MLB Player News

Orioles catcher Johnny Monell has cleared waivers and will begin the regular season at Triple-A Norfolk.

Monell reached the majors for the first time last season and managed one hit in eight at-bats.

Royals catcher Salvador Perez is fine after being hit in the head by a curveball Wednesday, according to the Kansas City Star. The trainer described it as "non-concussive" and Perez confirmed that he's OK.

Royals starting catcher Salvador Perez was hit in the head by a pitch in an exhibition game Wednesday, but appears OK, per the Kansas City Star, which further reported he walked off the field under his own power after sitting for a few moments.

Perez emerged as one of the better hitting catchers in the game last season. He batted .292 with 13 home runs and 79 RBI.

Josh Thole batted just .175 last season, but the Blue Jays are not keeping him on their roster in 2014 for his bat. The team has announced that Thole will be the personal catcher for knuckleballer and ace R.A. Dickey.

Thole's batting average has dropped every season since he hit .321 with the Mets in 2009. The Jays, however, want to make certain they have someone to handle the elusive knuckler thrown by Dickey.

The Blue Jays announced Wednesday they will go with a three-man bench to start the season. Catcher Josh Thole, infielder Maicer Izturis and outfielder Moises Sierra will be the team's three reserve players to begin the season.

Orioles catcher Johnny Monell was designated for assignment Monday to clear a spot on the 40-man roster for Stephen Lombardozzi, who was acquired in a trade from Detroit. Monell has played just eight games in the majors, batting .125 (1 for 8) with one RBI and three strikeouts.

The Orioles have optioned catcher Johnny Monell to minor league camp, leaving Steve Clevenger as the lone backup to starter Matt Wieters at that position.

Monell performed well enough at the plate this spring, batting .278 with one home run and six RBI in 18 at-bats. But he was outhit by Clevenger, who boasts the same power numbers with a .545 batting average that tops the Orioles among players with more than three plate appearances.

Indians catcher Yan Gomes turned in his best performance of the spring Tuesday, going 3 for 4 with two home runs, three runs and three RBI in his game against the Giants.

Gomes was just 7 for 30 with three runs and three RBI before smacking his first two home runs of the spring and doubling his RBI and run totals. He's set to take over as the team's regular catcher this season.

The Red Sox announced Monday they optioned pitcher Allen Webster and catcher Christian Vazquez to Triple-A Pawtucket, while also reassigning shortstop Deven Marrero to minor-league camp.

"They're three guys that showed very well," manager John Farrell said. "They are very talented and not that far from big leagues."

The Tigers optioned pitchers Casey Crosby and Melvin Mercedes to Triple-A Toledo and pitcher Jose Valdez and catcher Ramon Cabrera to Double-A Erie Wednesday.

The team also re-assigned catcher James McCann and pitchers Robbie Ray, Duane Below and Drew VerHagen to minor-league camp Wednesday.