MLB Player News
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Tom Murphy C | SF
Mariners' Tom Murphy: Solid early in spring training
Murphy went 3-for-3 with a solo home run in Friday's Cactus League win over the Diamondbacks.
Murphy is reacclimating after seeing his 2022 season end in June due to shoulder surgery, and Friday's breakout performance against the Diamondbacks might be considered his official welcome back party after a quiet first three games at the plate. Shannon Drayer of 710 ESPN Seattle reports Mariners starting pitcher Marco Gonzales, who had Murphy as his battery mate for the first time since last season Friday, is especially excited about getting back what he considers a valuable resource. "He's just an energy source in our dugout," said Gonzales. "He's able to kind of pull the mask down and be really serious, too, which is good. So he knows what I need to do to be successful. And I think even sometimes better than I myself do, and so to have that voice out there is just priceless for me."
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Jake Rogers C | DET
Tigers' Jake Rogers: Hits second spring home run
Rogers went 1-for-2 with a walk and a solo home run in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies.
Rogers has gotten off to a strong start to the spring with two home runs across four games. The 27-year-old missed the entire 2022 season while rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, though he appears healthy to begin the 2023 campaign. Rogers seems likely to emerge as the backup catcher behind Eric Haase.
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Salvador Perez C | KC
Royals' Salvador Perez: Homer and steal Thursday
Perez went 2-for-3 with a home run, three RBI and a stolen base in Thursday's Cactus League win over the Angels.
Perez showed off an unforeseen power and speed combination Thursday, though he shouldn't be expected to run much when the regular season starts. The catcher has never attempted more than two steals in a season, and he has just six stolen bases in his career. He'll be looking to bounce back in the power department after slugging a three-year low .465 with 23 homers and 23 doubles in 114 contests in 2022. Perez should see the bulk of the playing time behind the dish with MJ Melendez spelling him at times, though the veteran could often serve as the designated hitter when he's not catching.
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Connor Wong C | BOS
Red Sox's Connor Wong: Has Grade 1 hamstring strain
Wong has been diagnosed with a Grade 1 left hamstring strain, Julian McWilliams of The Boston Globe reports.
It's the least severe strain he could have suffered, which is obviously good news. There's no timetable for Wong's return, however, and at this point on the calendar there would seem to be a pretty good chance he'll need an injured list stint. Non-roster invitee Jorge Alfaro seems like a lock for the roster now, if he wasn't already.
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Connor Wong C | BOS
Red Sox's Connor Wong: Suffers hamstring injury
Wong had to exit Thursday's Grapefruit League game versus the Phillies with a left hamstring injury, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.
Red Sox manager Alex Cora said after the game of Wong's injury that "it doesn't look great right now but hopefully we get better news tomorrow morning." It sounds like this could lead to an injured list stint to begin the season for Wong, which would officially open the door for non-roster invitee Jorge Alfaro to make the team as Reese McGuire's backup.
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Alejandro Kirk C | TOR
Blue Jays' Alejandro Kirk: Expected in games next week
Kirk (personal) arrived to Blue Jays camp Thursday and is expected to be ready for game action during the second half of next week, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.
Kirk was away from the team while awaiting the birth of his child but has now joined the team. He had been working out on his own while at home in California, though, so the Blue Jays expect him to get back up to speed quickly and be ready in plenty of time ahead of Opening Day.
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Sam Huff C | BAL
Rangers' Sam Huff: Unconcerned about injury
Huff said Thursday that the right shoulder injury which forced him to exit Wednesday's Cactus League game against the Padres felt more like a cramp, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.
Huff's removal from the contest was initially attributed to right shoulder tightness, but if the injury is more in the vein of a cramp, he'll likely be ready to play in a few days. The 25-year-old is projected to begin the season in the minors unless the Rangers wind up carrying three catchers on the Opening Day roster.
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Sam Huff C | BAL
Rangers' Sam Huff: Leaves with shoulder tightness
Huff left Wednesday's Cactus League game against the Padres with right shoulder tightness, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.
Huff played just one inning before giving way to Cody Freeman in the split-squad contest. The backstop will be re-evaluated on Thursday. Huff has flashed tremendous power in the minors and some brief samples in the majors, but has battled injuries over the past two-plus seasons. Further clarity on his status going forward should be available in the coming days.
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Christian Vazquez C | HOU
Twins' Christian Vazquez: Making second straight start
Vazquez (illness) will serve as the Twins' designated hitter and No. 5 batter in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.
While recovering from an illness, Vazquez wasn't available for the Twins' first three days of Grapefruit League play, but he made his spring debut in Tuesday's 10-7 win over Atlanta, going 0-for-3 while catching four innings. Vazquez apparently checked out fine after the contest, so he'll be back in lineup a day later in a purely offensive role.
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Alejandro Kirk C | TOR
Blue Jays' Alejandro Kirk: Set to join team Thursday
Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Kirk (personal) is expected to report to spring training Thursday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.
Kirk has been away from the team while awaiting the birth of his child. The backstop will have some catching up to do after missing the first few weeks of spring training, but Matheson relayed he's been doing individual work in California while away from the team. Kirk is expected to serve as the Blue Jays' Opening Day backstop, and he should be in store for frequent starts at designated hitter on days when Danny Jansen catches.