MLB Player News

Gomes was out of action Wednesday due to flu-like symptoms, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Gomes should be back by the weekend and this shouldn't be anything that will impact his readiness for the start of the regular season.

McCann has had a good spring and will be the Tigers' Opening Day catcher, as expected.

McCann is hitting .304 with two home runs, seven RBI and a .942 OPS in 23 at bats this spring. He finished 2015 with seven home runs, 41 RBI and a .264/.297/.387 slash line in 401 at bats.

Barring an emergency, Vazquez will open the season at Triple-A where he can work on improving his arm strength, the Boston Globe reports. "We want to do what's right by Christian. If we do that, we're going to do what's right by the Red Sox," manager John Farrell said. "It's a valuable player and we don't want to skip any steps with his return."

Farrell indicated Vazquez's arm is good enough to be in the major leagues, but it's not to the point where it was pre-surgery. One thing is for sure: Vazquez will not linger in the minor leagues. The manner in which he brings the best out of the pitchers and controls the running game will be useful at the major league level.

Maile was optioned to minor league camp Saturday.

The Rays now have three catchers in big-league camp after sending Maile down Saturday. He served primarily as the Rays' catcher at Triple-A Durham last season, batting .207 with five home runs across 89 games. He'll likely see a similar role this season and his issues at the plate make him an unlikely candidate for a call-up barring a rash of injuries at the position.

Gomes is healthy and swinging the bat well this spring after an injury-riddled 2015 season.

Gomes is never going to have a high OBP, but his power potential behind the dish helps separate himself from the crowd and he should have plenty of chances to drive in runs hitting fifth or sixth for the Tribe.

Sanchez is just 1-for-14 so far in spring training.

Following the offseason trade of John Ryan Murphy, Sanchez looked to be in good position to make the Opening Day roster as the club's backup catcher. The 23-year-old has struggled thus far in the spring though -- while his competition for the spot, Austin Romine, is hitting .294 -- so it's hardly a guarantee he'll begin the year in the majors. He's hit well at the upper levels of the minors though, so he should see time in the big leagues in 2016 even if he begins the year back at Triple-A.

Gonzalez was optioned to minor league camp Thursday.

Despite losing Max Stassi (wrist) to injury for the first month of the season, the Astros were never considering Gonzalez -- who lacks experience above Double-A -- to be their No. 2 catcher behind Jason Castro. He'll likely return to Corpus Christi or report to Triple-A Fresno to open 2016.

Besides starter Jason Castro, Gonzalez is the only other healthy catcher on Houston's 40-man roster.

Gonzalez, who is 1-for-5 with a walk through six Grapefruit League appearances, lacks experience above Double-A and is unlikely to be the No. 2 catcher behind Castro on Opening Day. With Max Stassi (wrist) set to miss the first month of the season, Houston will explore the catcher trade market to fill the backup role, or possibly use Evan Gattis (sports hernia) as a short-term solution if healthy.

Stassi had surgery on his left wrist to fix a hook of the hamate fracture and will be out six weeks, Jose de Jesus Ortiz of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Stassi was the favorite to open 2016 as the No. 2 catcher behind starter Jason Castro, but the Astros will be forced to look on the waiver wire or trade market for a replacement. Alfredo Gonzalez is the only other catcher on Houston's 40-man roster, but he has yet to play above Double-A. Evan Gattis (sports hernia) has experience behind the plate, but he's rehabbing from injury and isn't a strong defender.

Stassi will be out until Wednesday as he flies to Houston to have his hand examined, Jose de Jesus Ortiz of the Houston Chronicle reports.

The Astros will keep their fingers crossed that no significant problems are found, but we should learn more in the next few days. Stassi's numbers in spring training haven't exactly impressed so far, as he's 2-for-16 with four strikeouts.