MLB Player News

Jackson has a .325 OPS while striking out seven times across 19 plate appearances in Grapefruit League action.

Jackson entered spring training as the favorite to win the backup catcher job, though his performance to this point hasn't helped his cause. The team has also since added Francisco Mejia on a minor-league deal, so Jackson may no longer be in the picture for a roster spot to begin the regular season.

Wynns is battling shoulder soreness, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Wynns is still able to hit, but the shoulder injury has impacted his ability to play behind the dish. At the moment there is no telling how long Wynns will be out, but his injury could significantly harm his chances at making the Reds' Opening Day roster.

Moreno was scratched from Arizona's Cactus League lineup Thursday due to lower-back tightness, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Manager Torey Lovullo emphasized that Moreno's back is "nothing to be alarmed with," but the D-backs will act with caution nonetheless. Tucker Barnhart will enter to catch Thursday and Friday.

McGuire was scratched from the Red Sox's lineup ahead of Thursday's spring training game against the Phillies due to an illness, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

McGuire will likely sit out the Red Sox's next few games as he recovers from his illness. The 29-year-old is 4-for-18 with a run scored this spring and appears in line to back up Connor Wong behind the dish this season.

D'Arnaud went 1-for-2 with a double, a walk and two runs scored in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Orioles.

The veteran backstop has had a solid start to his spring, batting .333 (5-for-15) through seven games, but Wednesday's double was his first extra-base hit. With Sean Murphy locked into the starting role behind the plate and Marcell Ozuna an everyday designated hitter, d'Arnaud could see his workload decline a bit further this season -- he went from 426 plate appearances in 2022 to 292 in 2023. Atlanta also signed Adam Duvall to bolster its outfield, likely further locking in Ozuna as a DH.

Maile went 3-for-4 with a home run, five RBI and an additional run scored in Wednesday's spring game against San Francisco.

Balls were flying out the park in Scottsdale, as the two teams combined for 10 home runs in a 19-11 victory for the Reds. Maile's grand slam was one of seven homers for Cincinnati. He's on a tear this spring, batting .471 with a 1.432 OPS, including two home runs and nine RBI. Maile is slated to back up Tyler Stephenson at catcher.

Smith was scratched from the lineup Wednesday for the Dodgers' Cactus League game against the Mariners due to low-back tightness, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Smith should be fine to play a week from now when the Dodgers take on the Padres for the first of two games in South Korea to kick off their regular season. The Dodgers felt no need to push Smith to play in their final Cactus League game, so Austin Barnes will handle catching duties Wednesday.

Manager Bob Melvin said Wednesday that Bailey (hand) will be unavailable to play for a few days, Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Bailey avoided any fractures when he took a foul ball off his right hand in Cactus League action Tuesday, but he's dealing with some swelling and discoloration and is unable to make a fist. He'll undergo treatment and will rest a bit before returning to spring games.

Hedges (undisclosed) will start at catcher and bat seventh in Wednesday's Cactus League game against the Cubs.

Hedges was scratched ahead of Monday's game against the Dodgers after colliding with a teammate prior to the contest, but the Guardians removed him from the lineup only as a precautionary matter. With the veteran backstop apparently feeling fine two days later, he'll step back in behind the plate. Hedges is expected to serve as the Guardians' No. 2 catcher this season, with most of his starts likely to come against left-handed pitching when the lefty-hitting Bo Naylor gets days off.

Contreras went 3-for-4 with a double, a home run and four RBI in Tuesday's exhibition contest.

Contreras had been a bit quiet after homering in his first appearance of the spring, but he made all kinds of noise Tuesday and now owns a .976 OPS through 10 spring games. The Brewers brought in fellow backstop Gary Sanchez over the offseason, but he will likely see most of his action at the designated hitter spot while Contreras handles the bulk of the starts behind the plate.