MLB Player News

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.

The Astros optioned Stubbs to their minor-league camp Saturday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Stubbs is likely in line to spend a third consecutive season at the Triple-A level, this time at Round Rock after spending the previous two campaigns with Fresno. There isn't currently an opening for Stubbs in the majors with Robinson Chirinos and Max Stassi locked in as the top two catchers, but the 25-year-old may be first in line for a promotion if an injury should arise.

Gallagher is no longer expected to be the Royals' starting catcher after the team signed Martin Maldonado on Saturday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

Gallagher temporarily seemed to be in line for a starting gig after Salvador Perez underwent season-ending surgery Wednesday, but that role was always contingent on the Royals not bringing in an external option. It's still possible Gallagher could carve out a significant role, as Maldonado is a veteran unlikely to be around more than one year who owns a career 72 wRC+.

Zavala (quadriceps) is available off the bench for Saturday's Cactus League game against the Rangers, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Zavala has been limited to just three at-bats this spring while tending to the strained left quad. It's unclear if the White Sox plan on using him Saturday, but the team's decision to make him available suggests that there's no longer much concern about the injury. Zavala is expected to open the upcoming season at Triple-A Charlotte.

Maldonado and the Royals came to terms Saturday on a one-year, $2.5 million contract, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports. The deal includes an additional $1.4 million in incentives.

After Kansas City lost top catcher Salvador Perez (elbow) to season-ending Tommy John surgery earlier this spring, the club wasted little time on checking in with Maldonado, the top option at the position still on the open market. The two sides were able to strike a deal fairly quickly, so Maldonado should have enough time to get in enough defensive work and at-bats over the next couple weeks to ensure he'll be ready for Opening Day. The 2017 Gold Glove winner will make his greatest impact on the defensive end, but the likelihood that he'll handle the majority of the starts behind the dish for Kansas City gives him some appeal as a second catcher in AL-only formats or deeper mixed leagues that start two backstops.

Rupp was traded from the Giants to the Tigers for cash considerations Friday, Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Rupp was in Giants' camp as a non-roster invitee but didn't have a clear path to a roster spot. He'd have to beat out John Hicks for a job in Detroit, though the Tigers could carry three catchers as Hicks is expected to spend time at first base. Rupp was stuck in the minors last season but owns a respectable (for a catcher) .234/.298/.407 line over parts of five seasons in the big leagues.

Stassi went 2-for-2 with an RBI in Thursday's game against the Marlins.

Stassi looked like a find during the first part of 2018 before his offense fell off over the second half. He'll be looking to sustain his bat over the entire season but will do so as a backup to Robinson Chirinos.

Narvaez went 3-for-3 with a two-run home run and two runs scored Thursday against Cincinnati.

Narvaez went deep in the first inning to get his team on the scoreboard, belting his first homer of spring training. The 27-year-old is 4-for-18 at the dish thus far and projects as Seattle's starting catcher after being shipped over from the White Sox during the offseason.

Trevino (shoulder) is listed among the Rangers' reserve options for Thursday's Cactus League game against the Padres, Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

Adam Moore is slated to swap in for starting catcher Jett Bandy midway through the contest, but Trevino will be on hand as a third option if needed. Trevino's availability in any capacity indicates he's moved past the shoulder issue that limited him early in camp. He has already appeared in five Cactus League games, going hitless in eight at-bats.

Zavala (quad strain) hopes to return to action this weekend, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

He suffered the injury in the first Cactus League game of the season and has yet to return, but it sounds like that could happen this weekend. Zavala is likely ticketed for Triple-A to start the season, but is the third catcher on the organizational depth chart, so it is quite possible that he makes his big-league debut this season.