MLB Player News

McCann (ankle) went 0-for-3 with two walks Tuesday for Triple-A Toldedo in the first game of his rehab assignment.

Nice start, but he was the designated hitter and still hasn't squatted behind the plate for more than a bullpen session. McCann is expected to be behind the dish Wednesday for Toledo, so Thursday morning will tell the tale about fatigue and relative readiness for return to the Tigers.

Casali is out of the lineup Wednesday against the Orioles, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Hank Conger's defensive woes have given Casali every chance to win the starting catcher job outright, but Casali has both not thrown out anyone this season (0-for-4) and is hitting just .146 on the season while striking out 21 times in 41 at-bats. Casali will be replaced by Conger in the lineup Wednesday.

Barnhart collected two hits -- including a double -- and scored a run in Tuesday's 4-3 loss to the Mets.

the 25-year-old doesn't play everyday, but he's been very productive to start the young season. He's got an impressive .355/.412/.419 slash line and will likely find his way into the lineup more often if he keeps hitting.

Contrary to a previous report, Hedges has a hamate bone fracture, and will miss six-to-eight weeks, MLB.com's AJ Cassavell reports.

It was originally reported as a hand contusion, but the injury ended up being more serious. Hedges' defensive skills are unquestioned, but he still needs to show he can be even a mediocre hitter in the big leagues. He was off to a good start prior to the injury, slashing .333/.385/.583 with two home runs in 10 games at Triple-A, and could get recalled this summer once he is healthy, especially if Derek Norris gets traded.

Sanchez had his contract purchased by the White Sox on Tuesday, Colleen Kane of the Chicago Tribune reports.

The White Sox needed a catcher after placing Kevan Smith (back) on the disabled list, allowing Sanchez to join the big league roster. He hasn't been hitting all that well with Triple-A Charlotte, posting a rough .143 batting average, although he does have two home runs in 30 plate appearances to his credit. Despite this, Sanchez will likely serve as the backup catcher behind Dioner Navarro until Smith or Alex Avila return from their respective injuries.

Mesoraco is out of the lineup for Tuesday's matchup with the Mets.

Mesoraco will sit out again while backup Tucker Barnhart steps in behind the plate and bats sixth in his place. While Mesoraco has a homer in three career at-bats against Mets starter Bartolo Colon, he has been slumping of late, recording three hits in his last 18 at-bats.

Plawecki will see an uptick in playing time with Travid d'Arnaud landing on the 15-day disabled with a strained rotator cuff.

Plawecki played in 73 games last season as a rookie, many of which occurred while d'Arnaud was sidelined with injury. He struggled last season and began this year in danger of getting sent down to Triple-A to accumulate more at-bats. That won't be a concern now, as Plawecki should play nearly every day backed up by a defense-oriented catcher in Rene Rivera.

D'Arnaud (shoulder) was placed on the DL on Tuesday.

D'Arnaud underwent further testing earlier Tuesday which revealed a right rotator cuff strain, leading to the DL stint. It's unclear how much time he'll be sidelined for, but Kevin Plawecki figures to see the bulk of the action behind home plate in his stead, while catcher Rene Rivera was recalled in a corresponding move.

Casali went 1-for-2 with a double and two RBI in Monday's 2-0 victory over the Orioles.

The 27-year-old provided ace Chris Archer with all the run support he'd need to secure his first victory of 2016. Casali plated Steven Souza with a fifth-inning, two-out double to left, and then drove in Corey Dickerson by virtue of getting plunked by reliever Vince Worley with the bases jammed in the sixth. The performance snapped a three-game hitless streak for the backstop, who's still slashing.158/.200/.289 over 38 at-bats this season, with only one multi-hit game to his credit.

McCann (ankle) will start a rehab assignment with Triple-A Toledo on Tuesday.

McCann has been able to catch a bullpen session and run the bases in recent days, but it remains unclear if he'll take the field during the rehab stint or just serve in a DH capacity. If all goes well during his return to game action, the catcher appears to be on track to rejoin the Detroit lineup by the beginning of May.