MLB Player News

Unless the Astros make a move for outside catching help, Pena is likely to open 2016 as the No. 2 catcher behind Jason Castro, Evan Drellich of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Pena lacks experience above Double-A and is hitting just .192 over 28 Grapefruit League plate appearances. If he does open 2016 with the Astros, his stay in Houston may be short-lived, as it's widely assumed the team will make a move for outside catching help with Max Stassi (wrist) on the shelf until May at the earliest.

Gomes played in back-to-back games Friday and Saturday after being sidelined last week by an illness.

He homered in Saturday's game against the Reds, and should be ready to go as Cleveland's Opening Day catcher.

Leon was assigned to minor league camp Monday.

The moves comes as no surprise, as Leon was expected to start the year at the Triple-A level all along. He'll battle with Dan Butler, who was also reassigned Monday, for a potential call-up later in the year in the event of an injury or performance drop-off.

Vazquez (elbow) will begin the season on the disabled list.

Vazquez did not experience any issues related to his 2015 Tommy John surgery this spring, but he is apparently still completing his recovery, and will be eased into regular season action. He will be an option for the big club once the Red Sox determine he is back at 100 percent.

Casali has hit .316 and tallied four RBI over 19 exhibtion at-bats during 2016 spring training.

The third-year pro displayed some considerable pop at the plate last season, blasting 10 homers in just 101 at-bats. Casali has had a productive enough spring, but fellow backstop Rene Rivera has also been solid (.321 average over 28 at-bats). Veteran offseason acquisition Hank Conger has considerably struggled at the plate (.154 average) to date, and manager Kevin Cash has mused about the possibility of keeping three catchers on the major league roster in the season's early going, brightening Casali's prospects for the time being.

Grandal (forearm) has a chance to play catch and swing a bat as early as Monday, Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register reports.

Grandal is able to catch bullpen sessions at this time, and even participates in some defensive drills. That being said, the backstop has been doing all of those tasks without working in any throwing. If he's able to make that progression Monday, it would be a great sign, although Grandal remains scheduled to open the 2016 season on the disabled list.

Vazquez won't be on the Red Sox's 25-man roster to begin the season, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports.

Vazquez hasn't experienced any setbacks since returning from Tommy John surgery during the spring, but the team's main priority remains building up the young catcher's innings behind the plate. It hasn't been determined yet whether he'll begin the season at Triple-A Pawtucket or stick around in Fort Myers, Fla. for extended spring training, but once the Red Sox feel confident that he's fully healthy, Vazquez could displace Ryan Hanigan as the backup catcher behind Blake Swihart.

Diaz (elbow) confirmed Saturday that he will not require surgery, Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune reports. "I was worried before, but not now. I don't need surgery, just rest and treatment," said Diaz.

The 25-year-old catching prospect was put on the shelf earlier this week when he began experiencing elbow discomfort. Fortunately, the following reports have been largely positive, and Diaz confirmed Saturday that surgery can be taken out of the equation. Still, the Pirates are set at catcher at the major league level for now, so Diaz will likely start the year at Triple-A once his elbow discomfort subsides.

Grandal (forearm) will likely start the season on the disabled list, Andy McCullough of the Los Angeles Times reports.

While there is still hope that Grandal won't miss too much time once the season gets underway, his forearm injury will still likely land him on the disabled list to start the year. Grandal will be held out of baseball activities through at least the weekend and the expectation is for him to test out his forearm Monday. A.J Ellis figures to be the Dodgers' primary catcher with Grandal sidelined while Austin Barnes could serve as the backup for the time being.

Moore was reassigned to minor league camp Saturday, Ryan Lewis of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

The Indians are set at catcher at the big league level with Yan Gomes and Roberto Perez, so Moore will head down to the minors and provide organizational depth at the position. He hit .429 with two doubles in 14 at-bats this spring.