MLB Player News

Haase has changed his offseason workout routine to try to be more "explosive" when he plays in the outfield, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Detroit manager A.J. Hinch previously said Haase is a "catcher first," though it seems clear from his offseason focus on speed and quickness that he will appear at multiple positions this season. That should help the 29-year-old play more frequently and potentially pick up eligibility at a few different spots. Haase is coming off a career year in which he blasted 22 home runs across 98 games.

Contreras went 1-for-1 with a walk and a two-run home run in Tuesday's Cactus League game against the Diamondbacks.

Contreras is only batting .222 this spring, though his 1.089 OPS is much more impressive. The veteran catcher did not reach a deal with the Cubs before the arbitration deadline earlier this month, so he will have a hearing coming up in the near future. Contreras is under team control through the end of 2022, though Chicago could of course trade him at some point during the season. For now, he profiles as the team's everyday backstop, with Yan Gomes serving in a reserve role.

Rortvedt (oblique) was cleared to resume hitting off a tee Monday, Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News reports.

Rortvedt has taken another step forward in his recovery from an oblique strain, but he'll likely need to graduate to hitting soft-toss pitching and then live batting practice before being deemed ready for Opening Day. The young catcher doesn't look like he'll have enough time to gain clearance for the April 7 season opener versus Boston, but he shouldn't be in store for a lengthy stay on the injured list to begin the campaign. In the meantime, Kyle Higashioka is expected to serve as the Yankees' top backstop while Rortvedt is idle.

McCann (back) will start at catcher and bat eighth in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Marlins.

Just as manager Buck Showalter said would be the case, McCann is ready to go after he was sidelined for game action over the past week while dealing with back soreness. The missed time shouldn't affect McCann's preparation for Opening Day. He's projected to serve as the Mets' clear No. 1 catcher in 2022 after the team didn't add much in the way of competition during the offseason.

Higashioka is slashing .500/.538/1.250 with three home runs, four RBI and four runs scored over 13 Grapefruit League plate appearances.

Higashioka entered camp expecting to work in a platoon with Ben Rortvedt behind the plate, but Rortvedt has yet to get into a contest due to an oblique injury. Higashioka has seized upon the opportunity with a power-packed spring performance that includes a team-best three homers. If Rortvedt is unable to get ramped up in time for Opening Day, Higashioka would likely open the campaign as the team's everyday catcher. However, a platoon remains the most likely scenario for the bulk of the season, especially considering Higashioka's tepid .181/.246/.389 slash line over 67 games for the Yankees last season.

The Mets sent Alvarez to minor-league spring training Monday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Alvarez was in big-league camp with the Mets but never had a realistic chance of making the Opening Day roster. The 20-year-old, who is New York's top prospect, spent most of the 2021 campaign at High-A Brooklyn, where he hit .247/.351/.538 with 22 home runs, 58 RBI and six stolen bases in 84 games. He's likely to start out 2022 with Double-A Binghamton given his success at Brooklyn last season.

Wynns was assigned to minor-league camp on Monday.

Wynns was in camp as a non-roster invitee but faced long odds to crack the Opening Day roster. The Phillies already have Garrett Stubbs, Donny Sands and Rafael Marchan on the 40-man roster to provide depth behind J.T. Realmuto, so it would take multiple injuries for Wynns to earn a spot.

Amaya (elbow) was optioned to Double-A Tennessee on Monday, Tony Andracki of Marquee Sports Network reports

Amaya underwent Tommy John surgery back in November and is still rehabbing. He doesn't have a clear timeline for his return to action.

The Brewers optioned Sullivan to Triple-A Nashville on Monday.

The versatile Sullivan had been hopeful to break camp with the Brewers as a No. 3 catcher and reserve option in the infield and outfield, but the fact that he has minor-league options remaining likely worked against him in his bid for the Opening Day roster. The 28-year-old will thus have to wait longer to make his MLB debut, though the fact that he possesses a spot on the 40-man roster bodes well for his chances of earning a call-up if the Brewers' position-player depth is tested at any point.

Contreras could spend some time in the outfield at the Triple-A level this season in an effort to increase his defensive versatility, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Contreras has a clearer path to being the catcher of the future in Atlanta after Shea Langeliers was traded to Oakland in the Matt Olson deal, but the team is set at the position right now with Travis d'Arnaud and Manny Pina. Adding the ability to play the outfield would make it easier to get Contreras' bat in the lineup, though that bat hasn't looked particularly special through his first 56 MLB games, as he's hit a modest .225/.308/.405.