MLB Player News

Thole (hamstring) was reassigned to minor league camp Friday.

The backstop already wasn't expected to play in the majors this year due to recently suffering a significant hamstring tear. If a second opinion upholds that dire prognosis, this procedural move may be only the first step to shutting Thole down completely.

Manager John Farrell said Leon remains the starting catcher heading into the regular season, Rob Bradford of WEEI reports.

Leon has turned things around a bit after a recent slump and is 6-for-23 this spring, though that comes with an underwhelming .553 OPS, without an extra-base hit. Still, Farrell likes what Leon brings with his overall game, and, for as questionable as its sustainability for 2017 may be, the 28-year-old hit .310/.369/.476 with seven home runs in 283 plate appearances last year. Fantasy players in two-catcher mixed leagues could do worse when scouring for a late-round, No. 2 receiver.

Diaz was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday.

Diaz finds himself behind Francisco Cervelli and Chris Stewart on the depth chart heading into the 2017 season, so the Pirates will send him to the minors to see more consistent playing time. The 26-year-old slashed .266/.289/.298 in an injury-plagued 2016, where he was limited to just 25 games at the minor league level.

Vazquez caught for Eduardo Rodriguez in a minor league game Wednesday and helped the left-hander by throwing out two runners trying to steal second base, Peter Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

These caught base-stealers don't register on Vazquez's official spring stat log, but the backstop has thrown out four of five would-be base-stealers in Grapefruit League play. His ability to control the running game and framing skills are enough to overcome whatever hitting holes he has. If Sandy Leon's hitting anywhere near last year's level (.845 OPS), Boston can maintain Vazquez on the roster. However, if Leon (career OPS .681) turns back into a pumpkin, the Red Sox would be in a position to call up Blake Swihart from Triple-A Pawtucket. In that case, there would be a roster squeeze, with neither Vazquez or Leon having any minor league options remaining.

Perez (elbow), who is serving as the team's DH for Wednesday's Cactus League game against the Padres, is expected to catch in games Friday and Saturday, Rustin Dodd of The Kansas City Star reports.

Perez hurt his knee during a collision at home plate during the World Baseball Classic, but that injury is no longer a concern, and it's instead a hyperextended left elbow that's presenting more trouble at this time. However, it seems he's just about healed up now, and once he gets behind the plate for about six innings in the two games over the weekend, he should be considered ready to go for the start of the season. The Royals are once again preparing to hand Perez one of the heftier workloads at catcher this season, which should help him in racking up counting stats.

Stassi cleared waivers on Tuesday and was outrighted to Triple-A Fresno, Jake Kaplan of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Stassi sits behind Brian McCann and Evan Gattis on the depth chart, so he was always an injury away from cracking the big league roster this season. The 26-year-old was out of minor league options, but the Astros were able to successfully pass him through waivers and keep him in the organization, where he'll head to Triple-A Fresno and serve as catching depth.

Mesoraco acknowledged that he might not be ready in time for Opening Day, the Cincinnati Enquirer reports. "I'm a guy who hasn't played in two years, essentially," Mesoraco told C. Trent Rosecrans. "For me to come out catching one full game and getting 15 at-bats in spring training, that's probably not putting me or the team in the best position. If everybody thinks I'm perfectly ready and ready to go, I'll be in there. If not, it's fine."

Mesoraco has to be treated as a complete wild card in redraft leagues this year, given that he's lost the last two seasons to injury and doesn't appear to be fully ready to start this season. It's not just whether and when he'll play; will he ever recapture the ability that made him valuable in the first place? His hip injury in particular is scary when it comes to generating power.

Perez (knee/elbow) is scheduled to DH on Wednesday and play catch on Friday, Rustin Dodd of The Kansas City Star reports.

This will be his first action back since hyperextending his left knee during a World Baseball Classic game, though the 26-year-old will only be able slot in as the DH due to an elbow injury he's also dealing with. Neither of the injuries is thought to be serious, though, so Perez still expects to be ready for Opening Day.

Leon is hitting just .188 (3-for-16) over seven games, but that's not a concern of manager John Farrell and the catcher remains Boston's presumptive Opening Day starter, Brian MacPherson of the Providence Journal reports. "We've been in a situation where we have rotated three guys in a starting role, so guys have been getting two at-bats every third day," Farrell said. "The offensive evaluation can be a little unfair."

The eye test isn't good for Leon, who has struck out or grounded out in 11 of his 16 spring at-bats. With this coming after a serious September fade in 2016, fantasy owners should treat Leon with circumspection. Red Sox hitting coach Victor Rodriguez echoes Farrell's comments about getting regular at-bats and added that Leon tired toward the end of 2016 under what had been career-high usage. He and Christian Vazquez project to start the season in Boston, but that duo is a potential cipher offensively. The Red Sox may eventually call up a better offensive weapon like Blake Swihart.

Stubbs (shoulder) entered Sunday's game against the Yankees in the seventh inning and caught the rest of the game.

Stubbs developed a shoulder issue early in camp and hadn't gotten into any games until Sunday. His defense is top-notch, particularly in the area of controlling the running game. Developing a competent bat will be a focus over the next 12 months.