-19 protocols. He's likely to be limited to a bench role behind Martin Maldonado.

Vazquez will sit for Game 6 of the ALCS against the Astros on Friday, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Vazquez has hit .290/.313/.419 with one homer through 10 playoff games. Kevin Plawecki will take over behind the plate Friday, catching Nathan Eovaldi.