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  • Mitch Garver C | SEA

    Mariners' Mitch Garver: Inks minor-league deal with Seattle

    The Mariners signed Garver to a minor-league contract Wednesday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

    Garver spent the last two seasons with the Mariners serving as the team's backup catcher to Cal Raleigh. Garver will get a chance to reprise that role for the 2026 campaign, and he'll face competition from Jhonny Pereda and Andrew Knizner in spring training. Garver appeared in 87 regular-season games for Seattle in 2025 and slashed .209/.297/.343 with three steals, nine home runs and 30 RBI across 290 plate appearances.

  • Connor Wong C | BOS

    Red Sox's Connor Wong: Set for backup catcher role in 2026

    Wong (hand) took part in live batting practice Monday, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

    Wong reported to camp last week and appears to be fully healthy after he underwent a carpal boss excision procedure on his right hand back on Oct. 9. The hand issue perhaps played a factor in Wong's dramatic drop in production in 2025, when his OPS fell to .500 over his 188 plate appearances after he had posted a .758 OPS the season prior. Carlos Narvaez ended up overtaking Wong on the depth chart, and manager Alex Cora relayed Saturday that Narvaez "earned the right" to be the team's starter heading into 2026, per Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald. Cora added that Wong's solid defense behind the plate should allow him to play more frequently than the typical backup catcher, and the 29-year-old could also be an option to make starts first base when Willson Contreras needs a day off.

  • Royals' Salvador Perez: Looks healthy for spring

    Perez (thumb) took live batting practice during Monday's full-squad workout, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

    Perez had previously injured his thumb during the offseason while playing in the Venezuelan Winter League, but he looks to have made a full recovery prior to reporting to camp last week. The 35-year-old Perez heads into the upcoming campaign with considerable tread on his tires after logging at least 140 starts in four of the past five seasons. However, the Royals made more of an effort to keep him fresh last season by limiting him to 89 starts at catcher, with his other 66 coming at either designated hitter or first base. With young catcher Carter Jensen expected get a full-time look in the majors in 2026, the Royals should be able to continue managing Perez's workload behind the dish while still keeping his bat in the lineup on a near-everyday basis.

  • Tigers' Dillon Dingler: Still limited in throwing program

    The Tigers announced Sunday that Dingler (elbow) is working his way through a throwing progression, but he's taking part in all other baseball activities, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

    After a Gold Glove-winning 2025 campaign, Dingler underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right elbow Jan. 28 and is still working his way back to full strength. While the backstop will need to prove he can throw with his usual velocity and distance in order to avoid a stint on the injured list to open the season, Dingler should be able to pick up at-bats at designated hitter during Grapefruit League games until he's cleared for defensive duties.

  • Red Sox's Carlos Narvaez: Expected to remain starting catcher

    Narvaez (knee) will serve as Boston's starting catcher again in 2026, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

    According to manager Alex Cora, Narvaez's knee was a problem throughout the entire 2025 season. Narvaez was able to avoid the injured list and remained an excellent defensive backstop, but the injury helps explain his offensive downturn in the second half, when he posted a .187/.233/.387 slash line. Following a left knee meniscectomy in October, Narvaez will slot back in as the No. 1 catcher for the Red Sox ahead of Connor Wong.

  • David Fry C | CLE

    Guardians' David Fry: Resumes catching

    Fry will spend the first part of spring training mainly as a catcher, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

    Fry, who was limited to DH and pinch-hitting duties in 2025 following his recovery from Tommy John elbow surgery, will ultimately move around the field for the final weeks of camp. In addition to catching, Fry can play both corner spots in the infield and outfield, giving manager Stephen Vogt flexibility when creating a lineup on any given day. Fry was an All Star in 2024, when he slashed .263/.356/.448 with 14 home runs and 51 RBI in 392 plate appearances over 122 games.

  • Luke Maile C | KC

    Royals' Luke Maile: Not in Royals camp

    Maile is not in Royals camp due to a personal issue, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

    Maile was re-signed last week to a minor-league contract with an invitation to spring training, but he has not reported and is no longer listed on the roster. The Royals are open to Maile rejoining the team if and when he is ready, but his status for now is in flux.

  • Ben Rice 1B | NYY

    Yankees' Ben Rice: Will still get regular reps vs. LHP

    Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Wednesday that Rice will play regularly against lefties in addition to righties this season, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

    The Yankees re-signed Paul Goldschmidt last week, giving Rice a potential roadblock to everyday playing time at first base. However, while Goldschmidt will be given starts against lefty hurlers as a short-side platoon option, Rice is still expected to see plenty of action versus southpaws. Boone also noted that Rice could see a little playing time at catcher on days Goldschmidt starts at first base.

  • Yainer Diaz C | HOU

    Astros' Yainer Diaz: Coming back from foot sprain

    Diaz is behind schedule with his running program after suffering a left foot sprain during the Dominican Winter League, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

    Diaz is participating in other baseball activities and will catch Tatsuya Imai's bullpen session Wednesday, but he's a tad behind with his running. It does not sound like an injury that will sideline Diaz long, but the Astros could hold him out of the first handful of Grapefruit League games just to be safe.

  • Tigers' Dillon Dingler: Recovering from elbow scope

    Dingler will be eased into spring training after undergoing arthroscopic right elbow surgery, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

    It's unclear when exactly Dingler had the operation, but he had a similar surgery two years ago and does not expect to be sidelined for much of camp. Dingler -- who won a Gold Glove in 2025 -- should be fine for Opening Day, but if his recovery lags, Jake Rogers would step in as the Tigers' primary catcher.

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