MLB Player News

Garcia (undisclosed) was carted off the field in Saturday's exhibition game against the White Sox, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

This is an extremely unfortunate occurrence for Garcia, who was involved in a home plate collision in the final inning of the Brewers' spring training schedule. He collided with Chicago's Nick Delmonico while trying to field the throw home and bent backwards awkwardly and remained on the ground for several minutes before being transported onto a cart. The Brewers figure to have a statement on the severity of Garcia's injury later in the weekend.

McCann is dealing with a left hand contusion after being hit by a pitch Saturday, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

McCann was replaced after being plunked on the wrist, though post-game X-rays revealed there was no structural damage to the wrist, which is good news. Manager Brad Ausmus is expecting McCann to be in the Opening Day lineup, according to Anthony Feneche of the Detroit Free Press. If the 26-year-old is unavailable Monday, Alex Avila would start behind the dish.

Sanchez had his contract purchased by the Padres on Saturday, Dennis Lin of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Sanchez, a non-roster invitee, earned a spot on the Opening Day roster after going 10-for-40 (.250) with three homers and seven RBI through 22 spring games. The 27-year-old will likely back up Austin Hedges.

Bethancourt has made the Padres' Opening Day roster as a reliever, Dennis Lin of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Bethancourt has been experimenting as a pitcher-catcher hybrid this spring, a move that's worked surprisingly well. The 25-year-old has allowed just two earned runs over 8.1 innings while also garnering three strikeouts. With Austin Hedges and Hector Sanchez ahead of him on the catching depth chart, it appears the team is going ahead with a full switch to becoming a pitcher. Expect Bethancourt to be used in low-leverage situations as he adjusts to his new role.

McCann has a wrap on his left hand after being hit by a pitch Saturday and leaving the game, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

The timing of this is unfortunate for McCann and the Tigers with Opening Day set for Monday. McCann was hit on his left hand in his first at-bat Saturday and was pulled from the game and replaced by a pinch runner. Woodbery adds that manager Brad Ausmus will provide a further update on McCann's status after Saturday's game. If McCann is unavailable Monday, Alex Avila would draw in behind the plate.

Gosewisch was optioned to Triple-A Tacoma on Friday, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

The 33-year-old was unlikely to beat out Mike Zunino or Carlos Ruiz for a roster spot from the get-go, but his .473 OPS during Cactus League play ultimately sealed his fate. Gosewisch will likely spend 2017 as an organizational depth piece.

With Bobby Wilson being reassigned to the minors, Barnes has officially won the Dodgers' backup catcher job out of camp, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

The Dodgers plan on using Yasmani Grandal as more than just a platoon catcher this season, so Barnes will be limited to a start or two per week. The 27-year-old won't generate fantasy interest unless Grandal were to go down to injury.

Higashioka was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Friday.

Higashioka clubbed a pair of home runs with five extra-base hits in 27 spring at-bats and might earn some emergency at-bats should a need open up with the Yankees.

Hernandez was optioned to Double-A Jackson on Thursday.

The Diamondbacks made a pair of roster moves to clear a spot for J.J. Hoover, whose contract was selected Thursday. Hernandez fared well this spring, slashing .294/.368/.647 with a pair of home runs, but the Diamondbacks had to cut down on the number of catchers they'll be carrying with Opening Day rapidly approaching. He'll begin the season at Double-A.

Hedges had a big day at the plate Wednesday, going 3-for-4 with a pair of home runs and four RBI in a spring training tie against the White Sox.

The young catcher had been mired in a 1-for-20 slump since returning from a minor hamstring injury, so Wednesday's outburst is a good sign that he is back on track as we approach Opening Day. Even with his mid-spring slump, Hedges boasts a .310/.341/.524 slash line through 17 games, numbers closer to his excellent 2016 Triple-A numbers (.326/.353/.597). The 24-year-old will handle the Padres' starting catcher duties, making him an intriguing deep-league target in the event he breaks out in his first year as a full-time starter.