MLB Player News

Murphy has gone 6-for-26 at the plate with three home runs and six RBI during Cactus League play entering Tuesday.

Murphy possesses the most offensive upside of any of the three catchers on the 40-man roster, but the premium the Rockies place on defense at the position has prevented him from receiving much of an extended look at the big-league level. The Rockies' decision to re-sign their primary option behind the plate from 2018, Chris Iannetta, realistically leaves Murphy battling with Tony Wolters for the second catcher spot on the Opening Day roster. Wolters' skills as a defender -- particularly as a pitch framer -- are clearly valued by the Rockies, but the fact that he has a minor-league option remaining may help Murphy, who has no options left and would be exposed to waivers if he fails to make the roster.

Maldonado (calf) is starting at catcher and hitting eighth Tuesday against the Cubs.

As expected, Maldonado is back in action after missing Sunday's game with a bruised calf. The veteran remains on track to open the season as the Royals' primary catcher.

Trevino was optioned to Triple-A Nashville on Tuesday.

Trevino got into his first three major-league games last year but spent the bulk of the campaign with Double-A Frisco. He earns a promotion despite hitting .234/.284/.332 in 46 games at that level.

The Tigers reassigned Sanchez to their minor-league camp Tuesday, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Detroit is expected to open the season with Grayson Greiner and John Hicks as its top two catchers, so Sanchez never had much of a shot at breaking camp with the big club as a non-roster invitee. The 29-year-old will likely be bound for Triple-A Toledo once the International League gets underway in April.

Contreras (finger) is back in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Mariners, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports.

The catcher had been out since Thursday after taking a foul ball off his hand. The issue didn't appear to be a major one, and his preparation for Opening Day should be largely unaffected.

McGuire was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo on Tuesday, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

McGuire had seemed to be the third catcher in Toronto behind Danny Jansen and Luke Maile, and this move confirms that. He could return whenever an injury strikes.

Sanchez went 0-for-4 with a pair of strikeouts Sunday in the Yankees' 7-3 win over the Phillies in Grapefruit League play.

After a disastrous 2018 campaign, Sanchez hasn't had the big spring some might have hoped to have seen before tabbing him for an early round selection in fantasy drafts. Over nine exhibition contests, Sanchez has gone 5-for-26 with eight strikeouts, but the backstop remains optimistic he'll break out of his rut at the plate. "Offensively I haven't gotten the results I want, but you also have to have patience," Sanchez told George A. King III and Ken Davidoff of the New York Post after the game.

Wynns (oblique) said Monday that he's hopeful to return to the Orioles' Grapefruit League lineup by the end of the week, Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports reports.

Wynns is slated to hit soft-toss pitching Tuesday before likely moving on to live batting practice Wednesday. If his oblique checks out fine following the two workouts, Wynns could re-enter the lineup as a designated hitter before eventually stepping back in behind the plate. With Chance Sisco having seemingly separated himself from the Orioles' other catchers in spring training, Wynns is competing with a trio of non-roster players in Jesus Sucre, Carlos Perez and Andrew Susac for the No. 2 gig.

Maldonado will rest Sunday after being hit by a pitch in the calf during a minor-league game, Lynn Worthy of The Kansas City Star reports.

The HBP happened Saturday, and the Royals are just being cautious with Maldonado due to Monday's off-day. The 32-year-old is still expected to make his Cactus League debut Tuesday against the Cubs and should remain on track to start the season as the Royals' primary catcher.

Realmuto went 3-for-3 with a two-run homer in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros.

The new Phillie has impressed so far this spring, hitting .429 with three homers in 28 at-bats. Already seen as one of the top offensive catchers in the game, Realmuto's stock only increased upon moving to a much better lineup in a much more hitter-friendly park this offseason, and he hasn't done anything yet to calm the hype.