MLB Player News
-
Brian Serven C | ATH
Blue Jays' Brian Serven: Added to roster
The Blue Jays selected Serven's contract from Triple-A Buffalo on Thursday, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.
Serven will be the Jays' backup catcher while Danny Jansen (wrist) is sidelined to begin the season. He's a career .195/.248/.314 hitter in the majors and should see occasional action behind starter Alejandro Kirk.
-
Carson Kelly C | CHC
Tigers' Carson Kelly: Could see time at DH
Kelly could see some time at DH this year on days when Jake Rogers starts behind the plate, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.
Kelly was already expected to see a sizable role as the backup catcher, and time at DH would boost his prospects further. Rogers should still play more frequently, though Kelly will be involved it seems, particularly against left-handed pitchers, as he posted an .801 OPS against southpaws last season. His value would increase if Rogers were to deal with an injury at any point.
-
Jake Rogers C | DET
Tigers' Jake Rogers: Could see time at DH
Rogers could see some time at DH this year on days that Carson Kelly starts behind the plate, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.
With Detroit only carrying two catchers on the roster, conventional wisdom would suggest that one of Rogers or Kelly would always be on the bench to provide depth if needed. However, manager A.J. Hinch suggested that both backstops could play at the same time, particularly against left-handed pitchers. This would be a boon for Rogers, who is expected to cede a decent amount of playing time to Kelly behind the dish.
-
Austin Wells C | NYY
Yankees' Austin Wells: Bypassed for Opening Day start
Wells won't be included in the Yankees' Opening Day lineup, with manager Aaron Boone relaying that Jose Trevino will receive the nod behind the plate in Thursday's game against the Astros, Brendan Kuty of The Athletic reports.
The lefty-hitting Wells will hit the bench for the season opener, which doesn't come as a major surprise with the righty-hitting Trevino having the platoon advantage in his favor against Astros southpaw Framber Valdez. Though Wells offers a higher-upside bat than Trevino, concerns about the former's defense behind the plate could prompt Boone to take a timeshare approach to the catcher spot when New York faces right-handed pitchers, at least to begin the season.
-
Jose Trevino C | CIN
Yankees' Jose Trevino: Slated for Opening Day start
Trevino will start behind the plate against the Astros on Thursday, Brendan Kuty of The Athletic reports.
While some fantasy managers are excited about the offensive upside of Austin Wells, it will be Trevino behind the plate for the opener in Houston. Trevino is lauded for his work with the pitching staff, and that appears to have given him a slight leg up to begin the season, though it projects to be a fairly even playing-time split in the end with the 24-year-old Wells seeing a good share of the starts against righties. Trevino will be looking for his first career hit against Thursday's starter for the Astros, Framber Valdez (0-for-9 lifetime against the lefty).
-
Alex Jackson C | MIN
Rays' Alex Jackson: Misses out on Opening Day roster
The Rays will reassign Jackson to the minors prior to Thursday's season opener versus the Blue Jays, Steve Carney of StPeteNine.com reports.
Among the internal options the Rays had at spring training, Jackson appeared well positioned to make the Opening Day roster as the No. 2 catcher behind Rene Pinto, but Jackson dropped a spot on the organizational depth chart after Tampa Bay acquired Ben Rortvedt from the Yankees on Wednesday. Unless he opts out of his minor-league deal, Jackson is expected to open the season as the primary backstop for Triple-A Durham.
-
Ben Rortvedt C | NYM
Rays' Ben Rortvedt: Lands in Tampa Bay
The Rays acquired Rortvedt from the Yankees on Wednesday in a three-team trade involving the Marlins, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.
Rortvedt is out of options and wasn't going to make the Yankees' Opening Day roster. In Tampa Bay, he'll take over as the backup catcher behind Rene Pinto. Rortvedt isn't much of a hitter with just a .489 OPS over 71 games in the majors, but he will bring a good defensive reputation to the Rays.
-
Ben Rortvedt C | NYM
Yankees' Ben Rortvedt: In mix for roster spot
Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Monday that Rortvedt could make the Opening Day roster, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.
In order for Rortvedt to break camp with the big club, the Yankees would almost certainly need to decide to carry three catchers, as Jose Trevino and Austin Wells are locked in as the top two backstop options. Rortvedt got into 15 games this spring and slashed .231/.375/.269 with one extra-base hit (a double), but the primary reason why he may have a chance of sticking on the roster is that he is out of minor-league options. Even if he does make the cut for Opening Day, Rortvedt isn't likely to see much playing time.
-
Austin Wells C | NYY
Yankees' Austin Wells: Makes Opening Day roster
Manager Aaron Boone said Monday that Wells has made the Yankees' Opening Day roster, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.
The focus for Wells heading into spring training was getting reps behind the plate and showcasing better defense. In addition to doing those things, Wells has also been efficient at the plate, slashing .300/.391/.550 with two home runs and nine RBI over 40 at-bats in spring training. The 25-year-old will begin 2024 as the secondary backstop behind Jose Trevino, with Ben Rortvedt and Jahmai Jones battling it out for a roster spot.