MLB Player News

Naylor has been scratched from the lineup for Monday's Cactus League game against the Padres due to back spasms, Paul Hoynes of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Naylor had been slated to serve as the Guardians' designated hitter Monday but will be replaced by Dom Nunez. At this point, it's not clear whether the back issue is a day-to-day situation or potentially something more. Naylor is projected to serve as Cleveland's primary catcher in 2024.

Wong (elbow) went 2-for-3 with a double and two RBI as the designated hitter in Sunday's spring game against Atlanta.

Wong is being held back from catching chores for a few games, but the injury doesn't prevent him from swinging a bat. He did play catch Sunday and is expected to throw to bases by midweek. Once the arm strength is built up, Wong will resume duties behind the plate.

The Angels released Mejia on Sunday, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

Mejia joined the Angels on a minor-league contract in December after slashing .227/.258/.400 with five home runs and 19 RBI over 160 plate appearances with the Rays last season. He was set to compete with Matt Thaiss for the backup catcher spot, but now Mejia will be on the lookout for a new team for the 2024 season.

Gallagher signed a minor-league contract with the Phillies on Sunday that includes an invitation to major-league camp, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Rafael Marchan (back) is a bit banged up early in camp, so the Phillies elected to bring aboard Gallagher for some extra catching depth. Gallagher appeared in 56 games for Cleveland last season but was awful at the plate with a .126/.154/.168 slash line and 30.9 percent strikeout rate.

Wong (elbow) is batting eighth as the designated hitter for Sunday's spring game against Atlanta.

The 27-year-old catcher is a bit behind schedule with his throwing program early in camp due to elbow soreness, but the injury won't prevent him from receiving his game reps at the plate. Wong's ability to hit through the injury is encouraging, though he shouldn't be considered fully healthy until cleared to work behind the plate.

Marchan is battling through some lower-back discomfort, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

It looks to be a day-to-day issue. Marchan is third on the Phillies' catching depth chart and has an option year remaining, so he's slated to open the year at Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

Manager Alex Cora said Friday that Wong will be brought along slowly early in camp due to elbow soreness, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.

Wong's availability for the start of the regular season isn't likely to be affected by the injury, but he'll be eased into spring training. The 27-year-old had a .673 OPS in 126 contests last season and is expected to open 2024 as Boston's primary backstop.

Basallo (elbow) did some throwing Friday, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.

Working his way back from a right elbow stress fracture, Basallo will be limited to designated hitter duty this spring and won't be cleared to catch until April. The 19-year-old top prospect will likely begin the season at Double-A Bowie.

Nola was released by the Brewers and signed a major-league deal with the Royals on Thursday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

Nola was in camp with the Brewers on a minor-league deal, but he became expendable after the team added Gary Sanchez. He was released as a result but quickly found a new deal with the Royals, where he's likely to compete for the backup catcher role with Freddy Fermin (finger). Across 154 plate appearances with the Padres in 2023, Nola posted a .146/.260/.192 line.

Sanchez suffered a hand injury during a workout several weeks ago, which was the reason for the hold up with his contract, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

It was originally believed that Sanchez's right wrist -- which he fractured in September -- was what delayed the finalization of his deal with the Brewers. The 31-year-old backstop has already been cleared for baseball activities, so his hand (and wrist) shouldn't prevent him from seeing playing time during spring training, but it may be something to monitor going forward.