MLB Player News

Gomes ended his Cactus League campaign with an impressive .370/.426/.696 slash line over 54 plate appearances in 18 games.

Across the board, Gomes' spring numbers were some of the best among his teammates with 40-plus at-bats. The Tribe's top catcher has a history of impressive Cactus League seasons, so his performance doesn't justify inflating his stock prior to Opening Day. On the other hand, Gomes -- who's deservedly earned the "injury-prone" tag over his five years in MLB -- certainly looked healthy in March, and he appears ready to rebound from last season's career-worst .167 batting average.

Nicholas was placed on the 10-day disabled list Saturday, Stefan Stevenson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

Nicholas was expected to miss time to start the season after he underwent surgery earlier in March for a torn meniscus in his left knee, so the move was more procedural. He'll serve as organizational depth when he returns.

McCann is dealing with a left hand contusion after being hit by a pitch Saturday, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

McCann was replaced after being plunked on the wrist, though post-game X-rays revealed there was no structural damage to the wrist, which is good news. Manager Brad Ausmus is expecting McCann to be in the Opening Day lineup, according to Anthony Feneche of the Detroit Free Press. If the 26-year-old is unavailable Monday, Alex Avila would start behind the dish.

McCann has a wrap on his left hand after being hit by a pitch Saturday and leaving the game, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

The timing of this is unfortunate for McCann and the Tigers with Opening Day set for Monday. McCann was hit on his left hand in his first at-bat Saturday and was pulled from the game and replaced by a pinch runner. Woodbery adds that manager Brad Ausmus will provide a further update on McCann's status after Saturday's game. If McCann is unavailable Monday, Alex Avila would draw in behind the plate.

Gosewisch was optioned to Triple-A Tacoma on Friday, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

The 33-year-old was unlikely to beat out Mike Zunino or Carlos Ruiz for a roster spot from the get-go, but his .473 OPS during Cactus League play ultimately sealed his fate. Gosewisch will likely spend 2017 as an organizational depth piece.

Higashioka was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Friday.

Higashioka clubbed a pair of home runs with five extra-base hits in 27 spring at-bats and might earn some emergency at-bats should a need open up with the Yankees.

Rodriguez was assigned to Minnesota's minor-league camp.

Rodriguez hasn't appeared in the majors since 2012 as he's had an OPS less than .600 each of the last three years. He'll likely spend the season at Triple-A Rochester.

Higashioka was optioned to the Yankees' minor-league camp Wednesday, Brendan Kuty of the Newark Star-Ledger reports.

Higashioka was third on the depth chart at catcher during spring training, but the Yankees always planned on proceeding with only two backstops heading into Opening Day. That will allow Higashioka to see regular at-bats with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, where he slugged 10 homers in just 160 plate appearances in 2016 upon being promoted from Double-A Trenton midseason.

Maile was optioned to minor-league camp Wednesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Maile, Curt Casali and Mike McKenry were all sent packing from big-league spring training, leaving Jesus Sucre as the No. 2 option behind Derek Norris to begin the 2017 campaign. The 26-year-old Maile fared well during Grapefruit League play (13-for-35) and he could get the call if there is an injury behind the plate while the Rays are still without Wilson Ramos (knee).

Casali was optioned to minor-league camp Wednesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

With both Casali and Luke Maile optioned and Mike McKenry reassigned Wednesday, non-roster invitee Jesus Sucre is now locked in as the backup to Derek Norris to begin the season. Casali went 6-for-31 (.186 average) during spring training after batting .186/.273/.336 over 256 plate appearances last season.