MLB Player News

Realmuto (illness) is starting at catcher and batting second Tuesday against the Twins, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

He was under the weather for a couple days. Realmuto is batting .235 with one home run in seven games this spring.

McCann went 2-for-4 with a double, a home run, three RBI and an additional run scored in Monday's spring game against Cincinnati.

McCann swatted his first home run of the Cactus League and is batting .214 over 28 spring at-bats. He's expected to serve as the backup to Gabriel Moreno (forearm) but could be needed for more depending on the starter's recovery. Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo told Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports on Monday that Moreno will begin a throwing program next week, which also marks the start of the regular season. Lovullo is confident there's enough time for the injured catcher to ramp up for Opening Day; if not, McCann appears ready to fill in.

The Giants reassigned Porter to minor-league camp Monday, Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Porter spent the majority of last season with Triple-A Sacramento and inked a new minor-league deal that included an invitation to spring training following the season last October. He'll provide organizational catching depth for San Francisco.

Arizona manager Torey Lovullo expressed confidence Monday that Moreno (forearm) will be available for the Diamondbacks' March 26 season opener versus the Dodgers, Jose M. Romero of The Arizona Republic reports.

Moreno received good news over the weekend, when an MRI administered on his aching right forearm revealed inflammation but no structural damage. Though the injury isn't expected to affect Moreno at the plate, Lovullo said that the catcher will be barred from throwing this week while he waits for the inflammation to subside. Assuming he's cleared to make a start behind the dish in one of the Diamondbacks' exhibitions versus the Guardians early next week, Moreno should be ready to catch for Opening Day starter Zac Gallen on March 26.

Higashioka (back) will start at catcher and bat seventh in Monday's Cactus League game against the White Sox.

Higashioka hadn't appeared in a game since March 5 due to a back issue, but now that he's back behind the plate Monday, he should have plenty of time to prepare himself for the Rangers' March 26 opener in Philadelphia. The veteran backstop is expected to split catching duties with Danny Jansen this season.

Hicks went 0-for-3 in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros.

While it wasn't a noteworthy performance, Hicks saw his only real competition for a spot on the 26-man roster eliminated when top catching prospect Joe Mack was optioned to Triple-A Jacksonville on Sunday. Hicks is expected to split his time between catcher, first base and DH once again in 2026 while primarily facing right-handed pitching, a split in which he slashed .256/.349/.367 last year with six homers in 324 plate appearances.

Realmuto has been under the weather the past few days but could return to the Phillies' Grapefruit League lineup Tuesday against the Twins, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Realmuto has a .786 OPS through 19 plate appearances during spring training, so the illness shouldn't affect his availability for the start of the regular season. The 34-year-old is coming off a 2025 regular season that saw him post his worst OPS (.699) since his second MLB campaign in 2015.

The Rangers optioned MacIver to Triple-A Round Rock on Sunday.

Texas looks set to head into Opening Day with Danny Jansen and Kyle Higashioka (back) as its two backstops, but MacIver should be first in line for a call-up if another catcher is required. The 29-year-old made his big-league debut last season for the Athletics, slashing .186/.252/.324 with three home runs and three stolen bases over 111 plate appearances.

The Angels reassigned Campero to minor-league camp Saturday.

Campero logged 66 plate appearances over 28 games in the majors in 2025, but with the Angels outfield in good health as Opening Day approaches, he never seemed to have much of a chance of breaking camp with the big club. The 28-year-old is expected to begin the season at Triple-A Salt Lake.

Dingler, who went 0-for-3 with a strikeout in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Blue Jays, is batting just .188 through seven exhibition contests.

The start to Dingler's spring was delayed after he underwent arthroscopic right elbow surgery in the offseason. So far, the catcher has looked a bit sluggish offensively, but he's seeing regular playing time ahead of the regular season. Dingler had an impressive 2025 with a .278/.327/.425 slash line and 13 home runs across 126 regular-season contests, and he should be Detroit's clear No. 1 backstop this year with Jake Rogers in a reserve role.