MLB Player News

Jansen was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo on Tuesday, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Jansen is a promising catching prospect, though he was always unlikely to open the season with the big-league club. Still just 22, he hit well at the three highest levels of the minors last season (a combined .323/.400/.484 in 104 games) but only has 21 games at Triple-A. With strong performances in his return to Buffalo this season, Jansen could make his major-league debut later this year.

Nicholas cleared waivers and will return to the Rangers as a non-roster invitee, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Nicholas was waived when the Rangers signed Tim Lincecum. The 29-year-old can continue to compete for the team's backup catcher job as a non-roster invitee, though he's likely behind Juan Centeno, who remains on the 40-man roster. Nicholas figures to return to Triple-A and wait for an injury to Centeno or starting catcher Robinson Chirinos. He hit .311/.353/.469 for Round Rock last season.

The Tigers reassigned Rogers to their minor-league camp Tuesday.

Considered one of the best defensive backstops in the minor leagues, Rogers' prowess behind the plate could allow him to reach the majors quicker than most catching prospects, but he doesn't offer many exciting tools from a fantasy standpoint. He at least held his own at the plate while splitting time between the Low-A and High-A levels in 2017, batting .261/.350/.467 with 18 home runs and 14 steals. That could be enough for the Tigers to feel comfortable assigning the 22-year-old to Double-A Erie to begin the campaign.

Perez is hitting .364 with three home runs, four strikeouts and one walk in 22 spring at-bats.

Perez is showing off some thump so far as the cleanup hitter, which could be a preview of a potential career year, not because of what he's doing this spring, but because of where he figures to hit in the Royals' lineup. The bulk of his at-bats came out of the five hole last year when Perez hit a career-high 27 home runs. If he brings that same level of power and can stay relatively healthy in his age 27/28 season, he could set career highs in runs and RBI with a regular spot in the four hole.

Mejia will receive some time in the outfield in minor-league camp and early in the season, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

The Indians still view Mejia as a catcher, but his bat is considered to be far more advanced than his glove. The team likes the defense of its current catcher tandem, Yan Gomes and Roberto Perez, and they're quite set at designated hitter with Edwin Encarnacion. They experimented with him at third base but did not like what they saw. Outfield could be his best route to the big leagues, as the team's corner outfielders have been hampered by injuries throughout the last two seasons.

Mejia was optioned to Triple-A Columbus on Monday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

This isn't all too surprising, as Mejia has never been to Triple-A and was expected to open the season there with Yan Gomes and Roberto Perez ahead of him on the major-league depth chart. The 22-year-old prospect could earn a promotion to the majors at some point this season if either Gomes or Perez were to go down with an injury.

Moore will be sidelined for 5-to-6 days after suffering a left thumb injury, Marc Topkin of The Tampa Bay Times reports.

Moore is in big-league camp as a non-roster invitee and is likely to begin the year at the Triple-A level after signing with the organization last month. He should return to game action around the end of next week.

Mejia (foot) is in the lineup Friday against the Rockies.

Mejia is batting sixth as a designated hitter. He has been out since Tuesday with a foot contusion after getting hit by a pitch. He should be fully recovered by the start of the season, though it's likely that he starts the year with Triple-A Columbus.

Garver (knee) is 0-for-3 with a walk and a run scored in two games since returning from injury.

The catching prospect broke out with 17 homers and a .928 OPS at Triple-A Rochester last year. He's been slow out of the gate this spring (1-for-11 with a home run), but hopefully he can get back on track now that he's healthy again. Garver is expected to start the season as Jason Castro's backup behind the plate.

Stassi appears ahead of Tim Federowicz in the battle for the Astros' third catcher job, for now, Hunter Atkins of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Manager A.J. Hinch is calling it a "fierce battle" for the third catcher spot. Stassi is out of options, and the Astros seem happy with his improved athleticism and work with the starting staff in camp, but they are not guaranteeing him anything. Last year, Stassi was passed over for Juan Centeno when the Astros needed to call up a catcher, but Stassi hit .338/.430/.613 against lefties at Triple-A and would make for a logical replacement for Brian McCann behind the plate against southpaws, with Evan Gattis at DH.