MLB Player News

Thole signed a minor-league contract with the Dodgers on Tuesday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

Thole hasn't appeared in the majors since 2016, when he hit .169/.254/.220 across 136 plate appearances for the Blue Jays. He spent time in the independent Atlantic League in 2018, slashing .317/.425/.367 across 17 games. Look for him to serve as organizational catching depth in 2019.

Grandal passed his physical Monday and officially signed with the Brewers on a one-year, $16 million contract that includes a $16 million mutual option for 2020, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

When Grandal and the Brewers first agreed in principle Jan. 9, initial reports suggested the catcher would sign a one-year, $18.25 million contract. Instead, it was clarified Monday that Grandal's deal will guarantee him at least $18.25 million, as the 2020 option contains a $2.25 million buyout if not exercised. The structure of the contract keeps the door open for Grandal to remain in Milwaukee for two years and earn $32 million in salary plus award-based incentives, but the 30-year-old will presumably be eager to test the market again next winter in pursuit of a longer-term deal. Grandal reportedly turned down a four-year, $60 million offer from the Mets earlier in the offseason before New York turned its attention to other catching options.

Hedges signed a one-year, $2.06 million contract with San Diego on Friday, avoiding arbitration., Robert Murray of The Athletic reports.

Hedges posted a .231/.282/.429 slash line with 14 home runs in 326 plate appearances in 2018 as he split time with veteran A.J. Ellis and then rookie Francisco Mejia behind the plate. The Padres are likely to give Mejia a chance to earn the starting gig, but Hedges remains a solid defense-first option, though his fantasy outlook will remain limited with playing time not guaranteed.

Realmuto signed a one-year, $5.9 million deal with the Marlins on Friday, avoiding arbitration, Jon Heyman of FancredSports.com reports.

Realmuto and the Marlins were able to reach a number without the help of an arbiter despite the backstop reportedly having no interest in signing with the team long term. He's under control for two more seasons. Rumors persist that those seasons will be spent outside of Miami though no trade currently appears imminent.

Casali signed a one-year, $950,000 contract with the Reds on Thursday, avoiding arbitration, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Casali will return to Cincinnati after serving as the team's backup catcher for a chunk of the 2018 campaign. The 30-year-old hit a solid .293/.355/.450 with four homers in 52 games for the Reds last season, but his path to playing time remains firmly blocked by Tucker Barnhart heading into 2019.

Grandal agreed to a one-year, $18.25 million deal with the Brewers on Wednesday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

Grandal will receive slightly more than the $17.9 million qualifying offer he turned down earlier in the offseason. He was one of the best catchers in the league during the 2018 campaign, hitting .241/.349/.466 with 24 homers and 68 RBI across 140 games for the Dodgers. Look for Grandal to immediately slot in as the Brewers' primary backstop, representing a significant upgrade at the position.

D'Arnaud and the Mets agreed to a one-year, $3.515 million contract Saturday, avoiding arbitration, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

D'Arnaud made it into just four games for the Mets last season before suffering a partially torn UCL, an injury which required Tommy John surgery. He's expected to be ready by Opening Day but will now be battling for a backup job with Kevin Plawecki and Tomas Nido after the Mets signed Wilson Ramos to be their starting backstop.

Plawecki may not begin the upcoming season with the Mets following the Wilson Ramos signing, Andy Martino of SNY.tv reports.

Plawecki shared the catching duties with Travis d'Arnaud for most of the 2018 campaign, but he may be on the outside looking in after New York added a solid backstop via free agency in Ramos. The Mets could include Plawecki in a trade to acquire much-needed depth in the bullpen, per Martino, or Plawecki may simply end up at Triple-A Syracuse to begin the 2019 season.

Atlanta does not plan to hold further talks with the Marlins about Realmuto, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

The Braves haven't been in touch with the Marlins within the past five days. They appear to be moving on after signing Brian McCann three weeks ago.

Rupp signed a minor-league contract with the Giants on Friday which includes an invitation to spring training, Jon Heyman of FancredSports.com reports.

The Giants obviously have one of the best catchers in the game in Buster Posey, though he's caught fewer than 100 games in each of the last two years, so whoever becomes his backup could make a fair amount of starts. Rupp owns a career .234/.298/.407 line in 296 games, numbers which don't excite but which are perfectly adequate for a backup catcher. He was stuck in Triple-A for the entirety of last season, spending time with three different organizations. He'll primarily be battling Aramis Garcia, who hit .286/.308/.492 in a 19-game cameo last season, for a roster spot.