MLB Player News

Rogers, who was added to the Tigers' 60-player pool Sunday, could get some MLB playing time in relief of Austin Romine and Eric Haase this season, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Rogers was optioned to Triple-A Toledo in March, and it seemed like he was destined to spend much of if not all of the 2020 season there. However, the 25-year-old is now technically back in the majors, and with 60 games coming up in just 66 days, the Tigers may end up needing three catchers. It still wouldn't be wise to expect much from Rogers in 2020 with Romine and Haase around, and 2020 draftee Dillon Dingler complicates his future outlook behind the plate in Detroit.

Perez is part of the Athletics' 60-man player pool that will report to summer camp, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

The veteran backstop will be one of five catchers in camp, but he's clearly no better than No. 4 on the positional depth chart behind Sean Murphy, Jonah Heim and Austin Allen. That trio is expected to make the 30-man Opening Day roster, which means Perez, who's on a minor-league contract, appears destined for the additional pool of up to 30 players that won't have active status but will continue to train in a separate location during the season.

Jeffers was added to the 60-man player pool ahead of training camp, MLB.com reports.

Jeffers made a strong impression in spring training before MLB was shut down due to the pandemic. After a breakout season at Double-A, he's a candidate to contribute in the majors this season if the Twins need a catcher. He'll likely begin the season at Minnesota's alternate training site.

Wong was added to the Red Sox's 60-man player pool.

Wong, who is not on the 40-man roster, joins Boston's player pool as one of five catchers. He has a mere 40 games of experience above High-A, so it's not expected that the 24-year-old native of Houston (Tex.) will ever see time in the majors in 2020. There is a lot of swing-and-miss in Wong, who struck out 30.8 percent of the time in 2019, although he carried an .878 OPS and hit 24 home runs in two stops. The power tool is better than the hit tool at this stage of his development, and Wong needs to make more consistent contact against advanced pitching in the upper levels of the minors.

The White Sox announced Monday that Collins will be included as part of the team's 60-man roster pool.

Since none of the White Sox's minor-league affiliates are expected to have proper seasons in 2020, Collins will join the parent club when it opens its summer training camp Friday. One of four catchers for the Pale Hose, Collins isn't expected to find himself any higher than third on the depth chart with Yasmani Grandal and James McCann locked in as the top two options behind the plate. Collins could also see occasional work as a designated hitter or pinch hitter off the bench.

Raleigh will be part of the Mariners' 60-man training roster.

The 23-year-old switch hitter is Seattle's best catching prospect, but that is damning with faint praise. He had a 134 wRC+ with a .274 ISO at High-A last year but hit just .228 with a 29.6 percent strikeout rate in 39 games after a promotion to Double-A. Raleigh may get some time in the majors this year, but he is firmly behind Tom Murphy and Austin Nola on the depth chart.

Huff was added to the Rangers' 60-man player pool Sunday.

Huff, who is not on the 40-man roster, blew up in 2019 when he swatted a combined 28 home runs and knocked in 72 runs for Low-A Hickory and High-A Down East. He maintained an exit velocity of 91 MPH -- the MLB average was 88.1 -- per T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com. The 6-foot-5 Huff may not remain a catcher as he moves forward, but his power potential is intriguing enough for the Rangers to find him a home. He's played first base in each of the last two seasons, but the Rangers are not currently planning a position shift. It's unlikely he'll get an opportunity to face MLB pitchers in 2020, but the Rangers will have him work with an established backstop, like Jeff Mathis, so that he can further his development behind the dish.

Naylor will be a part of the Indians' 60-man player pool this season.

Naylor is the Indians' top catching prospect, and he will get to train with some of the organization's best pitching prospects at an alternate site while the other three catchers in the 60-man pool will train with fellow big leaguers at Progressive Field. Naylor hit .243/.313/.421 with 11 home runs and seven steals at Low-A last year.

Heim, who was in a heated competition for the backup catcher job when spring training was suspended, is now highly likely to make the Athletics' Opening Day roster, Melissa Lockard of The Athletic reports.

Heim turned plenty of heads in Cactus League play with a .325 average (8-for-25), enough that he'd made up significant ground on Austin Allen in the battle for the backup catcher job by the time play was paused. While it may have been a close call for manager Bob Melvin had the regular season unfolded under normal circumstances with teams limited to 26-man rosters, Saxon notes the fact there are now four extra slots to work with almost certainly serves to lock in spots for both young backstops. The fact Heim is already on the 40-man roster only ups his chances of staying put when the regular season begins.

Stubbs will likely be part of the Astros' expanded roster, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Stubbs lost out on the backup catcher job to Dustin Garneau in spring training and was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock, but the luxury of an expanded roster means Houston can carry a third catcher. The Astros have talked about using Stubbs at other positions, which could benefit him as the team trims its roster from 30 to 28 two weeks into the season, then from 28 to 26 two weeks later.