MLB Player News
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Heriberto Hernandez C | MIA
Marlins' Heriberto Hernandez: Playing-time outlook improving
Hernandez is likely to see extra playing time in left field due to Kyle Stowers (hamstring) being set to begin the season on the IL, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reports.
Hernandez was initially see more time at DH while providing a platoon partner for Stowers in left field and Owen Caissie in right, but he now might need his glove more often. Griffin Conine will also have a big role in the LF/DH mix with Hernandez, while Connor Norby could also get some starts in left if he shows he's up to the task defensively. Hernandez is batting .226 (7-for-31) in 13 Grapefruit League games with three homers, four steals and a 6:9 BB:K.
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Garrett Stubbs C | PHI
Phillies' Garrett Stubbs: Could be on move
Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said Sunday that Stubbs will be designated for assignment if the Phillies are unable to trade the 32-year-old catcher prior to Wednesday, Ty Daubert of PhilliesNation.com reports.
The Phillies will head into Opening Day with J.T. Realmuto and Rafael Marchan as their two catchers, and since Stubbs has no minor-league options remaining, he'll have to be exposed to waivers if he isn't dealt. In an effort to strengthen his case for a roster spot, Stubbs played some third base and left field during the Grapefruit League, but it wasn't enough for the Phillies to keep him over Marchan.
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Rafael Marchan C | PHI
Phillies' Rafael Marchan: Secures Opening Day roster spot
General manager Dave Dombrowski said Sunday that Marchan has won a spot on the Phillies' Opening Day roster, Ty Daubert of PhilliesNation.com reports.
Marchan was able to win the backup catcher job over Garrett Stubbs. J.T. Realmuto will see the majority of the starts behind the dish, but Marchan could see a slight uptick in opportunities behind the 35-year-old. Despite staying healthy for the entire 2025 campaign, Marchan was limited to just 118 plate appearances and slashed .210/.282/.305 with two home runs, 13 RBI and nine runs.
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Rafael Flores C | PIT
Pirates' Rafael Flores: Optioned to minors
The Pirates optioned Flores to Triple-A Indianapolis on Sunday.
The 25-year-old struggled this spring, going 2-for-25 with 10 strikeouts and six walks in 14 games. Flores made his MLB debut with seven appearances for Pittsburgh last year and could rejoin the big club in 2026 if depth at first base or catcher is needed.
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Sandy Leon C | ATL
Braves' Sandy Leon: Opening season in minors
Atlanta reassigned Leon to minor-league camp Friday.
Leon saw action in five games with Atlanta in 2025 but had little chance of cracking the Opening Day roster after the club signed Jonah Heim to a one-year deal shortly before the start of spring training. Leon will likely need at least one of Drake Baldwin or Heim to break down while Sean Murphy (hip) is still sidelined to make his way back to the big leagues.
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Kyle Teel C | CHW
White Sox's Kyle Teel: Making progress with hamstring
Teel (hamstring) was able to perform light sprints and hitting Friday and has "no pain or stretch" while catching, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.
Teel suffered a Grade 2 right hamstring strain in mid-March while playing for Team Italy during the World Baseball Classic. He was given an initial 4-to-6 week timeline for recovery, which would put him out until at least mid-April. Teel told Merkin that he doesn't expect to be ready for Chicago's home opener (Thursday, April 2 against Toronto) but did say he could return shortly thereafter. The backstop also suggested that he'll be playing it safe with the injury, stating, "My goal is to come back as soon as possible. There's no denying that. It's just being smart about it. And making good choices, ramping up appropriately."
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Travis d'Arnaud C | LAA
Angels' Travis d'Arnaud: In line for No. 2 catcher role
D'Arnaud is expected to serve as the Angels' No. 2 catcher behind Logan O'Hoppe this season, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.
D'Arnaud served in the same role during his first season with the Angels last year and finished the campaign with a .598 OPS along with six homers and 21 RBI across 231 plate appearances. He struggled to make contact, posting a career-worst 32.0 percent strikeout rate. O'Hoppe is viewed by the Angels as a potential long-term stalwart behind the plate, so d'Arnaud isn't a threat to usurp the younger catcher's playing time.
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Reese McGuire C | CHW
Reese McGuire: Entering free agency
McGuire exercised his release clause with the Brewers on Saturday and will become a free agent, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.
McGuire entered spring training competing with Gary Sanchez for the Brewers' backup catcher job behind William Contreras. McGuire struggled across 10 Cactus League games, posting a .103/.161/.207 slash line with a solo home run in 31 plate appearances. Now that he's a free agent, McGuire will look to catch on with a team in need of backstop depth.
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Agustin Ramirez C | MIA
Marlins' Agustin Ramirez: Still looking for rhythm at plate
Ramirez went 1-for-2 with a walk, a double, two runs scored and an RBI in Friday's split-squad game against the Nationals.
The 24-year-old catcher has struggled to get much going in Grapefruit League action, as Friday's double was his first hit in camp and he's batting just .053 (1-for-19) with a 1:8 BB:K. Ramirez also went 1-for-7 with a double in two games for the Dominican Republic during the WBC. After a 2025 rookie season that saw Ramirez slash .231/.287/.413 with 21 homers and 16 steals over 136 games, he's looking for more consistency -- both at the plate and behind it -- in his sophomore campaign.
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Hayden Senger C | NYM
Mets' Hayden Senger: Opening 2026 in Triple-A
The Mets optioned Senger to Triple-A Syracuse on Saturday.
The Mets will go with Francisco Alvarez and Luis Torrens as the club's top catchers while Senger will open the 2026 season in Triple-A. Senger made his major-league debut in 2025 and appeared in 33 regular-season games, posting a .181/.221/.194 slash line with one double and four RBI in 78 plate appearances.