MLB Player News

Mejia, who went 1-for-2 with a double in Tuesday's Grapefruit League loss to the Red Sox, has pleased the Rays coaching staff with his progress early in spring training, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports. "We're excited, thrilled with where he's at," manager Kevin Cash said. "We've got to make sure that we can continue getting him around the pitchers, having conversations and learning the little things that are so important that [pitching coach Kyle Snyder and bullpen coach Stan Boroski] value as far as the simple messages."

Mejia is one of the more intriguing prospects to watch in spring camp, considering he was once considered on the fast track to stardom with the Padres organization. The 25-year-old is experiencing a reset of sorts in Tampa Bay after arriving in the Blake Snell trade, and the Rays are intent on grooming him as the switch-hitting complement to starting catcher Mike Zunino, who's only under contract through the end of the 2021 season. Cash notes Mejia has been kept busy getting familiarized with the pitching staff by catching plenty of bullpen and live batting practice sessions, and the Rays skipper adds he plans to single out certain pitchers and frequent 2021 opponents in deciding when to get Mejia game action during the balance of the Grapefruit League schedule.

Murphy (chest) has resumed hitting and catching, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Murphy has been slowed to begin spring training following a pair of offseason surgeries to address a collapsed lung. While manager Bob Melvin said Wednesday that Murphy still isn't ready for game action, the catcher has been progressing well in his recovery so far. The 26-year-old has said that he expects to be ready to play in time for Opening Day.

Jeffers started at catcher and went 1-for-3 in Monday's spring training win over Tampa Bay. It was his first game since minor offseason surgery on his throwing elbow.

Jeffers underwent a procedure to remove "loose bodies" from his throwing elbow and hasn't been limited early in spring training. Nevertheless, it's reassuring to see him behind the plate and healthy ahead of Opening Day. Jeffers had a strong rookie year and should be part of the mix at catcher for the Twins after hitting .273 with a .791 OPS. His outlook for playing time is uncertain since both he and Mitch Garver are right-handed. However, the Twins have made it a point to give catchers adequate rest, so the duo may split playing time even if not in a traditional platoon.

Grandal (knee) ramped up his hitting and throwing Sunday and is expected to return soon, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.

Grandal recently twisted his right knee during drills and will miss at least the first two spring games due to inflammation, but he appears to be nearing a return. Barring any setbacks, the 32-year-old catcher should still have plenty of time to prepare for Opening Day.

Haase went 1-for-2 with a solo home run and two runs scored in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies.

Haase is on the outside looking in right now, as he was removed from the 40-man roster and outrighted to Triple-A Toledo last month. The Tigers brought in Wilson Ramos to serve as the primary catcher, and Grayson Greiner and Jake Rogers are vying for the backup role. That leaves Haase with very little fantasy appeal heading into 2021, though he could get a look in the majors if Ramos misses any time due to injury.

Collins will line up behind the plate for Sunday's spring opener against the Brewers, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Yasmani Grandal (knee) is slowed by inflammation and will not appear in the first two Cactus League games. Non-roster invitee Jonathan Lucroy appears to have the edge as the backup to Grandal, so it looks like manager Tony La Russa is evaluating Collins and Yermin Mercedes, who will catch Monday's contest.

Grandal twisted his right knee during drills and will sit for at least the first two spring games until his inflammation subsides, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Catchers come with inherent injury risk, as do players in their early thirties, so this certainly isn't the ideal place for Grandal to be in early in camp. The injury doesn't appear to be a particularly worrisome one, and he still has more than a month to get up to speed by Opening Day, but the worry here is that spring knee issues could foreshadow similar problems throughout the year for a player at his age and position.

Plawecki cleared the intake process Saturday and resumed workouts, Bill Koch of The Providence Journal reports.

Plawecki was absent from the first few days of camp while on the COVID-19 injured list, though the Red Sox didn't specify whether he had the virus himself or had merely been exposed to someone who did. Whatever the reason, he still has over a month to prepare for Opening Day, so his push for the backup catcher job shouldn't be significantly affected.

Plawecki is going through the intake process to report to camp Thursday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Plawecki missed the start of camp while on the COVID-19 injured list, though it's not clear if he tested positive for the virus himself or had merely been exposed to someone who else who did. In either case, he'll still have over a month to prepare for the upcoming season, so he should be at minimal risk of missing Opening Day.

Murphy (chest) has resumed some baseball activities but hasn't yet started hitting, Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Murphy underwent a pair of surgeries during the offseason to address a collapsed lung, and he's had a slight delay to spring training as a result. Assuming his recovery continues to progress smoothly, the catcher still expects to be ready in time for Opening Day.