MLB Player News

Ruiz was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Monday, Jorge Castillo of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Ruiz produced a solid .268/.328/.401 line at Double-A Tulsa last season. He'll now be one stop away from the big leagues, but Will Smith seems like the more likely Triple-A catcher to debut in 2019 if an injury should befall one of the big-league catchers.

Diaz (virus) returned to the Pirates on Sunday but is expected to begin the season on the injured list, John Perrotto of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.

Diaz has been away from the team over the last few weeks due to a virus and won't have enough time to rebuild his strength for Opening Day. Jacob Stallings is likely to serve as backup to Francisco Cervelli once the regular season kicks off. Manager Clint Hurdle said the team doesn't have a timetable for when Diaz might return.

Wallach (quadriceps) will start at catcher and bat eighth in Sunday's spring game against the Braves.

Wallach has been battling the quad injury since Feb. 28 but will make his return to the lineup Sunday. The 25-year-old has a chance to showcase himself while Jorge Alfaro continues to battle knee inflammation, though the team still expects Alfaro to be ready for Opening Day.

McCann went 1-for-3 with a home run and two RBI in Saturday's game against Texas.

McCann is enjoying a hot spring with his new team, hitting .389 (7-for-18) with five runs scored. The 28-year-old backstop is coming off a down season with the Tigers in 2018 but popped 25 homers in the two previous seasons. He is expected to back up Welington Castillo to start 2019 and could be useful in a platoon role against left-handers, against whom he's posted a .797 career OPS.

Wynns (oblique) will ramp up his throwing Sunday and will swing a bat sometime next week, Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports reports.

Wynns suggested Thursday that he would be back in the lineup within a few days, but it appears he'll need a bit more time. He'll need to get back in action soon if he's to hold off Jesus Sucre and Carlos Perez for the backup catcher job.

The Astros optioned Stubbs to their minor-league camp Saturday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Stubbs is likely in line to spend a third consecutive season at the Triple-A level, this time at Round Rock after spending the previous two campaigns with Fresno. There isn't currently an opening for Stubbs in the majors with Robinson Chirinos and Max Stassi locked in as the top two catchers, but the 25-year-old may be first in line for a promotion if an injury should arise.

The Marlins are hopeful that Wallach (quadriceps) will be ready to rejoin the Grapefruit League lineup Sunday versus the Braves, the Associated Press reports.

Wallach's impending return is a welcome development for the Marlins with top catcher Jorge Alfaro sidelined indefinitely with right knee inflammation. With Alfaro's availability for Opening Day now in peril, Wallach could have the opportunity to step in as the Marlins' No. 1 option behind the plate if health isn't an issue. Non-roster invitee Bryan Holaday could also share catching duties with Wallach if Alfaro is sidelined to begin the season.

Gallagher is no longer expected to be the Royals' starting catcher after the team signed Martin Maldonado on Saturday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

Gallagher temporarily seemed to be in line for a starting gig after Salvador Perez underwent season-ending surgery Wednesday, but that role was always contingent on the Royals not bringing in an external option. It's still possible Gallagher could carve out a significant role, as Maldonado is a veteran unlikely to be around more than one year who owns a career 72 wRC+.

Zavala (quadriceps) is available off the bench for Saturday's Cactus League game against the Rangers, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Zavala has been limited to just three at-bats this spring while tending to the strained left quad. It's unclear if the White Sox plan on using him Saturday, but the team's decision to make him available suggests that there's no longer much concern about the injury. Zavala is expected to open the upcoming season at Triple-A Charlotte.

Maldonado and the Royals came to terms Saturday on a one-year, $2.5 million contract, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports. The deal includes an additional $1.4 million in incentives.

After Kansas City lost top catcher Salvador Perez (elbow) to season-ending Tommy John surgery earlier this spring, the club wasted little time on checking in with Maldonado, the top option at the position still on the open market. The two sides were able to strike a deal fairly quickly, so Maldonado should have enough time to get in enough defensive work and at-bats over the next couple weeks to ensure he'll be ready for Opening Day. The 2017 Gold Glove winner will make his greatest impact on the defensive end, but the likelihood that he'll handle the majority of the starts behind the dish for Kansas City gives him some appeal as a second catcher in AL-only formats or deeper mixed leagues that start two backstops.