MLB Player News

Wallach exited Thursday's Grapefruit League game due to a quadriceps injury, Andre Fernandez of The Athletic reports.

Manager Don Mattingly said Wallach "felt something in his quad" during Thursday's loss to the Astros, which helps explain his removal after three innings. Mattingly said the issue was minor, though he failed to offer up a timetable for Wallach's return, leaving the backup catcher day-to-day. Wallach is 1-for-5 through three games this spring.

Royals manager Ned Yost said Perez will sit out Thursday due to minor elbow soreness, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

Yost didn't seem too worried about the issue, chalking it up to normal spring soreness. Once healthy, Perez will be eased into action, starting off as a designated hitter before making his debut behind the dish sometime next week. Assuming everything goes as planned, Perez should have plenty of time to get up to speed before Opening Day.

Gallagher (undisclosed) is back in the lineup Thursday against the Padres.

Gallagher was scratched from Wednesday's lineup for unknown reasons. Whatever the issue was, it was apparently a minor one, as he'll wind up missing just a single game.

Sanchez (shoulder) took part in a simulated game Thursday, Erik Boland of Newsday reports.

Sanchez stepped in for a few at-bats against Luis Severino in what likely amounts to the backstop's final hurdle to clear in his recovery from offseason shoulder surgery before making his spring debut. Assuming Sanchez reports no discomfort with his shoulder coming out of the workout, he could be included in the lineup for the Yankees' Grapefruit League game Friday versus the Orioles. Sanchez will presumably serve as a designated hitter for a few games before seeing action behind the dish.

Casali (hip) thinks he'll be back in game action in a week, John Fay of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Initial reports suggested that Casali wouldn't be ready for game action until mid-March, giving him just two weeks to prepare for Opening Day, but he appears to be a week ahead of that timeline. He'll have the inside shot on the Reds' backup catcher job if healthy, though the team also has Kyle Farmer and Rule 5 pick Connor Joe in camp.

Contreras went 1-for-2 with a two-run home run and two runs scored in Wednesday's Cactus League win over the Rangers.

Contreras is off to a good start this spring, as he now has two home runs and five RBI in his first three games. The 26-year-old catcher took a step back in the power department last season, as he saw his home-run total dip from 21 in 2017 to just 10 last year. If Contreras can regain his homer stroke in 2019 he should be among the top catchers in fantasy baseball.

D'Arnaud (elbow) said he's "getting close to being in games," Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports. "Everything feels good," said the backstop. "Defensively, good. Offensively, good."

The Mets have brought d'Arnaud along slowly this spring as he works back from Tommy John surgery that he underwent last April. While he remains without a concrete return date at the moment, the 30-year-old suggested he could be cleared to make his Grapefruit League debut within a matter of days, as he's cleared most of the necessary hurdles. Once healthy, d'Arnaud will compete with Devin Mesoraco for the team's backup catching role.

Gallagher was scratched from the Royals' Cactus League lineup Wednesday versus the Giants for an undisclosed reason.

The Royals should provide additional word if an injury is at the root of Gallagher's absence, but it's possible the team just wanted to build in some rest for the 26-year-old, who is expected to break camp as the backup to Salvador Perez. Non-roster invitee Nick Dini will step in behind the plate for Gallagher and serve as the Royals' No. 8 hitter.

Diaz is week-to-week with a virus and could begin the regular season on the injured list, John Perrotto of DK Pittsburgh Sports reports.

Director of medicine Todd Tomczyk did not reveal Diaz's specific ailment. The backstop missed time with a case of cellulitis in 2017. Francisco Cervelli and Jacob Stallings would likely share catching duties if Diaz is forced to miss the start of the regular season. Unless Diaz's illness is more serious than is currently known, the 27-year-old figures to see significant playing time in 2019. He hit .286 with 10 homers and 34 RBI in 252 at-bats last season.

Thaiss was 2-for-3 with a run scored, two RBI and two doubles during Tuesday's spring win against Oakland.

Thaiss posted a .277/.328/.457 slash line with 10 home runs over 85 games at Triple-A Salt Lake in 2018. Barring an injury to Justin Bour or Albert Pujols, the 23-year-old is unlikely to crack the Opening Day roster.