MLB Player News

The Angels placed Stassi (hip) on the 10-day injured list Wednesday.

As anticipated, Stassi will begin the season on the IL while he recovers from the left hip strain he suffered while appearing in a minor-league spring training game last weekend. The Angels will have room for both Logan O'Hoppe and Matt Thaiss as the catching options on their Opening Day roster, though manager Phil Nevin hasn't specified whether the team will have the two work in a timeshare or have one serve as the primary option in Stassi's stead.

Higashioka slashed .200/.333/.467 with a home run, a double, four RBI and a 3:4 BB:K over 19 Grapefruit League plate appearances.

Higashioka was one of the big stories of spring training in 2022, when he led all players with seven long balls. That performance didn't quite carry over into the regular season, though the backstop did tie his career high with 10 homers over 248 plate appearances. Higashioka is expected to serve as New York's No. 2 catcher behind Jose Trevino this season.

Athletics manager Mark Kotsay said Tuesday that Perez will be included on the team's Opening Day roster, Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Though Perez has been with the organization for less than two weeks after signing a minor-league contract March 19, he'll end up breaking camp with the big club as the No. 2 catcher behind Shea Langeliers while Manny Pina (wrist) opens the season on the injured list. While Langeliers is expected to see the overwhelming share of playing time behind the dish, Perez may bring more fantasy upside to the table than the typical backup catcher. The 32-year-old is coming off back-to-back 31-home run campaigns with the Athletics' Triple-A affiliate in 2021 and the Rockies' Triple-A affiliate in 2022. Expect Oakland to formally add Perez to the 40-man roster and 26-man active roster shortly before Thursday's game against the Angels.

Astros manager Dusty Baker said Tuesday that Diaz has won a spot on the Opening Day roster, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Diaz excelled in the upper minors last season, slashing .306/.356/.542 with 25 home runs and 96 RBI in 105 games between Double-A Corpus Christi and Triple-A Sugar Land. His primary position is catcher, but the 24-year-old has played some corner outfield and first base, and he might also be an option at DH for the reigning World Series champions.

Salazar will be included on the Astros' Opening Day roster, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

With Houston optioning Korey Lee to Triple-A Sugar Land on Tuesday, Yainer Diaz and Salazar will share backup duties behind starting catcher Martin Maldonado. Salazar has flashed decent power in recent minor-league seasons and produced a sparkling .979 OPS over 27 plate appearances this spring in the Grapefruit League.

Thaiss will make the Angels' Opening Day roster, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

Thaiss has been competing for a spot on the 26-man roster throughout the spring, and his most impressive stat has been his 10:7 BB:K. He's slashed just .200/.378/.257 with no homers or RBI over 45 plate appearances, but the decision to carry him on the Opening Day roster was made easy when Max Stassi (hip) was moved to the 10-day IL. Thaiss will begin the campaign as the backup to Logan O'Hoppe behind the plate.

The Astros optioned Lee to Triple-A Sugar Land on Tuesday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Yainer Diaz appears to have earned the second catching spot over Lee, who tallied four hits and four RBI in his 12-game MLB debut last season. The 2019 first-round pick will presumably see big-league action at some point this season, whether due to an Astros injury or Diaz's performance.

Leon re-signed with the Rangers on a minor-league contract Tuesday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Leon requested and was given his release Monday but is quickly back in the organization on a re-worked deal. The veteran catcher will give the club some quality depth at Triple-A Round Rock.

McCann (oblique) is "likely" to need a stint on the injured list, Orioles general manager Mike Elias told MLB.com on Monday.

McCann tweaked his left oblique back on March 20 and hasn't played since. While the catcher considered it to be a "minor" strain, it doesn't look like he'll be well enough to avoid a trip to the IL. Anthony Bemboom looms as the likely roster replacement.

O'Hoppe has been informed he's made the Opening Day roster, Sarah Valenzuela of the Los Angeles Times reports.

O'Hoppe was a strong candidate regardless, but he is at least in part going to make the Angels out of spring training because Max Stassi (hip) will open the year on the injured list. The backstop has been solid in spring play with a .799 OPS over 36 plate appearances, and he likely will see the majority of the reps behind the plate while Stassi is on the shelf.