MLB Player News

Astros manager Dusty Baker said Tuesday that Diaz has won a spot on the Opening Day roster, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Diaz excelled in the upper minors last season, slashing .306/.356/.542 with 25 home runs and 96 RBI in 105 games between Double-A Corpus Christi and Triple-A Sugar Land. His primary position is catcher, but the 24-year-old has played some corner outfield and first base, and he might also be an option at DH for the reigning World Series champions.

Salazar will be included on the Astros' Opening Day roster, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

With Houston optioning Korey Lee to Triple-A Sugar Land on Tuesday, Yainer Diaz and Salazar will share backup duties behind starting catcher Martin Maldonado. Salazar has flashed decent power in recent minor-league seasons and produced a sparkling .979 OPS over 27 plate appearances this spring in the Grapefruit League.

Thaiss will make the Angels' Opening Day roster, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

Thaiss has been competing for a spot on the 26-man roster throughout the spring, and his most impressive stat has been his 10:7 BB:K. He's slashed just .200/.378/.257 with no homers or RBI over 45 plate appearances, but the decision to carry him on the Opening Day roster was made easy when Max Stassi (hip) was moved to the 10-day IL. Thaiss will begin the campaign as the backup to Logan O'Hoppe behind the plate.

The Astros optioned Lee to Triple-A Sugar Land on Tuesday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Yainer Diaz appears to have earned the second catching spot over Lee, who tallied four hits and four RBI in his 12-game MLB debut last season. The 2019 first-round pick will presumably see big-league action at some point this season, whether due to an Astros injury or Diaz's performance.

Delay will open the 2023 season as the Pirates' backup catcher, Kevin Gorman of the Pittsburgh Tribune Review reports.

The 28-year-old beat out both Tyler Heineman and Kevin Plawecki for the backup gig behind starter Austin Hedges. Delay slashed just .213/.265/.271 over his first 57 major-league games last season in Pittsburgh, and his minor-league stats aren't much better.

Heineman was reassigned Tuesday to the minor-league side of Pirates camp.

Austin Hedges will open the 2023 season as the primary catcher in Pittsburgh, with Jason Delay backing him up. Heineman, 31, is a career .214/.279/.276 hitter in 236 plate appearances at the MLB level.

Leon re-signed with the Rangers on a minor-league contract Tuesday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Leon requested and was given his release Monday but is quickly back in the organization on a re-worked deal. The veteran catcher will give the club some quality depth at Triple-A Round Rock.

Contreras went 2-for-3 with two home runs and six RBI in Monday's exhibition contest.

Contreras did not go yard over his first 15 appearances of the spring, but he made up for lost time by socking a pair of three-run shots Monday. Expect him to be behind the plate when the Brewers kick off the regular season Thursday against the Cubs.

McCann (oblique) is "likely" to need a stint on the injured list, Orioles general manager Mike Elias told MLB.com on Monday.

McCann tweaked his left oblique back on March 20 and hasn't played since. While the catcher considered it to be a "minor" strain, it doesn't look like he'll be well enough to avoid a trip to the IL. Anthony Bemboom looms as the likely roster replacement.

O'Hoppe has been informed he's made the Opening Day roster, Sarah Valenzuela of the Los Angeles Times reports.

O'Hoppe was a strong candidate regardless, but he is at least in part going to make the Angels out of spring training because Max Stassi (hip) will open the year on the injured list. The backstop has been solid in spring play with a .799 OPS over 36 plate appearances, and he likely will see the majority of the reps behind the plate while Stassi is on the shelf.