MLB Player News

Mejia will be included on the Padres' Opening Day roster, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Mejia earned himself a spot on the team's Opening Day roster thanks to an impressive showing in spring; across 18 Cactus League games, the backstop slashed .348/.375/.630 with three homers and 14 RBI. He figures to open the season as the backup behind the dish to Austin Hedges, though the 23-year-old could force his way into the lineup more regularly if he carries his success from spring into the regular season.

Leon was outrighted to Triple-A Pawtucket on Tuesday, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Leon, who passed through waivers without being claimed Tuesday, has 48 hours to accept his assignment to Triple-A or elect free agency. Should he choose to stick in the Red Sox's organization and report to the PawSox, it would allow the backstop to retain his $2.475 million salary for 2019.

Leon passed through waivers without being claimed Tuesday, Evan Drellich of WEEI Boston reports.

Leon has a good reputation as a pitch framer, but no team felt like creating a roster spot for a player who hit .177/.232/.279 last season. By all accounts Leon is expected to head to Triple-A Pawtucket and wait for an injury to open up an opportunity to return to the big leagues.

Barnhart went 1-for-3 in the Reds' loss to the Braves on Monday and will finish spring training hitting .135/.256/.243, as he's not in the lineup Tuesday.

Barnhart is frequently drafted as a "can't hurt you" second catcher in two-catcher leagues. He did draw six walks in his 43 plate appearances, but had just five hits all spring. He struck out 12 times, good for a 28 percent strikeout percentage, well above his career norms. All of this comes with the obvious caution that it's a small sample, and a spring training one at that.

Mesoraco will be placed on the restricted list after declining a minor-league assignment, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.

As expected, Mesoraco will shift to the restricted list after failing to make the Opening Day roster and refusing a minor-league assignment. He'll likely elect to retire following this latest development.

Wynns (oblique) was placed on the 10-day injured list Monday.

As expected, Wynns will be out for at least the first week of the season. It's unclear when he's expected to return, but he's returned to batting practice in recent days, so his absence may not be too long. Pedro Severino and Jesus Sucre will open the season as the team's catchers.

Rupp will not be on the Tigers' Opening Day roster, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

The Tigers evidently saw no reason to carry a third catcher behind Grayson Greiner and John Hicks. The team will attempt to send Rupp to Triple-A Toledo, though he has the right to refuse an assignment and become a free agent.

Mesoraco is expected to retire, Matt Ehalt of The Bergen Record reports.

The Mets, who informed Mesoraco over the weekend that he wouldn't be on their Opening Day roster, are expected to place the backstop on the restricted list, as he has no plans to accept his minor-league assignment (and the Mets don't want to release him). Should he call it quits, Mesoraco will end his career with a .232/.309/.406 triple-slash over parts of eight seasons.

Murphy was claimed off waivers by the Giants on Monday, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.

Murphy has found a new home after being designated for assignment by the Rockies over the weekend. The backstop should immediately challenge Erik Kratz for a role as Buster Posey's backup. Both Murphy and Kratz are out of minor-league options, so perhaps the Giants will attempt to sneak one of them through waivers. Murphy hit .250/.323/.607 with three homers in 17 appearances this spring. He owns a career .219/.271/.439 with 10 homers across parts of four big-league seasons (81 games).

Wynns (oblique) is expected to open the season on the injured list, Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports reports.

The news is hardly surprising, as Wynns hasn't played in a game for over three weeks. He's returned to batting practice in the last few days, but it's still unclear when he's expected to get back into game action.