MLB Player News
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Tyler Soderstrom C | ATH
Athletics' Tyler Soderstrom: Starts another spring game at catcher
Soderstrom started at catcher in Sunday's spring training loss to the Giants. While it's unlikely that Soderstrom will be the backup catcher in addition to being the starter at first base, manager Mark Kotsay said he could play the position during the regular season, MLB.com reports.
Jhonny Pereda has likely won the backup catcher job behind Shea Langeliers, but it's possible Soderstrom could get enough playing time at catcher to qualify in some fantasy leagues. Soderstrom played just one game at catcher in the majors but logged 21 games at the position in Triple-A in 2024.
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Ryan Jeffers C | MIN
Twins' Ryan Jeffers: Set to split catching duties
Jeffers went 1-for-3 with a double in Saturday's spring training win over Atlanta. He's hitting .290 (9-for-31) this spring.
Jeffers stirred All-Star talk with a hot start to last season, hitting 12 home runs with an .892 OPS though his first 51 games. He faded in the second half though, managing seven home runs with a .632 OPS over his final 47 contests. Expect the Twins to make sure he gets plenty of rest as a result, as the team is expected to split playing time behind the plate between Jeffers and Christian Vazquez.
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Jeferson Morales C | MIN
Twins' Jeferson Morales: Torrid spring continues
Morales is hitting .450 (9-for-20) with a home run this spring after going 1-for-3 in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against Atlanta.
Morales has made a strong impression this spring but is a long shot to win an Opening Day roster spot. However, his performance and versatility could make him a candidate for an early-season callup. Morales started Sunday's game in left field but has also played second base and catcher. He hit .290 with a .819 OPS and 10 home runs in 106 games last season between Double-A and Triple-A. He's not a top prospect and will turn 26 this season, but he could be a late bloomer who eventually finds his way to a productive major-league bench role.
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Yainer Diaz C | HOU
Astros' Yainer Diaz: Back in action Sunday
Diaz (illness) is starting behind the plate and batting cleanup in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Mets, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
The 26-year-old has been sidelined the past few days due to an illness but is ready to return to the lineup. Diaz has gone just 4-for-30 through 11 games in spring training, but he also had a .666 OPS last spring before turning in a .299/.325/.441 slash line with 16 homers during the regular season.
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Connor Wong C | BOS
Red Sox's Connor Wong: Rejoins lineup Sunday
Wong (illness) is starting behind the plate and batting sixth in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Twins, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.
Wong was scratched from the lineup Wednesday due to an illness, but he returned to team workouts Saturday and is ready for game action. The 28-year-old will begin the season as Boston's primary catcher after posting a .280/.333/.425 slash line with 13 homers and eight steals in 126 games during 2024.
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Connor Wong C | BOS
Red Sox's Connor Wong: Returning to team Saturday
Wong (illness) is expected to return to camp Saturday, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.
Wong, who was scratched from Wednesday's lineup, is feeling better and will rejoin the club. He'll likely need a few days before appearing in a Grapefruit League game.
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Ben Rice C | NYY
Yankees' Ben Rice: Belts second spring long ball
Rice went 2-for-2 with a two-run home run against the Phillies in a Grapefruit League victory Friday.
Rice's long ball was a 405-foot shot to right-center field in the first inning. It was the 26-year-old's second homer this spring, and he's added four RBI along with a .212/.278/.394 lash line. Rice is competing for an Opening Day roster spot as a backup to first baseman Paul Goldschmidt. Yankees manager Aaron Boone mentioned last week that Rice could also see time at DH if he makes the roster since Giancarlo Stanton (elbows/calf) isn't going to ready for Opening Day and could miss an extended period.
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J.C. Escarra C | NYY
Yankees' J.C. Escarra: Swinging hot stick in spring play
Escarra went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Friday's Grapefruit League win against the Phillies.
Escarra went deep in the seventh inning, blasting a 386-foot homer to right field. The 30-year-old has stood out this spring, slashing .355/.394/.645 with three homers, seven RBI and only six strikeouts over 33 plate appearances. Escarra thrived with a .930 OPS over 201 plate appearances at Triple-A last season, and he's competing for an Opening Day roster spot as New York's backup catcher behind Austin Wells.
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Matt Thaiss C | TB
White Sox's Matt Thaiss: Hoping to hold off rookies
Thaiss is projected to be on the White Sox's Opening Day roster by Scott Merkin of MLB.com.
Thaiss joined the White Sox this offseason and has had a decent spring, collecting six hits across 19 at-bats while striking out only three times. While much of Chicago's roster lacks standout talent, catcher is the exception with the pair of Kyle Teel and Edgar Quero --both promising prospects -- knocking on the door of the majors. That could ultimately cost Thaiss playing time later in the season, but he appears to still have a decent shot to make the Opening Day roster.
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Edgar Quero C | CHW
White Sox's Edgar Quero: Not seeing any action this spring
Quero has yet to make a start for the White Sox this spring.
Quero came into camp seemingly with a shot to emerge with a spot on the Opening Day roster, but his lack of usage suggests that's not going to happen. The 21-year-old has appeared in eight Cactus League games off the bench this spring, going 4-for-14 with a 2:1 K:BB. Quero appears likely to open the season alongside fellow catching prospect Kyle Teel at Triple-A Charlotte, where the duo would split playing time.