MLB Player News

The Mets have signed catcher Johnny Monell to a minor-league deal.

Monell spent time with the Orioles and Dodgers last season. He hit .238/.301/.364 over 206 at-bats in Triple-A. 

The Astros have acquired veteran backup catcher Hank Conger from the Angels for fellow catcher Carlos Perez and right-hander pitcher Nick Tropeano.

Conger compiled a .221/.293/.325 stat line in 2014 with four home runs and 25 RBI.

The Blue Jays have exercised the 2015 options on pitcher J.A. Happ and catcher Josh Thole, Sportsnet.ca reports.

Happ will earn $6.7 million in 2015 as the team opted to retain him rather than pay a $200,000 buyout. Thole is set to make $1.75 million next season.

Royals catcher Salvador Perez went 1 for 3 with a solo home run in his team's 7-1 loss to the Giants in Game 1 of the World Series Tuesday.

Perez struck the only blow the Royals could manage on offense, finally getting a run off Giants starter Madison Bumgarner after he allowed only two hits through six scoreless innings. By the time of Perez's bomb, the Royals were dug in a hole from which they couldn't escape. It's a rare sign of life from the catcher's bat, as he's hit just .135/.158/.216 in 37 postseason at-bats despite the Royals racking up win after win in the first three rounds.

The Mets announced catcher Travis d'Arnaud will rehab 6-8 weeks following surgery Tuesday to have a bone chip removed from his elbow, according to the New York Post.

Pirates third baseman Pedro Alvarez (foot) and catcher Chris Stewart (wrist) are not in the starting lineup for Wednesday's wild-card game against the Giants. Alvarez hasn't played since Sept. 5, while Stewart sits in favor of regular starter Russell Martin.

Mets catcher Travis d'Arnaud had successful surgery Wednesday to remove a bone spur from his right elbow, a source told the New York Daily News.

In an end-of-the-year press conference, Red Sox manager John Farrell told reporters he's "very comfortable" with having Christian Vasquez as the team's everyday catcher next season, according to the Providence Journal.

The rookie catcher appeared in 55 games this season, splitting his duties with David Ross behind the plate. He slashed .240/.308/.309 with one home run and 20 RBI over 175 at-bats.

Pirates catcher Chris Stewart suffered a wrist injury in Sunday's 4-1 loss to the Reds after going 2 for 3 at the plate, but X-rays on the injured wrist came back negative, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Stewart indicated that the wrist was stiff and sore after the game. His availability for Wednesday's Wild Card matchup is in doubt, and regular starting catcher Russell Martin is also banged up.

Reds catcher Devin Mesoraco is in the lineup and batting cleanup in Saturday's matchup with the Pirates.

Mesoraco was given the night off Friday as he deals with an intercostal strain, but he's coming back one day later as expected. The catcher has hit .276/.360/.541 with 25 home runs and 78 RBI in 377 at-bats.