MLB Player News

Collins went 1-for-2 with a home run in Wednesday's intrasquad game.

Collins launched his second home run during summer camp and continues to show the impact bat seen in spring training, when the catching prospect hit a pair of homers and drove in six runs. "His pedigree tells us that's what he's going to do, and he's getting better at it," third-base coach Nick Capra told Scott Merkin of MLB.com of Collins' power. "Obviously, he has a ways to go, but he has some pop in his bat and a good idea what he's doing at the plate." Collins hit 19 home runs, slugged .548 and had a .403 on-base percentage at Triple-A Charlotte in 2019. He'll serve as the White Sox's third catcher in 2020.

Realmuto expects to be able to handle a very heavy workload this season, given the shortened schedule and the universal designated hitter, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

The catcher believes he can catch at least 50 games and could serve as the designated hitter or first baseman in the rest. Players intending to play every day is hardly a rare occurrence, though Realmuto is known for his heavy workloads. No one spent more innings behind the plate than he did last season.

Ruiz (undisclosed) is the only member of the Dodgers' player pool yet to report to camp, but he hit in an indoor cage Tuesday, Michael J. Duarte of NBC LA reports.

The reason for Ruiz's absence from camp remains undisclosed, though he is one of a handful of Dodgers whom manager Dave Roberts indicated last week could return "sooner than later." Ruiz wasn't expected to break camp with the club even if he reported on time despite his presence on the 40-man roster.

Heineman is competing with Rob Brantly and Chadwick Tromp for the Giants' top catching job in the wake of Buster Posey's decision last week to opt out of the 2020 season, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

According to Pavlovic, Heineman may have emerged as the frontrunner in the three-man competition for the job, as manager Gabe Kapler praised the backstop after he was able to lay down a bunt and steal third base during Tuesday's intrasquad game. With only 12 career plate appearances in the majors and a career .285/.363/.416 slash line over parts of eight seasons in the minors, the 29-year-old Heineman lacks a flashy fantasy profile, but he could have value in an NL-only or deeper two-catcher league if he breaks camp as the Giants' No. 1 option behind the dish.

Murphy (foot) is not expected to practice Wednesday but could return Thursday, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

Murphy fouled a ball off his foot during Tuesday's intrasquad game, the second time in eight days that he'd done so. The issue doesn't appear likely to threaten his readiness for Opening Day.

The White Sox added Zavala to their player pool Tuesday, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

The White Sox already have three catchers working out in summer camp, so Zavala represents a depth option. He will work with the pitchers at the team's satellite training site, Schaumburg Boomers Stadium.

Murphy fouled a ball off his foot during Tuesday's intrasquad game and exited for good at the end of the inning, Shannon Drayer of 710 ESPN Seattle reports.

The backstop had a similar incident occur July 6, and in that instance, he missed one day of summer camp workouts. Tuesday's foul ball caromed off the lower leg/foot area, and although Murphy was able to tough it out until the end of the frame, he was replaced in the following inning. An update on his condition is likely to come at some point Wednesday.

Perez is making a strong bid for the backup catcher job in summer camp, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports. "[He's] a guy that is starting to come into his own," said Rays manager Kevin Cash. "He seems pretty motivated and kind of hungry to make the most of the opportunity that is presented."

Perez had slugged a pair of home runs before spring training was suspended, and he's impressed thus far in summer camp with multiple strong at-bats during simulated games. That includes Tuesday, when he laced a double off the returning Tyler Glasnow. Perez is trying to ward off a couple of capable veterans in Kevan Smith and Chris Herrmann for an Opening Day roster spot, and Cash talked up the emerging backstop as a player that could take advantage of his opportunity in similar fashion to how Travis d'Arnaud did on last year's playoff team.

Contreras homered in Tuesday's intrasquad game and now leads the Cubs with three home runs during summer camp, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Contreras is off to a strong start in camp and seems poised to post good numbers in the 60-game regular season if he stays healthy. The team has already announced that Victor Caratini will be the personal catcher for Yu Darvish, which should ease the burden on Contreras behind the plate.

Trevino may replace Robinson Chirinos (ankle) as the starting catcher, Sam Blum of the Dallas Morning News reports.

Chirinos suffered a right ankle injury in a collision during Monday's intrasquad game and could miss a few days as a result. Texas manager Chris Woodward is looking at Trevino as a potential replacement and feels Trevino has made significant improvement at the plate. "What I've seen as the biggest difference is the bat. The swing changes he's made, the commitment to his work and being able to handle all of that is tough for a catcher, especially a young catcher," said the manager.