MLB Player News

Wynns (oblique) was cleared for on-field batting practice Friday, Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports reports.

Wynns has been hitting in the batting cage throughout the week as he recovers from a left oblique issue. The 28-year-old has been out of action for a little over a week, but appears to be nearing his return to spring games.

Maldonado will play in minor-league games Thursday and Saturday before potentially getting into big-league spring games for the Royals, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

He has not made his Cactus League debut on the big-league side since signing with the Royals, but there has been nothing to suggest he won't be ready to go for the start of the season.

Collins was reassigned to minor-league camp Wednesday.

Collins got to spend the first part of camp with the major-league squad but wasn't considered an option to open the season in the big leagues. He'll get his first taste of Triple-A this season after posting a .234/.382/.404 line with 15 homers in 122 games for Double-A Birmingham last year.

Zavala was optioned to Triple-A Charlotte.

The expectation is that Zavala will be the White Sox's No. 3 catcher this year, playing at Triple-A until an injury opens up playing time on the big-league roster.

Moore was reassigned to minor-league camp Tuesday.

Moore received a major-league camp invitation with his minor-league deal in February but was never particularly likely to make the team. The veteran has appeared in at least one major-league game in nine of the last 10 years but has only once gotten into more than nine games in a season.

Jansen has gone 7-for-23 (.304) with a double and a 0:3 BB:K through nine games so far this spring.

While the lack of power is a touch concerning, the 23-year-old is otherwise on track to begin the regular season as the Jays' No. 1 catcher. Jansen has been a popular sleeper pick in drafts, and while the barren fantasy landscape behind the plate has a lot to do with that, his .275/.390/.473 slash line with 12 homers in 88 Triple-A games last year does offer a glimpse at his upside.

Haase has gone 4-for-10 with a homer so far this spring.

Haase isn't a particularly highly rated prospect, though he has shown some power in the minors, hitting 27 homers in just 97 games in 2017 and adding 20 more in 120 games last season. He's behind two established veterans in Roberto Perez and Kevin Plawecki, but neither has a strong enough track record to where it would be impossible to see Haase beat them out for a roster spot.

Perez (elbow) was placed on the 60-day injured list Monday.

The move has no effect on Perez's return timeline, as he's already been ruled out for the year while he recovers from Tommy John surgery. The transaction makes room on the 40-man roster for new signee Martin Maldonado, who is expected to take over the starting job in Perez's absence.

McCann went 1-for-3 with a home run and two RBI in Saturday's game against Texas.

McCann is enjoying a hot spring with his new team, hitting .389 (7-for-18) with five runs scored. The 28-year-old backstop is coming off a down season with the Tigers in 2018 but popped 25 homers in the two previous seasons. He is expected to back up Welington Castillo to start 2019 and could be useful in a platoon role against left-handers, against whom he's posted a .797 career OPS.

Wynns (oblique) will ramp up his throwing Sunday and will swing a bat sometime next week, Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports reports.

Wynns suggested Thursday that he would be back in the lineup within a few days, but it appears he'll need a bit more time. He'll need to get back in action soon if he's to hold off Jesus Sucre and Carlos Perez for the backup catcher job.