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  • Angels' Logan O'Hoppe: Aims for 125-to-135 catcher starts

    Angels manager Ron Washington said Thursday that he's hoping to have O'Hoppe make 125-to-135 starts at catcher this season, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

    It's a rough estimate by the skipper, and O'Hoppe could potentially make some additional starts at designated hitter. The 24-year-old backstop missed nearly four months with a torn labrum in his left shoulder last season but offered plenty of thump when in the lineup with 14 homers in just 51 games. Nine of those 14 longballs came in September. If he can stay healthy in 2024, O'Hoppe offers breakout potential.

  • Orioles' Samuel Basallo: Takes BP

    Basallo (elbow) took on-field batting practice Thursday, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.

    Basallo doesn't look poised to take part in Grapefruit League games anytime soon, but the 19-year-old backstop is seemingly coming along well in his recovery from a stress fracture in his right elbow. In addition to taking part in batting practice, Basallo has already been able to do some throwing during camp. He's expected to open the season at Double-A Bowie, though he may be in store for a brief stint on the 7-day injured list to begin the campaign.

  • Rays' Francisco Mejia: Headed back to Tampa Bay

    Mejia signed a minor-league contract with the Rays on Thursday that includes an invitation to spring training, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

    Mejia was abruptly released by the Angels over the weekend but has quickly found new work in a familiar spot. Topkin notes that Alex Jackson is still expected to be Rene Pinto's backup, but Mejia will provide depth at catcher and is already familiar with much of the pitching staff.

  • Connor Wong C | BOS

    Red Sox's Connor Wong: To return to catching Saturday

    Wong (elbow) will start at catcher in Saturday's Grapefruit League contest versus the Nationals, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.

    Wong has been limited to designated hitter duties so far while tending to a right elbow issue, but he appears to have put that behind him. The 27-year-old is in line to receive the bulk of the starts at catcher for Boston this season.

  • Cal Raleigh C | SEA

    Mariners' Cal Raleigh: Belts homer in Cactus League loss

    Raleigh went 1-for-2 with a three-run home run in the Mariners' Cactus League loss to the Royals on Wednesday.

    Raleigh connected off Chris Stratton with Nick Solak and Alberto Rodriguez aboard in the third inning to extend the Mariners' lead to 4-0 at the time. The slugging backstop has belted 57 homers over the last two seasons, and he'll once again be counted on as a primary power source in Seattle's lineup while logging the majority of the time behind the dish. Mitch Garver, signed by the Mariners in the offseason, is expected to serve as the designated hitter almost exclusively.

  • Alex Jackson C | MIN

    Rays' Alex Jackson: Healthy for spring training

    Jackson (shoulder) will start at catcher and bat seventh in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Blue Jays, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

    Jackson will pick up his second start behind the dish this spring after he went 1-for-2 with a base hit while catching four innings against the Tigers on Sunday. After being acquired in a trade from the Brewers on Aug. 1, Jackson appeared in 14 games at Triple-A Durham before being shut down for the final month of the season due to a right shoulder injury. Now healthy again and attending big-league camp as a non-roster invitee, Jackson will look to win a spot on the Rays' Opening Day roster as a reserve backstop.

  • Jose Trevino C | CIN

    Yankees' Jose Trevino: Could be ready for games soon

    Trevino (calf) has been catching live batting practices and bullpen sessions and could be cleared for games soon, Greg Joyce of the New York Post reports.

    Trevino ramped up his activities Tuesday and is slated to continue upping the progression for the rest of this week. If he gets through that with no issues, it sounds like he'll be cleared for Grapefruit League contests at that point. Trevino has been slowed by a calf strain he suffered before camp opened.

  • Bo Naylor C | CLE

    Guardians' Bo Naylor: Scratched Monday with back spasms

    Naylor has been scratched from the lineup for Monday's Cactus League game against the Padres due to back spasms, Paul Hoynes of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

    Naylor had been slated to serve as the Guardians' designated hitter Monday but will be replaced by Dom Nunez. At this point, it's not clear whether the back issue is a day-to-day situation or potentially something more. Naylor is projected to serve as Cleveland's primary catcher in 2024.

  • Connor Wong C | BOS

    Red Sox's Connor Wong: Delivers as DH

    Wong (elbow) went 2-for-3 with a double and two RBI as the designated hitter in Sunday's spring game against Atlanta.

    Wong is being held back from catching chores for a few games, but the injury doesn't prevent him from swinging a bat. He did play catch Sunday and is expected to throw to bases by midweek. Once the arm strength is built up, Wong will resume duties behind the plate.

  • Connor Wong C | BOS

    Red Sox's Connor Wong: Ready to hit

    Wong (elbow) is batting eighth as the designated hitter for Sunday's spring game against Atlanta.

    The 27-year-old catcher is a bit behind schedule with his throwing program early in camp due to elbow soreness, but the injury won't prevent him from receiving his game reps at the plate. Wong's ability to hit through the injury is encouraging, though he shouldn't be considered fully healthy until cleared to work behind the plate.

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