MLB Player News
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Victor Caratini C | MIN
Cubs' Victor Caratini: Pops first spring home run
Caratini went 1-for-2 with a walk and a solo home run in Wednesday's Cactus League game against the Royals.
It was the first home run of the spring for Caratini, who hit just two last season in 181 at-bats to go along with a .232/.293/.304 line. Despite mediocre numbers a season ago, the 25-year-old still projects as an above-average offensive catcher, though playing time could remain sparse behind regular starter Willson Contreras.
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Tomas Nido C | DET
Mets' Tomas Nido: Offseason Lasik surgery
Nido underwent Lasik surgery in the offseason, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
The 24-year-old had noticed his vision growing blurrier over the last couple of seasons, particularly when turning his head to hit, prompting the procedure. "Going from seeing everything blurry to now seeing everything detailed, that's what I'm getting used to now," Nido said. "It's a night and day change." The acquisition of Wilson Ramos cuts off any chance Nido had of breaking camp with the Mets, and he's expected to begin the season at Triple-A Syracuse. Even so, neither Ramos nor Travis d'Arnaud is exactly an ironman, so Nido could see his share of action in the majors in 2019.
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Elias Diaz C | KC
Pirates' Elias Diaz: Update coming soon
Diaz (virus) will be examined by team doctors within the next day, John Perrotto of DK Pittsburgh Sports reports.
Director of medicine Todd Tomczyk updated Diaz's status, saying that the catcher is feeling good and in good spirits. With Opening Day less than three weeks away, it wouldn't be surprising to see Diaz land on the injured list for the start of the season. He has yet to play this spring. Jacob Stallings or Steve Baron would likely serve as the team's backup catcher behind starter Francisco Cervelli if Diaz is forced to miss time.
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Francisco Mejia C | TB
Padres' Francisco Mejia: Hits first spring homer
Mejia was 3-for-3 with a double, a solo home run and two RBI in Tuesday's spring game against the Mariners.
Mejia cracked his first homer of the spring to lead off the fourth inning against Mike Leake. The 23-year-old is 8-for-16 with three doubles and one home run in spring training.
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Willson Contreras 1B | BOS
Cubs' Willson Contreras: Collects two more hits Tuesday
Contreras went 2-for-3 with a double, a run and an RBI in Tuesday's Cactus League loss to the Angels.
Contreras is off to a great start this spring, slashing .385/.467/.923 through 13 at-bats with two home runs, six runs scored and six RBI. The young catcher didn't quite live up to preseason expectations in 2018, but the talent is certainly there for him to rebound and be an elite option at the position in 2019.
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Travis d'Arnaud C | LAA
Mets' Travis d'Arnaud: Cleared for defensive work
D'Arnaud is scheduled to play catcher in a "B" game Thursday, Deesha Thosar of the New York Daily News reports.
D'Arnaud is being eased into action this spring as he works his way back from Tommy John surgery. After being limited to DH duties through his first two Grapefruit League appearances, d'Arnaud has been cleared to set up behind the dish for the first time this spring. Barring any setbacks, the 30-year-old should open the season as the backup to Wilson Ramos.
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Travis d'Arnaud C | LAA
Mets' Travis d'Arnaud: Collects hit in return to lineup
D'Arnaud went 1-for-3 with an RBI in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals.
Seeing his first action in nearly a year due to Tommy John surgery, d'Arnaud slotted in at DH and quickly showed the offensive side of his game was A-OK. The next step will be to show he can handle his defensive duties, but if he has no setbacks this spring, the 30-year-old figures to begin the season as the Mets' No. 2 catcher behind Wilson Ramos.
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Travis d'Arnaud C | LAA
Mets' Travis d'Arnaud: Making spring debut
D'Arnaud (elbow) will make his spring debut Sunday as expected, Deesha Thosar of the New York Daily News reports.
The Mets have held d'Arnaud out up to this point of the spring in order to let him complete his recovery from the Tommy John procedure he underwent last April, but he is finally ready to get back on the field. D'Arnaud will be eased into action, and will serve as the Mets' designated hitter Sunday while occupying the third spot in the lineup.
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Travis d'Arnaud C | LAA
Mets' Travis d'Arnaud: Returning to lineup Sunday
D'Arnaud (elbow) will return to the lineup as a designated hitter Sunday against the Cardinals, Matt Ehalt of The Bergen Record reports.
The Mets have handled d'Arnaud carefully as he works his way back from Tommy John surgery, but returning Sunday should give him enough time to compete for an Opening Day spot. He'll be battling Devin Mesoraco for the backup catcher job behind Wilson Ramos.
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Chad Wallach C | ATH
Marlins' Chad Wallach: Dealing with quad injury
Wallach exited Thursday's Grapefruit League game due to a quadriceps injury, Andre Fernandez of The Athletic reports.
Manager Don Mattingly said Wallach "felt something in his quad" during Thursday's loss to the Astros, which helps explain his removal after three innings. Mattingly said the issue was minor, though he failed to offer up a timetable for Wallach's return, leaving the backup catcher day-to-day. Wallach is 1-for-5 through three games this spring.