MLB Player News

Nola, who's hitting .250 (4-for-16) with one RBI and two runs over his first six Cactus League games, will split playing time at catcher with Tom Murphy fairly evenly this season, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

The Mariners traded Omar Narvaez to the Brewers this offseason, leaving the primary backup job at catcher to Nola, who logged time most of his time at first base during his rookie 2019 campaign. However, manager Scott Servais confirmed Thursday that he envisions Nola being very close in playing time to Murphy in an effort to help prevent wear and tear on both players. "I think it's really going to be a balance," Servais said. "Everybody says, 'Oh, Murphy is the starting catcher.' He'll start Opening Night, probably. We'll see. But those guys are going to be more of a 55-45 [percent split]. They're both going to play a very similar amount."

Wynns (groin) said he was scratched ahead of Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Marlins merely as a precaution, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports. "Everything's good," Wynns said. "Just taking precautions, but ready to go."

Wynns is likely just dealing with some minor soreness after taking a foul ball to his groin area while he was catching Monday. He's expected to check back into the spring lineup within the next few days, so his brief absence shouldn't impact his chances of beating out Chance Sisco for the Orioles' No. 2 catching job.

Grandal (calf) had two at-bats and caught three innings in the White Sox's "B" game against the Reds on Wednesday, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Grandal tested the strained left calf muscle, rapping a double in his first at-bat and swiping third base with nobody covering due to a defensive shift. He exited the game feeling good, per manager Rick Renteria, who added that Grandal may have a short catching stint Friday against the Cubs, pending the response of his body.

Murphy has enjoyed a strong start to camp as he prepares to serve as the primary catcher this season, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

The veteran is being lauded for his leadership, veteran presence and relationship with the pitching staff, although Murphy still remains somewhat of an unknown quantity as a full-time player since he's never filled such a role over his first five big-league seasons. The 28-year-old does have a reputation for strong work ethic and preparation, with the latter especially important considering Murphy will serve as the battery mate to a pair of promising but raw young arms in Justus Sheffield and Justin Dunn this season. At the plate, Murphy will also look to improve his numbers versus right-handed pitchers after slashing just .211/.252/.401 against that handedness in 2019, although Johns notes righty bat Austin Nola, who generated a solid .275/.335/.413 line in same-handed matchups last season, could will draw some of those starts as Murphy's backup during the 2020 campaign.

Thaiss is hitting .278 (5-for-18) with a home run and five RBI in Cactus League play.

Thaiss hit only .211 in 147 major-league at-bats last season, but he has consistently shown good hitting skills in the minors while his power has begun to emerge over the last two seasons. The 24-year-old won't have an everyday role with the Angels to begin the campaign, but his ability to play both corner infield positions could help him nail down a spot on the big-league roster.

Maldonado (thumb) said he's hopeful he'll be ready to rejoin Houston's Grapefruit League lineup Friday against the Mets, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Maldonado has been out of action since Sunday, when he took a foul tip off his thumb and then aggravated the injury while catching later in the game. He said he would have been available Tuesday if the Astros were playing a regular-season game, so the club is seemingly just taking a cautious approach with the veteran, who will serve as Houston's top catcher in 2020.

Wynns was scratched from the lineup ahead of Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Marlins due to a groin issue, Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com reports.

Wynns took a foul ball to the lower half Monday and is apparently still dealing with some residual soreness two days later. Chance Sisco will enter the starting nine in place of Wynns, who can be viewed as day-to-day.

Heim (shin) went 3-for-3 with an RBI double and a run in a Cactus League win over the White Sox on Tuesday.

Heim returned to action after sitting out Sunday's game with shin soreness. The promising backstop, battling Austin Allen for the backup catcher job behind Sean Murphy, is now hitting .467 (7-for-15) with a pair of two baggers, five RBI, one walk and four runs through seven spring games, flashing an impressive bat to complement his already strong defense behind the dish.

Murphy (knee) drew walks in each of his two plate appearances during a Cactus League win over the Cubs on Monday. He caught five innings before being lifted for a pinch runner after his second base on balls.

The projected starting backstop finally got into game action after being eased into spring following a meniscal debridement procedure on his troublesome left knee during the offseason. Murphy complements a solid bat with elite defensive skills, including a rocket arm that gunned down the Royals' Adalberto Mondesi on a steal attempt with a throw clocked at 87.4 mph last season. Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports Murphy won't return to action until Thursday and will have his usage monitored carefully for the balance of the exhibition slate, which will give the promising duo of Austin Allen and Jonah Heim opportunities to battle it out for the backup catcher role.

Maldonado recently took a foul ball off his left thumb and was scratched from Tuesday's lineup against the Cardinals as a precaution, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Maldonado was labeled by manager Dusty Baker as the Astros' No. 1 catcher heading in to spring training following the departure of Robinson Chirinos in free agency. The 33-year-old Maldonado has spent time on five different major-league rosters during the past two seasons and is valued as one of the league's premier defensive options behind the plate. Maldonado owns a career .219 batting average, but demonstrated flashes of power towards the end of last season in Houston, hitting six home runs to go along with a .464 slugging percentage across 27 regular-season contests.