MLB Player News

Perez remains a strong candidate to win the backup catcher job heading into the final days of spring training, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Perez is in one of the more heated job battles of Athletics camp with Aramis Garcia, who's also impressed in his bid to serve as Sean Murphy's primary backup behind the dish to open the season. Perez is more of a known quantity to the organization than offseason arrival Garcia, with the former having spent the 2020 campaign distinguishing himself at Oakland's alternate training site with his ability to handle the younger pitchers on the roster. The 30-year-old hasn't seen regular-season action since 2018, but he's hitting a solid .273 (6-for-22) with an RBI across 13 spring games.

Vazquez (eye) is okay after getting hit in the face during batting practice and is expected to be ready for Opening Day, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Vazquez suffered an eye contusion and laceration after an accident that resulted in him being hit in the face by a ball. However, manager Alex Cora said the team is confident that he will be okay for the start of regular-season action.

Murphy, who didn't make his Cactus League debut until last Thursday due to surgery for a collapsed lung, went 2-for-3 with a double, a solo home run, three RBI, a walk and two runs in a win over the White Sox on Wednesday.

Murphy's second round tripper of Cactus League play notably came off Lance Lynn, and all four of the young backstop's hits thus far this spring have gone for extra bases. The 26-year-old has made up some ground in his preparation, having logged 20 spring plate appearances through Thursday's exhibition versus the Mariners.

Garver (hand) was diagnosed with a bruise after being removed from Thursday's game, Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Garver took a foul tip off his hand, though it appears that he escaped serious injury. While no exact details were provided, the injury doesn't appear likely to affect his status to begin the season.

Garver exited Thursday's contest after taking a foul tip off of his left hand, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

The trainer was reportedly looking at Garver's index finger, though there's no indication of the severity of the injury. Garver has struggled at the plate during spring training, hitting just .227/.261/.409 with eight strikeouts across 23 plate appearances.

Vazquez suffered an eye contusion and laceration under his left eye after he was struck by a thrown ball during practice Thursday, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Vazquez was a late scratch from Thursday's spring lineup due to his eye injury. It's not yet clear whether the issue will force the 30-year-old to miss additional time.

Vazquez has been scratched from Thursday's spring lineup against the Twins for an undisclosed reason, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

The Red Sox didn't provide a reason for Vazquez's removal, but he was scratched from the lineup minutes before first pitch Thursday. Jett Bandy served as the backstop in his place, and it's not yet clear whether Vazquez will miss additional time.

Rogers was optioned to Triple-A Toledo on Thursday.

Rogers was battling Grayson Greiner for the backup job behind Wilson Ramos but will wind up losing the contest. Rogers didn't get into a big-league game last season and produced a .125/.222/.259 slash line in his 35-game debut in 2019.

Heim will make the Rangers' Opening Day roster, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Heim, who was acquired during the offseason from Oakland in the Elvis Andrus deal, will thus be the backup catcher behind Jose Trevino. There isn't much fantasy appeal here, as Heim is batting .105 (2-for-19) with two RBI this spring, though he did manage to hit .310/.385/.477 across two minor-league stops in 2019.

Bemboom was optioned by the Angels on Wednesday.

Bemboom was not expected to break camp with the club and struggled at the plate this spring, slashing .150/.190/.150. He'll open the campaign in the minors with Max Stassi and Kurt Suzuki locked into the top two spots on the team's catching depth chart.