MLB Player News

Haase could potentially lose his spot on the 40-man roster as the Tigers add players before the start of the season, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Haase was thought to have the inside track on being the backup catcher during spring training, but Woodbery notes that Grayson Greiner will fill that role. That could put Haase's 40-man spot in jeopardy as the Tigers might need spots for the likes of Jordy Mercer, Jorge Bonifacio and a handful of pitchers. If Haase does get squeezed out of a regular roster spot, he could still end up on the team's three-player taxi squad for road trips as MLB rules stipulate that at least one taxi squad player is a catcher.

While Garver may get a higher percentage of starts behind the plate due to the shorter 60-game season, manager Rocco Baldelli told Aaron Gleeman of TheAthletic.com that he still plans to give him rest. "I would anticipate getting Mitch out there as much as we can, but Mitch is also going to get his days off. Alex [Avila] is going to get a fair amount of time as well. We're going to get into a rotation," Baldelli said.

Garver said his goal is to play 40-45 games during the 60-game season, but the coaching staff may limit him more to keep him fresh. The Twins made a concerted effort to keep their catchers well rested last season and didn't alter the plan even with Garver's breakout performance at the plate, so that trend could continue even in a shortened season.

Thaiss told reporters Thursday that his late arrival to summer camp was due to a positive test for the coronavirus in June, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Thaiss noted that he was asymptomatic during the length of his self-quarantine, but it took nearly 30 days for him to register negative tests at least 24 hours apart. That kept him from reporting to summer camp until July 12, and the reserve infielder has been attempting to make up for lost time since. While Thaiss indicated that he was very limited in terms of baseball activity while isolated in his apartment, he also expressed optimism about his ability to be ready to play by Opening Day. The 25-year-old is expected to serve primarily as a backup to Albert Pujols at first base this season.

Raleigh is likely to frequently be designated the third catcher on the team's three-man taxi squad this season and could see some regular-season playing time, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports. "He's still learning all the pitchers and their nuances, certainly some of the older guys, but this is a good opportunity for him," manager Scott Servais said. "He's a guy that's going to show up here at some point and play a big role for us behind the plate, there's no question about that."

The 23-year-old backstop has Tom Murphy and Austin Nola ahead of him on the depth chart, but Johns makes a case for Raleigh getting his first taste of regular-season big-league action at some point in 2020. If Murphy, who's expected to serve as the primary backstop, misses some time during the 60-game campaign, Nola, who only has four games of experience behind the dish, will likely need some help manning the position. Raleigh has yet to play above the Double-A level and struggled to a .228 average and .296 on-base percentage in 39 games there last season, but he's worked closely with Mariners Hall of Fame catcher Dan Wilson during summer camp and has caught the eye of his boss. "Cal's having a good camp," Servais said. "He swings the bat really well and certainly has power from both sides of the plate. The catching side has really impressed me with his arm strength in this camp and some of the drills."

Murphy (foot) went 1-for-2 with a walk while serving as the designated hitter for Thursday's intrasquad game, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

As expected, Murphy was able to make a quick return after fouling a ball off his foot Tuesday, although manager Scott Servais opted to keep him limited to an offensive role Thursday. Murphy is still likely to draw a slight majority of the starts behind the dish this coming season, but Servais previously stated Austin Nola will get a fair share of playing time and the duo could also be complemented with prospects Cal Raleigh and Brian O'Keefe.

Collins went 1-for-2 with a home run in Wednesday's intrasquad game.

Collins launched his second home run during summer camp and continues to show the impact bat seen in spring training, when the catching prospect hit a pair of homers and drove in six runs. "His pedigree tells us that's what he's going to do, and he's getting better at it," third-base coach Nick Capra told Scott Merkin of MLB.com of Collins' power. "Obviously, he has a ways to go, but he has some pop in his bat and a good idea what he's doing at the plate." Collins hit 19 home runs, slugged .548 and had a .403 on-base percentage at Triple-A Charlotte in 2019. He'll serve as the White Sox's third catcher in 2020.

Murphy (foot) is not expected to practice Wednesday but could return Thursday, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

Murphy fouled a ball off his foot during Tuesday's intrasquad game, the second time in eight days that he'd done so. The issue doesn't appear likely to threaten his readiness for Opening Day.

The White Sox added Zavala to their player pool Tuesday, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

The White Sox already have three catchers working out in summer camp, so Zavala represents a depth option. He will work with the pitchers at the team's satellite training site, Schaumburg Boomers Stadium.

Murphy fouled a ball off his foot during Tuesday's intrasquad game and exited for good at the end of the inning, Shannon Drayer of 710 ESPN Seattle reports.

The backstop had a similar incident occur July 6, and in that instance, he missed one day of summer camp workouts. Tuesday's foul ball caromed off the lower leg/foot area, and although Murphy was able to tough it out until the end of the frame, he was replaced in the following inning. An update on his condition is likely to come at some point Wednesday.

Perez is making a strong bid for the backup catcher job in summer camp, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports. "[He's] a guy that is starting to come into his own," said Rays manager Kevin Cash. "He seems pretty motivated and kind of hungry to make the most of the opportunity that is presented."

Perez had slugged a pair of home runs before spring training was suspended, and he's impressed thus far in summer camp with multiple strong at-bats during simulated games. That includes Tuesday, when he laced a double off the returning Tyler Glasnow. Perez is trying to ward off a couple of capable veterans in Kevan Smith and Chris Herrmann for an Opening Day roster spot, and Cash talked up the emerging backstop as a player that could take advantage of his opportunity in similar fashion to how Travis d'Arnaud did on last year's playoff team.