MLB Player News

Vazquez went 2-for-3 with a double, an RBI and a run scored in Friday's 13-2 win over the Orioles.

Vazquez slotted in at sixth in the batting order, which was his primary slot in 2019, when he posted career highs in home runs (23) and OPS (.798). While it looks like he's trending up as a hitter, Vazquez has been up and down since becoming Boston's primary catcher.

Maldonado went 2-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored in Friday's 8-2 win over Seattle.

Maldonado helped pick up the lineup that didn't get much output from its top stars -- George Springer, Jose Altuve, Alex Bregman and Carlos Correa went a combined 3-for-17. As a career .219, Maldonado is not expected to carry much of the offense on this stacked roster.

Perez went 1-for-4 with three strikeouts during Friday's 2-0 loss against the Indians.

Perez landed on the IL after testing positive for COVID-19 earlier this month, but he recovered in time to start behind the plate in the season debut. In fact, he was only one of four Royals to record a hit in a game where the entire offense struggled. Perez hit for .235 with 27 homers and 80 RBI last season, and he has cleared the 20-homer plateau in each of the past four campaigns.

Murphy (foot) doesn't have a timetable for a return to action, but manager Scott Servais noted Friday the backstop doesn't have to wear a boot, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

Servais added that despite suffering from what is officially a fractured left foot, Murphy is only feeling discomfort when getting down in a catcher's squat and putting added pressure on his instep. While it's modestly good news Murphy doesn't appear to be in an overwhelming amount of pain, it could be some time before the fracture heals completely.

Pinto was added to the Rays' 60-player pool Friday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Pinto was at spring training as a non-roster invitee and will now head to the team's alternate training site in Port Charlotte. The 23-year-old provides catching depth after veteran Chris Herrmann exercised his opt-out clause last week.

Hernandez was added to the Kansas City's 30-man roster Thursday, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

Hernandez will provide the team with additional depth behind the plate to start the season. His stint with the big club could be brief given the presence of super-utility Erick Mejia -- who is also capable of playing backstop -- on the roster.

Bemboom is not part of the Angels' 30-man roster.

Bemboom was a longshot to break camp with the club as he trails both Jason Castro and Max Stassi on the team's depth chart. However, Bemboom will travel with club as part of the team's three-man taxi squad, per Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com.

Stubbs is part of Houston's 30-man roster, Julia Morales of AT&T SportsNet Southwest reports.

As expected, Stubbs will open the season with the Astros thanks to expanded rosters. He'll serve as the team's third catcher for now, though the team has also talked about potentially using him at other positions.

The Mariners placed Murphy (foot) on the 10-day injured list Wednesday.

The transaction was made official shortly after the news broke that Murphy is dealing with a broken bone in his left foot, which he sustained after fouling a ball off of himself last week. The Mariners haven't provided an official timetable for Murphy's return, but his indefinite absence likely paves the way for Austin Nola to begin the season as the club's primary backstop.

Nola is expected to open the season as the Mariners' starting catcher after Tom Murphy was diagnosed with a broken foot Wednesday, Jen Mueller of ROOT Sports Northwest reports.

The 30-year-old was expected to see about 45 percent of the starts behind the plate alongside Murphy, but he'll now begin the season without any veteran competition. Nola saw his first major-league action in 2019 and had a strong showing with a .269/.342/.454 slash line and 10 homers in 79 games. According to Shannon Drayer of 710 ESPN Seattle, Joe Hudson will operate as Seattle's backup catcher while Murphy is sidelined.