MLB Player News
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Harry Ford C | WAS
Mariners' Harry Ford: Reassigned to minor-league camp
Ford was reassigned to minor-league camp by the Mariners on Monday.
Ford is an ultra-talented 20-year-old catcher considered by most to be the best prospect in the Mariners' system. He went 2-for-4 with three walks in seven plate appearances during Cactus League play while also slugging a couple home runs for Great Britain in the World Baseball Classic. Ford might not wind up sticking at catcher, but Seattle intends to continue grooming at the position for now.
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Carlos Perez C | HOU
Athletics' Carlos Perez: Finds work with Oakland
Perez signed a minor-league contract with the Athletics on Sunday.
The 32-year-old journeyman catcher isn't expected to contend for a long-term spot on the Athletics' 26-man active roster in 2023, but he could be needed for depth behind No. 1 option Shea Langeliers with Manny Pina (wrist) in line to open the season on the injured list. Yohel Pozo likely represents Perez's primary competition for the No. 2 role behind the dish. Perez spent the 2022 season in the Rockies organization and was a standout performer in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League, slashing .254/.341/.524 with 31 home runs and 87 RBI in 522 plate appearances.
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Jake Rogers C | DET
Tigers' Jake Rogers: Re-enters spring lineup
Rogers (elbow) will start at catcher and bat ninth in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Blue Jays.
Rogers exited Friday's game against the Blue Jays after being hit by a pitch in the left elbow, but he avoided any structural damage and was merely nursing some bruising and soreness over the past couple days. With Rogers drawing back into the lineup after resting through the weekend, he'll be in strong position to break camp with the Tigers as the No. 2 catcher behind Eric Haase.
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Mitch Garver DH | SEA
Rangers' Mitch Garver: Catches deGrom
Garver started at catcher and went 0-for-4 in Sunday's spring game against Seattle.
Garver, who missed half the 2022 season due to a forearm injury, caught all nine innings for the first time this spring. For those into reading signs, that Garver was behind the plate for Jacob deGrom's Cactus League debut indicates he will resume playing catcher for Texas after last season's injury limited him to DH duties.
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Reese McGuire C | CHW
Red Sox's Reese McGuire: Batting .231
McGuire went 0-for-3 in Saturday's spring game against the Orioles.
With Connor Wong (hamstring) unlikely to be ready by Opening Day, McGuire and Jorge Alfaro are expected to open the regular season as Boston's catchers. McGuire, who is 6-for-26 (.231) over 11 Grapefruit League games, should be the primary backstop.
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Sam Huff C | BAL
Rangers' Sam Huff: Optioned to Triple-A
Huff was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock by the Rangers on Sunday.
Huff comes up short in his bid to be a bench option for the Rangers to open the season. The 24-year-old isn't long removed from being considered one of the better catching prospects in baseball, and he should get regular at-bats with Round Rock with a chance to help Texas before the end of 2023.
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Alejandro Kirk C | TOR
Blue Jays' Alejandro Kirk: Scratched with illness
Kirk was scratched from Sunday's Grapefruit League lineup against the Rays due to a non-COVID-19 illness.
Kirk was penciled in to start behind the plate and bat cleanup, but an ailment will prevent him from taking the field. The 24-year-old's status for Opening Day shouldn't be affected by the illness, and he'll likely return to the lineup within the next few days.
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Yasmani Grandal C | PIT
White Sox's Yasmani Grandal: Good exhibition season
Grandal has a .902 OPS across 30 plate appearances during Cactus League action.
Grandal is coming off a disastrous 2022 season, during which he slashed just .202/.301/.269 across 376 plate appearances. While it's difficult to make the case for a 34-year-old catcher to bounce back, Grandal has had a promising spring performance that is highlighted by three doubles and a home run. He should head into the season as Chicago's starting backstop.