MLB Player News

Sanchez (back) didn't take part in on-field batting practice as planned Tuesday, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

The Yankees have scheduled Sanchez to hit each of the previous three days, only for those plans to be tabled. Sanchez's lower back is evidently still presenting some discomfort, but at this stage, the Yankees are viewing his injury as a day-to-day concern. He's still expected to catch side sessions the next two days while the Yankees are traveling, so if Sanchez fares well in those workouts, he could be cleared to re-enter the Grapefruit League lineup at some point over the weekend.

Ruiz was optioned to minor-league camp Monday.

Ruiz struggled in Cactus League play, going hitless in 10 at-bats and racking up four strikeouts. He'll likely open the season with Triple-A Oklahoma City, where he hit .316 with two home runs in 40 plate appearances last season.

Campusano was sent to minor-league camp Sunday, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Campusano got into two Cactus League games, going 1-for-4 with a single. He will likely begin the season in Double-A ball after tearing up the California League last season with a .325 batting average and 15 home runs en route to co-MVP honors.

Sanchez (back) is feeling better but won't return to game action until at least Friday, Anthony Rieber of Newsday Sports reports.

Sanchez is scheduled to take batting practice Monday, but manager Aaron Boone said he likely won't return to game action until Friday mainly due to the Yankees' schedule over the next several days. The 27-year-old is also scheduled to work on catching duties Monday and appears to be trending to a full workload ahead of his likely return to the starting lineup.

Grullon was optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Monday, Meghan Montemurro of The Athletic reports.

Grullon was trying to compete for the Phillies' backup catcher role during spring training, but it appears as though Andrew Knapp (ribs) will likely secure the role despite dealing with an injury this spring. Grullon made his major-league debut in 2019 and could return at some point in 2020, but his fantasy outlook will likely be limited as long as J.T. Realmuto is healthy and serving as the starting catcher.

Sanchez (back) is scheduled to take batting practice Monday, George A. King III of the New York Post reports.

Sanchez's activity has been limited since he experienced lower-back tightness coming out of his last Grapefruit League appearance Friday, but the Yankees were seemingly just exercising precaution in withholding him from action over the weekend. His ability to take swings Monday leaves the door open for Sanchez to return to the spring lineup Tuesday versus Toronto, but the Yankees will presumably first wait and see how he feels in the hours leading up to that game before rendering a decision on his availability.

Collins went 1-for-2 with a walk and a two-run home run in Sunday's spring game against the Royals.

Collins started at catcher and cranked his second Cactus League home run. He's 5-for-16 with three extra-base hits, five RBI and eight walks over 11 spring games. Collins is an offense-first catcher that continues to plug away at his defensive skills, but he's unlikely to break camp with the White Sox unless the team feels the need to carry a third catcher as its 26th man. Yasmani Grandal and James McCann (on a one-year deal) are ahead of him on the organizational depth chart.

Manager Aaron Boone said he hopes Sanchez (back) will return to the lineup for Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Blue Jays, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

The 27-year-old isn't listed on the travel roster for Monday's matchup with the Phillies, but he was able to participate in catching drills Sunday. Sanchez reported some soreness in his lower back Saturday after catching back-to-back days, but the issue doesn't appear to be a serious concern. Barring any continuing problems, there shouldn't be a question regarding his availability for Opening Day.

Sanchez (back) isn't included on the Yankees' travel roster for Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies and appears unlikely to play in that contest, George A. King III of the New York Post reports.

Sanchez indicated that his lower back was sore Saturday after catching the previous two days, but at this stage, the Yankees don't seem overly concerned about the injury. Per Bryan Hoch of MLB.com, Sanchez doesn't plan to take part in his scheduled batting practice session Sunday, but he isn't scheduled to undergo an MRI and thinks he could play Monday if necessary. Sanchez looks like he'll be good to go by the time Opening Day arrives March 26, but the Yankees will slow play his return this week, and he may not return to game action until Friday, according to Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News.

Maldonado (thumb) is in the lineup for Saturday's spring game against the Cardinals, according to MLB.com.

Maldonado missed a few days after taking a foul ball off his left thumb, but he will be back behind the plate Saturday and will hit seventh in the Astros' batting order.