MLB Player News

Grandal (knee) had another successful hitting session Sunday, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Grandal has yet to see game action during spring training while dealing with right knee inflammation, but he's making progress in his recovery while taking swings on the side. Manager Tony La Russa was encouraged by the progress that the 32-year-old is making but emphasized that he's being brought along slowly. "Slow play as they say," La Russa said. "But he's doing more and more. That's a good sign." It's not yet clear when Grandal will be able to make his spring debut.

Raleigh is 2-for-7 with a double, an RBI and a run across his first three Cactus League games.

The promising catcher doesn't have a clear path to an Opening Day roster spot with Tom Murphy and Luis Torrens expected to form a platoon behind the dish to open the season, but it's been previously speculated Raleigh is slated to make his big-league debut at some point in the 2021 campaign. Shannon Drayer of 710 ESPN Seattle reports manager Scott Servais was especially pleased with Raleigh's work at the plate in Friday's tie with the White Sox, during which the 24-year-old knotted up the score at 2-2 in the third with a two-out single on a full count. A third-round pick in the 2018 first-year player draft, Raleigh has steadily progressed through the organizational ranks and posted a 22-homer, 66-RBI campaign as part of a .261/.336/.535 slash at High-A Modesto back in 2018.

Sanchez has hit two home runs and performed well behind the plate so far in spring training, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

These are promising signs for Sanchez, who struggled both offensively and defensively last season. It is also worth noting that the backstop has struck out only twice in eight plate appearances thus far -- not an earth-shattering rate for most players or even a big sample size, but a promising one for Sanchez given his 36.0 strikeout percentage last season. The 2021 campaign figures to be an important one for Sanchez, who lost his starting job in the playoffs last season and could test the patience of the organization if he gets off to a slow start.

Stassi (hip) is expected to see his first spring action behind the plate early next week, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

While Stassi has yet to play the field this spring, he has logged two at-bats as DH, striking out each time. The 29-year-old underwent hip surgery last October and was not guaranteed to be ready for the start of the 2021 campaign, but it now appears that he has a good chance of being behind the plate for the Angels on Opening Day.

Perez (not injury related) is batting sixth and playing catcher in Saturday's spring game against Seattle, Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Perez's arrival at camp was delayed by visa issues, but he'll make his spring debut behind the dish Saturday. He should be in line for a solid allotment of reps during spring training going forward.

Manager Tony La Russa said Grandal (knee) is swinging in the batting cage Friday but won't see game action this weekend, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.

The 32-year-old twisted his right knee during drills last week and has yet to see game action this spring while dealing with the resulting inflammation. The injury doesn't appear to be a serious concern, but it's worth keeping an eye on Grandal's status as spring training progresses. Injury issues to open the season for a catcher in his 30s could be problematic for the White Sox, especially following the offseason departure of a starting-caliber backup in James McCann.

Stassi (hip) will bat eighth as the designated hitter Friday against Oakland, Shayna Rubin of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Stassi has been slightly delayed to start camp after undergoing hip surgery in October. He's been participating in full workouts, however, and he should be ready to catch soon assuming he gets through Friday's at-bats without setbacks.

Stassi (hip) is participating in full workouts and could get into a Cactus League game soon, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Stassi is still recovering from the hip surgery he underwent following the 2020 season, but he appears close to ready to returning to game action. As long as his debut isn't delayed much longer, the 29-year-old should have adequate time to gear up for Opening Day. Stassi is expected to serve as the Angels' primary catcher in 2021.

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.