MLB Player News

Heim (shin) went 3-for-3 with an RBI double and a run in a Cactus League win over the White Sox on Tuesday.

Heim returned to action after sitting out Sunday's game with shin soreness. The promising backstop, battling Austin Allen for the backup catcher job behind Sean Murphy, is now hitting .467 (7-for-15) with a pair of two baggers, five RBI, one walk and four runs through seven spring games, flashing an impressive bat to complement his already strong defense behind the dish.

Murphy (knee) drew walks in each of his two plate appearances during a Cactus League win over the Cubs on Monday. He caught five innings before being lifted for a pinch runner after his second base on balls.

The projected starting backstop finally got into game action after being eased into spring following a meniscal debridement procedure on his troublesome left knee during the offseason. Murphy complements a solid bat with elite defensive skills, including a rocket arm that gunned down the Royals' Adalberto Mondesi on a steal attempt with a throw clocked at 87.4 mph last season. Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports Murphy won't return to action until Thursday and will have his usage monitored carefully for the balance of the exhibition slate, which will give the promising duo of Austin Allen and Jonah Heim opportunities to battle it out for the backup catcher role.

Maldonado recently took a foul ball off his left thumb and was scratched from Tuesday's lineup against the Cardinals as a precaution, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Maldonado was labeled by manager Dusty Baker as the Astros' No. 1 catcher heading in to spring training following the departure of Robinson Chirinos in free agency. The 33-year-old Maldonado has spent time on five different major-league rosters during the past two seasons and is valued as one of the league's premier defensive options behind the plate. Maldonado owns a career .219 batting average, but demonstrated flashes of power towards the end of last season in Houston, hitting six home runs to go along with a .464 slugging percentage across 27 regular-season contests.

Perez, who hit his second home run of spring in a Grapefruit League tie with the Orioles on Monday, is competing with Kevan Smith for the backup catcher job, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Perez dedicated himself to getting fitter this offseason and the work seems to be paying early dividends. The 27-year-old slugged 13 homers across 216 plate appearances in Triple-A Durham last season, although he's only left the yard once in 135 major-league plate appearances across the last pair of campaigns. Smith is a capable and proven veteran, so Perez will naturally have to continue impressing in spring to lock down an Opening Day roster spot.

Rogers (back) went 1-for-1 with a walk, a two-run home run and two runs scored in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Red Sox.

Rogers made his first Grapefruit League appearance of the year, as back stiffness had kept him on the sidelines up until Monday. The 24-year-old got off to a nice start as he looks to push for a regular role in the majors, though he's likely behind Austin Romine and Grayson Greiner on the catcher depth chart. Rogers could spend more time at Triple-A this season after posting a rough .125/.222/.259 line in a 35-game MLB debut a year ago.

Murphy (knee) is starting at catcher Monday against the Cubs, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Murphy has been brought along slowly this spring after undergoing a minor cleanup procedure for his left knee back in October, but he's finally ready to make his Cactus League debut. The 25-year-old is on track to open the 2020 season as Oakland's starting catcher after hitting .245/.333/.566 with four home runs in 20 games during his big-league debut in 2019.

Rogers (back) is listed as an available reserve on the lineup card for Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Red Sox, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Grayson Greiner will start behind the plate and will likely catch about half of the game before Rogers comes off the bench to replace him. The 24-year-old has yet to make his spring debut after experiencing back stiffness prior to the Tigers' Feb. 21 exhibition opener, but he should be ready to go for the start of the regular season if he avoids any further setbacks during camp.

Heim has a shin contusion from being hit by a pitch during Saturday's game against the Indians, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Heim was hit in the right leg during his second at-bat Saturday before being replaced in the field by Collin Theroux to begin the fifth inning. It's an encouraging sign that Heim stayed in the game to run the bases, but he was out of the lineup Sunday and it's unknown how long it will take before he can return to action.

Stassi (hip) is no longer listed in the starting lineup for Sunday's split-squad game versus the Rockies, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Stassi was initially set to bat second as the designated hitter but isn't included in the updated lineup, though he's still listed as an available bench player on the lineup card. There's been no reports of a setback as he continues to recover from offseason hip surgery, so the reason for the lineup change remains unclear.

Grandal (calf) is expected to catch three innings during the White Sox's "B game" Wednesday, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

The veteran catcher has been recovering from a calf injury he suffered two weeks prior to spring training, but he's appeared close to a return while taking live batting practice and catching bullpen sessions. Grandal is confident he'll catch in three consecutive games prior to Opening Day, and a return to game action Wednesday would put him on that track.