MLB Player News

Wynns (oblique) said Thursday that a recent MRI returned negative and indicated that he expects to rejoin the Orioles' Grapefruit League lineup within a few days, Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports reports.

Wynns tweaked his oblique in batting practice earlier this week and has been held out of the lineup the past couple days for what he described as precautionary reasons. The Orioles will bar him from swinging over the next couple days so as to avoid the injury, but assuming he heals as anticipated, the backstop should be ready to play again by next week. He's likely competing for non-roster invitees Jesus Sucre and Carlos Perez for the No. 2 job with Chance Sisco turning in a massive spring thus far to cement his spot atop the depth chart.

Perez underwent successful Tommy John surgery Wednesday.

Perez's procedure went as expected, and the Royals' official statement confirmed that the backstop will sit out the entirety of the 2019 season. Cameron Gallagher is expected to handle the majority of the catching duties unless the team brings in an external option prior to Opening Day.

Manager Brandon Hyde said Wednesday that Wynns is dealing with a sore oblique and will likely be unavailable to play the next few days, Jon Meoli of The Baltimore Sun reports.

While the oblique issue doesn't sound like anything that will force Wynns to begin the season on the injured list, it may hurt his odds of break camp with the big club. Wynns' setback strengthens the hot-hitting Chance Sisco's spot atop the depth chart while potentially opening the door for non-roster players Jesus Sucre, Carlos Perez and Andrew Susac to emerge as the No. 2 option behind the dish.

Perez (elbow) will undergo Tommy John surgery Wednesday after a second opinion confirmed the damage to his UCL, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

Perez headed to Dr. Neal ElAttrache for the second opinion and is now set to go under the knife after the diagnosis was confirmed. The injury was originally believed to be minor but will instead put an end to the 28-year-old's 2019 season prior to Opening Day. Cameron Gallagher is set to take over at catcher for the Royals with Meibrys Viloria next on the depth chart, assuming the team doesn't make any late roster additions.

Heim was reassigned to minor-league camp Sunday, Jane Lee of MLB.com reports.

Heim made it to Double-A Midland a season ago, but he failed to find much success at the dish. He slashed .182/.238/.234 with a home run and 11 RBI over 39 games. Heim appears likely to start the 2019 campaign with the same RockHounds group.

Gallagher could start a larger-than-expected number of games this season, as Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports that starting catcher Salvador Perez is likely to require Tommy John surgery.

Assuming Perez does indeed undergo the procedure, he'll miss the entirety of the 2019 season. Gallagher currently appears to have an unquestioned role as the next in line, though the Royals could move to bring in another catcher. Gallagher's .206/.250/.302 line last season seems to make that an appealing alternative, though that line did come in a small sample of just 69 plate appearances, so it's possible he has room to improve. Martin Maldonado is the top remaining free-agent catcher and could be brought in to split time, though the Royals may be fine with giving at-bats to Gallagher as a younger, in-house option.

Leon went 1-for-2 with a two-run homer in Friday's game against the Twins.

Leon is in a three-way battle for two spots on Boston's roster. Christian Vazquez is expected to be the starting catcher, leaving Leon and Blake Swihart vying for the backup job. The Red Sox have stated they are looking to trade one of their backstops, and the recent injury to Kansas City's Salvador Perez (elbow) could trigger talks between the two teams.

Sanchez went 0-for-2 with a strikeout in his Grapefruit League debut Friday against the Orioles.

Sanchez struck out in his first at-bat before flying out in his second and final trip to the plate Friday. More important is the fact that Sanchez played four innings behind the dish and reported no issues, which should ease concerns over his surgically repaired left shoulder. He's expected to start at catcher again Sunday.

Perez is expected to undergo Tommy John surgery sometime next week, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.

Perez was scratched from Thursday's spring game with what was originally thought to be a minor elbow injury, though a subsequent MRI revealed damage to his UCL that is apparently serious enough to warrant surgery. The 28-year-old backstop was originally scheduled to visit Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles next week for a second opinion, but it sounds like the procedure has already been recommended for him. Assuming Perez goes under the knife next week, he'll miss the entire 2019 campaign, leaving Cameron Gallagher to step in as the team's starting backstop unless the Royals decide to acquire someone else.

Perez will head to Los Angeles next week to get a second opinion on his injured ulnar collateral ligament from Dr. Neal ElAttrache.

Dr. ElAttrache's name typically pops up when Tommy John surgery is close, so the worst-case scenario is certainly not a good one for Perez and the Royals. Perez's injury initially appeared insignificant, as he was scratched from Thursday's game due to what was then called minor elbow soreness, but an MRI revealed damage to his UCL. If Tommy John surgery does end up being required, Perez would miss the entire season, leaving Cameron Gallagher in line for an expanded role.