MLB Player News

Manager John Gibbons said Thole will catch most of R.A. Dickey's starts this season, CBC Sports reports.

The 29-year-old catcher has been with the Blue Jays since 2013, but has never played more than 57 games in a year -- he only played 18 in 2015 due to injuries and a backlog at the position. However, because of his ability to catch Dickey's knuckleball, and the rest needed by 33-year-old Russell Martin, Thole may be in line for an increased workload this season. He may be worth a look in daily leagues due to the fact he'll be part of the most potent offense in baseball.

Jackson will be held back in extended spring training this year, Baseball America's J.J. Cooper reports.

Cooper notes that this is relatively unprecedented for a former first round pick. Of the 87 high school outfielders and infielders (catchers weren't taken into account) taken in the top 30 picks from 2001 to 2014, Jackson will be the first healthy, non-suspended player of those 87 to be held back in extended spring training in his second full pro season. The new regime is sending a message that players will have to earn their promotions, after the prior regime was often accused of rushing top prospects through the minors at the expense of their development. While this may appear to push back Jackson's ETA, it is probably a positive for his overall development, and fantasy owners should no longer have to blame the Mariners' organization for the underperformance of highly touted prospects.

Perez will catch and bat seventh Tuesday against the Mets, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

The 2015 World Series MVP, he is expected to shoulder a heavy workload again this season. Perez has averaged over 135 starts per season over the past three years. While Perez doesn't walk much at all (2.4% BB% last season), he makes enough contact to hit at a serviceable clip, and there may still be a little more power left in his bat.

Vazquez (elbow) is scheduled to catch nine innings at Triple-A Pawtucket on Thursday, Scott Lauber of ESPN reports.

Vazquez will take a major step forward in his recovery from Tommy John surgery by catching a full game. That said, it will likely be the first of many games for Vazquez at the minor league level given that he was sidelined for the entirety of last season.

Perez (concussion) has been medically cleared after passing the league's concussion protocols, MLB.com reports.

Perez will be able to open the season as the backup to catcher to Yan Gomes after taking a foul ball off the mask over the weekend.

Perez will start at catcher on Opening Day against the Cubs.

Perez will get the nod instead of Geovany Soto, who is slotted to be the backup catcher in 2016. The 25-year-old will have a tough matchup against reigning NL Cy Young winner Jake Arrieta, so don't expect him to produce much from a fantasy perspective.

Thole is in the lineup against the Rays on Monday.

This is a very interesting move, as Thole has historically received very few at-bats against left-handed pitchers such as Drew Smyly, the Rays' starter Monday. However, this is likely just a day off for everyday catcher Russell Martin, so Thole will probably head back to the bench following this game.

Casali is in the lineup Monday against the Blue Jays, Marc Topkin of The Tampa Bay Times reports.

Casali will get the start against R.A. Dickey after Hank Conger started the Opening Day game. It seems that the catching duo will split time throughout the course of the season.

Perez (concussion) said he's feeling better of late, but is still awaiting MLB clearance, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Perez has been dealing with a concussion since taking a ball off the bask in a spring game, but he played catch and took batting practice Sunday without issue. Expect the backup catcher to gain clearance to return to live action within the next few days.

Perez took a foul tip to the mask in a recent spring training game and may be dealing with a concussion, Ryan Lewis of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

The Indians have made no roster moves yet involving Perez or the other catchers in the organization, but that could happen Monday while the team puts the backstop through the concussion protocol. If Perez is ultimately moved to the 7-day DL, the Indians would likely bring minor leaguer Adam Moore onto the roster to serve as the backup to Yan Gomes.