MLB Player News

Sanchez (back) tested positive for the flu Tuesday, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Sanchez was scheduled to take part in catching drills and batting practice this week before returning to game action Friday, but the illness will set him back a few days.

Murphy went 2-for-3 with a two-run home run in a Cactus League win over the Rangers on Monday.

It was the first round tripper of Cactus League play for the promising backstop, who was eased into spring following offseason knee surgery and didn't see game action until March 2. Murphy, who'll be the starting catcher in 2020, has made good use of his limited opportunities thus far, hitting .375 (3-for-8) over his first 10 spring plate appearances.

Jansen went 1-for-3 with a grand slam in Monday's split-squad game against the Rays.

After Blake Snell had walked four of the first five batters he faced and gotten the hook, Trevor Richards entered the game and was promptly taken deep by Jansen on his second pitch. The 24-year-old catcher focused on improving his hitting routine and swing mechanics this offseason and the work has paid off in spades so far, as Jansen now sports a .429/.529/1.071 slash line through 17 plate appearances with three homers and a 3:1 BB:K. After a disappointing 2019 campaign at the plate, Jansen could be poised for a breakout.

Sanchez (back) missed his scheduled batting practice Tuesday due to a fever, Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News reports.

It initially appeared as though Sanchez's back was still bothering him when his hitting session was canceled, but he's evidently dealing with an unrelated issue. He was previously expected to return to game action Friday, but the loss of another day or two due to illness will probably push that back by a few days.

Sanchez (back) didn't take part in on-field batting practice as planned Tuesday, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

The Yankees have scheduled Sanchez to hit each of the previous three days, only for those plans to be tabled. Sanchez's lower back is evidently still presenting some discomfort, but at this stage, the Yankees are viewing his injury as a day-to-day concern. He's still expected to catch side sessions the next two days while the Yankees are traveling, so if Sanchez fares well in those workouts, he could be cleared to re-enter the Grapefruit League lineup at some point over the weekend.

Sanchez (back) is feeling better but won't return to game action until at least Friday, Anthony Rieber of Newsday Sports reports.

Sanchez is scheduled to take batting practice Monday, but manager Aaron Boone said he likely won't return to game action until Friday mainly due to the Yankees' schedule over the next several days. The 27-year-old is also scheduled to work on catching duties Monday and appears to be trending to a full workload ahead of his likely return to the starting lineup.

Sanchez (back) is scheduled to take batting practice Monday, George A. King III of the New York Post reports.

Sanchez's activity has been limited since he experienced lower-back tightness coming out of his last Grapefruit League appearance Friday, but the Yankees were seemingly just exercising precaution in withholding him from action over the weekend. His ability to take swings Monday leaves the door open for Sanchez to return to the spring lineup Tuesday versus Toronto, but the Yankees will presumably first wait and see how he feels in the hours leading up to that game before rendering a decision on his availability.

Collins went 1-for-2 with a walk and a two-run home run in Sunday's spring game against the Royals.

Collins started at catcher and cranked his second Cactus League home run. He's 5-for-16 with three extra-base hits, five RBI and eight walks over 11 spring games. Collins is an offense-first catcher that continues to plug away at his defensive skills, but he's unlikely to break camp with the White Sox unless the team feels the need to carry a third catcher as its 26th man. Yasmani Grandal and James McCann (on a one-year deal) are ahead of him on the organizational depth chart.

Manager Aaron Boone said he hopes Sanchez (back) will return to the lineup for Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Blue Jays, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

The 27-year-old isn't listed on the travel roster for Monday's matchup with the Phillies, but he was able to participate in catching drills Sunday. Sanchez reported some soreness in his lower back Saturday after catching back-to-back days, but the issue doesn't appear to be a serious concern. Barring any continuing problems, there shouldn't be a question regarding his availability for Opening Day.

Sanchez (back) isn't included on the Yankees' travel roster for Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies and appears unlikely to play in that contest, George A. King III of the New York Post reports.

Sanchez indicated that his lower back was sore Saturday after catching the previous two days, but at this stage, the Yankees don't seem overly concerned about the injury. Per Bryan Hoch of MLB.com, Sanchez doesn't plan to take part in his scheduled batting practice session Sunday, but he isn't scheduled to undergo an MRI and thinks he could play Monday if necessary. Sanchez looks like he'll be good to go by the time Opening Day arrives March 26, but the Yankees will slow play his return this week, and he may not return to game action until Friday, according to Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News.