MLB Player News
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Connor Wong C | BOS
Red Sox's Connor Wong: Getting more time over McGuire
Wong will start at catcher and bat ninth in Sunday's game against the Tigers, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.
Though he appeared to be in the short side of a platoon at catcher with the lefty-hitting Reese McGuire to begin the season, Wong seems to have at least temporarily emerged as the Red Sox's preferred backstop against both right- and left-handed pitching. Wong will be starting again with the Tigers bringing a lefty (Matthew Boyd) to the hill for the second straight day, but the 26-year-old catcher also started over McGuire on two of the last four occasions Boston opposed right-handed pitchers. Wong is hitting just .125/.176/.188 through 17 plate appearances, but he seems to be earning extra time on the basis of McGuire's inability to control the run game. Despite logging only 36 innings behind the dish this season, McGuire has allowed a league-leading 14 stolen bases and hasn't thrown out a would-be base stealer.
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Reese McGuire C | CHW
Red Sox's Reese McGuire: Losing time to Connor Wong
McGuire is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Tigers, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.
The lefty-hitting McGuire will sit for the fifth time in seven games, with three absences coming against lefty pitchers and two coming against righties. McGuire has posted an .819 OPS over a small sample of 14 plate appearances, but his inability to control the run game appears to be the major reason why manager Alex Cora has favored Connor Wong as Boston's top backstop. Despite being behind the plate just 36 innings on the season, McGuire has allowed an MLB-leading 14 steals and has yet to throw out a baserunner.
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James McCann C | ARI
Orioles' James McCann: Back from IL
The Orioles reinstated McCann (oblique) from the 10-day injured list Sunday.
McCann spent just over the minimum 10 days on the shelf due to the left oblique strain he suffered back on March 20 in the latter stages of spring training. He'll settle in as the primary backup to standout catcher Adley Rutschman, though McCann doesn't project to play more than a couple times per week. The Orioles also have a third catcher (Anthony Bemboom) on the 26-man active roster for the moment, as Baltimore chose to option outfielder Kyle Stowers to the minors to make room for McCann.
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Salvador Perez C | KC
Royals' Salvador Perez: Ties game with three-run homer
Perez went 1-for-3 with a three-run home run in Saturday's 6-5 victory over the Giants.
Perez turned a 5-2 deficit into a 5-5 game with a three-run homer off Ross Stripling in the eighth inning. The backstop has shown off his impressive power to start the year with two homers along with a .533 slugging percentage over 30 at-bats in eight games. As long as he's able to stay on the field, there's no reason to think Perez won't continue to be a supplier of long balls in 2023.
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James McCann C | ARI
Orioles' James McCann: Could return Sunday
McCann (oblique) will catch Saturday for High-A Aberdeen and could return to the Orioles on Sunday, Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports reports.
McCann begin his rehab assignment with Aberdeen on Friday and singled twice. The backup backstop has been on the shelf since the start of the year with his oblique strain, and even if he doesn't return Sunday, he should be back with the club early in the next week if there are no setbacks.
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Christian Bethancourt C | CHC
Rays' Christian Bethancourt: Not starting Saturday
Bethancourt is out of the lineup for Saturday's game versus Oakland, Kristie Ackert of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
The 31-year-old and Francisco Mejia have alternated starts every game this season, and Mejia will get the nod Saturday after Bethancourt went 1-for-3 with a solo home run, a walk and an additional run scored during Friday's contest. Assuming the trend continues, Bethancourt should be back in the lineup for Sunday's series finale.
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Reese McGuire C | CHW
Red Sox's Reese McGuire: Not in Saturday's lineup
McGeuire is out of the lineup for Saturday's game at Detroit, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.
McGuire is 4-for-13 to begin the season and will continue splitting time behind the plate with Connor Wong. With Wong starting Saturday, each catcher has started four games this season.
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Jake Rogers C | DET
Tigers' Jake Rogers: Starting Saturday
Rogers is starting at catcher and batting ninth in Saturday's game against the Red Sox.
Rogers takes over as the backstop with Eric Haase getting the day off. The former already has two home runs in just 12 at-bats this season, so it makes sense that the Tigers are looking to get his bat in the lineup more frequently. Moving forward, Haase can also play in left field, so Rogers may be able to secure more regular playing time at catcher if he keeps hitting well.
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Eric Haase C | SF
Tigers' Eric Haase: Day off Saturday
Haase is out of the lineup for Saturday's game against the Red Sox.
Haase started the past four games -- two at catcher, two in left field -- and will receive a breather Saturday after starting the year 3-for-23 with eight strikeouts. Jake Rogers has clubbed two early home runs and will take over behind the plate.
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Shea Langeliers C | ATH
Athletics' Shea Langeliers: Belts first homer
Langeliers went 2-for-3 with a solo home run, a walk and an additional run in a loss to the Rays on Friday.
The young backstop unleashed a monstrous 440-foot shot to left field in the seventh inning for his first homer of the season. After opening the campaign hitless over his first seven plate appearances, Langeliers has hit safely in four straight games, going 6-for-16 with Friday's homer and walk and three total runs.