MLB Player News

Grandal (arm) went 1-for-2 with a home run in Friday's spring training loss to Arizona. He's hitting .417 (5-for-12) in six games this spring.

Grandal missed some time earlier in the week with a right arm contusion. He's returning from offseason shoulder surgery, but looks set to be ready for Opening Day.

Contreras was optioned to Triple-A Iowa on Friday.

In 13 games with the major league club this spring, Contreras recorded five hits, including three doubles, and walked four times without striking out. If Miguel Montero goes down at any point this season, we could see Contreras called up to take on a prominent role behind the plate.

Murphy was reassigned to minor league camp Friday, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Murphy is expected to land at Triple-A Albuquerque, where he'll see regular at-bats with an opportunity to learn the pitching staff. The 24-year-old had an 11-game cup of coffee with the Rockies last season, but he played primarily at the Double and Triple-A levels.

Mesoraco (hip) hit a two-run home run off the Indians' Danny Salazar in his spring debut Thursday.

As manager Bryan Price said would be the case, Mesoraco started with a light workload in his debut, catching two innings. He will gradually build up to nine innings and then back-to-backs over the remainder of spring training. The 27-year-old certainly made the most of his lone at-bat Thursday, but the bat hasn't been in question. The question is if his hip and lower-body can hold up to the rigors of the catcher position.

Realmuto is off to a solid start at the dish during Grapefruit League play, batting .316 (6-for-19) with two walks, a double and two RBI over eight games.

Locked in as the Marlins' starting backstop, Realmuto will look to take a step forward from the respectable .259/.290/.406 line he posted over 126 as a rookie. He knocked 10 home runs in limited time last year and also chipped in eight steals. Given that he posted double digit stolen base totals in three of his four full minor league seasons (2011-2014), Realmuto offers a under-the-radar blend of power and speed at his position.

Sanchez is just 1-for-14 so far in spring training.

Following the offseason trade of John Ryan Murphy, Sanchez looked to be in good position to make the Opening Day roster as the club's backup catcher. The 23-year-old has struggled thus far in the spring though -- while his competition for the spot, Austin Romine, is hitting .294 -- so it's hardly a guarantee he'll begin the year in the majors. He's hit well at the upper levels of the minors though, so he should see time in the big leagues in 2016 even if he begins the year back at Triple-A.

Gonzalez was optioned to minor league camp Thursday.

Despite losing Max Stassi (wrist) to injury for the first month of the season, the Astros were never considering Gonzalez -- who lacks experience above Double-A -- to be their No. 2 catcher behind Jason Castro. He'll likely return to Corpus Christi or report to Triple-A Fresno to open 2016.

Besides starter Jason Castro, Gonzalez is the only other healthy catcher on Houston's 40-man roster.

Gonzalez, who is 1-for-5 with a walk through six Grapefruit League appearances, lacks experience above Double-A and is unlikely to be the No. 2 catcher behind Castro on Opening Day. With Max Stassi (wrist) set to miss the first month of the season, Houston will explore the catcher trade market to fill the backup role, or possibly use Evan Gattis (sports hernia) as a short-term solution if healthy.

Mesoraco (hip) will be behind the plate for Thursday's spring game, MLB.com reports. "He'll start with a light workload and build himself up to nine innings, and then back-to-back games," manager Bryan Price said.

The 27-year-old will make his much anticipated return to game action after missing most of last season with a hip injury, and then dealing with a groin ailment early in camp. Mesoraco will need to gradually increase his workload while avoiding any setbacks in order to be ready on Opening Day. Tucker Barnhart is the primary backup entering 2016.

Stassi had surgery on his left wrist to fix a hook of the hamate fracture and will be out six weeks, Jose de Jesus Ortiz of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Stassi was the favorite to open 2016 as the No. 2 catcher behind starter Jason Castro, but the Astros will be forced to look on the waiver wire or trade market for a replacement. Alfredo Gonzalez is the only other catcher on Houston's 40-man roster, but he has yet to play above Double-A. Evan Gattis (sports hernia) has experience behind the plate, but he's rehabbing from injury and isn't a strong defender.