MLB Player News

Plawecki signed a minor-league contract with the Pirates on Sunday that includes an invitation to big-league spring training, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Though he won't be heading into spring training as a member of the Pirates' 40-man roster, Plawecki may be in the best position to make the Opening Day squad as the No. 2 backstop behind Austin Hedges. Beyond Hedges, prospect Endy Rodriguez is the only other catcher on the 40-man roster, but the 22-year-old doesn't have any prior big-league experience and has three minor-league options remaining, making him a strong candidate to head to Triple-A Indianapolis to begin the year. Plawecki, meanwhile, owns a .235/.313/.341 slash line (80 wRC+) over parts of eight seasons in the majors, though he's coming off a rough 2022 campaign in which he spent time with both the Red Sox and Rangers organizations.

It was announced Thursday that Sanchez will play for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Sanchez surprisingly remains a free agent with the start of spring training just over the horizon, but the 30-year-old power-hitting catcher at least has a team for the WBC. He batted .205/.282/.377 with 16 home runs and 61 RBI in 128 games last season with the Twins.

Collins signed a minor-league contract Thursday with the Guardians which includes an invitation to major-league spring training.

Collins struggled to a .155/.231/.320 batting line in 36 major-league games last season between the Blue Jays and Pirates. The 28-year-old catcher seems unlikely to make the Cleveland's Opening Day roster since he sits firmly behind Mike Zunino and Bo Naylor on the depth chart.

Wynns, who was outrighted off the Giants' 40-man roster Jan. 12, will attend MLB spring training.

Though he was moved off the Giants' 40-man roster during the offseason, the four-year MLB veteran didn't elect free agency and ultimately chose to stick around in the organization. He'll likely get the chance to compete for the top backup role behind No. 1 catcher Joey Bart, with fellow non-roster invitee Roberto Perez likely representing his top competition for the gig. Wynns saw action in 66 games for San Francisco in 2022, slashing .259/.313/.358 with three home runs and 21 RBI across 177 plate appearances.

Rodriguez will be on the major-league side of Pirates' camp this spring, per Justice delos Santos of MLB.com.

One of the top position-player prospects in the sport, Rodriguez slashed .323/.407/.590 with 25 home runs and 95 RBI in 125 games last season between High-A Greensboro, Double-A Altoona and Triple-A Indianapolis. The 22-year-old catcher seems doubtful to actually make the Opening Day roster in Pittsburgh, but he is certainly on the fast track to making his MLB debut.

Raleigh (thumb) said Wednesday that he had no issues while catching a bullpen session Tuesday for pitcher Marco Gonzales, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Raleigh mentioned that he has more rehab and strengthening work to do before being cleared for full baseball activities, but the fact that the surgically repaired left thumb isn't hindering him from catching is a positive sign at the onset of spring training. The switch-hitting backstop underwent surgery in the fall after he played through the broken thumb and a torn ligament in his left hand late in the regular season and during Seattle's postseason run. Raleigh, who hit 27 home runs and batted .211 in 415 plate appearances in 2022, appears on track to be ready for Opening Day, but he may not be formally cleared until he appears in a Cactus League game.

Perez agreed to a contract with the Giants on Sunday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Perez played in just 21 games for Pittsburgh last season before he ruptured his right hamstring and underwent season-ending surgery. The 34-year-old could open 2023 by splitting playing time with Joey Bart, who had a .660 OPS in his first full season as a starter behind the plate last year.

Reds manager David Bell said Friday that he wants Stephenson (collarbone) in the lineup for 140-150 games this season, Bobby Nightengale of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

That helps to explain why the Reds have stacked up an experienced cast of veteran backup catchers -- Curt Casali, Luke Maile, and Austin Romine -- over the course of the winter. Stephenson is expected to see a lot of time at DH and first base to aid in ensuring that he can handle a larger overall workload. The 26-year-old was limited to 50 games in 2022 due to a range of different ailments, but it was a broken collarbone that officially ended his season in August. He's averaged an .823 OPS with 15 home runs and 73 RBI for every 162 games played when healthy.

Perez re-signed with the Mets on a minor-league contract Thursday, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

Perez was acquired from the Pirates last midseason and later elected free agency after being outrighted off the 40-man roster, but he's now back with the organization on a minor-league pact. The 30-year-old sports a career .545 OPS over parts of five big-league seasons.

Barrera signed a minor-league contract with the Cardinals on Friday that includes an invitation to major-league spring training, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

The 28-year-old has seen big-league action in bits and pieces with the Nationals, collecting a .631 OPS in 162 plate appearances over three seasons. Barrera will likely to open 2023 at Triple-A Memphis.