MLB Player News

Sanchez (shoulder) will start behind the plate and bat cleanup in Friday's spring game against the Orioles, Pete Caldera of The Bergen Record reports.

Sanchez took part in a simulated game Thursday, which proved to be the final hurdle before his spring training debut Friday. There was some thought the 26-year-old would be eased into the lineup as the designated hitter, but he will instead jump straight into things at catcher, which is a great sign for the status of his surgically repaired left shoulder.

Zavala hasn't played since the first game of spring due to a strained left quad, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Zavala went 2-for-3 with a double and two runs scored in the game but unfortunately has been unable to retake the field. The 25-year-old hopes to return to action for the White Sox sometime next week.

Royals manager Ned Yost said Perez will sit out Thursday due to minor elbow soreness, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

Yost didn't seem too worried about the issue, chalking it up to normal spring soreness. Once healthy, Perez will be eased into action, starting off as a designated hitter before making his debut behind the dish sometime next week. Assuming everything goes as planned, Perez should have plenty of time to get up to speed before Opening Day.

Gallagher (undisclosed) is back in the lineup Thursday against the Padres.

Gallagher was scratched from Wednesday's lineup for unknown reasons. Whatever the issue was, it was apparently a minor one, as he'll wind up missing just a single game.

Sanchez (shoulder) took part in a simulated game Thursday, Erik Boland of Newsday reports.

Sanchez stepped in for a few at-bats against Luis Severino in what likely amounts to the backstop's final hurdle to clear in his recovery from offseason shoulder surgery before making his spring debut. Assuming Sanchez reports no discomfort with his shoulder coming out of the workout, he could be included in the lineup for the Yankees' Grapefruit League game Friday versus the Orioles. Sanchez will presumably serve as a designated hitter for a few games before seeing action behind the dish.

Gallagher was scratched from the Royals' Cactus League lineup Wednesday versus the Giants for an undisclosed reason.

The Royals should provide additional word if an injury is at the root of Gallagher's absence, but it's possible the team just wanted to build in some rest for the 26-year-old, who is expected to break camp as the backup to Salvador Perez. Non-roster invitee Nick Dini will step in behind the plate for Gallagher and serve as the Royals' No. 8 hitter.

Thaiss was 2-for-3 with a run scored, two RBI and two doubles during Tuesday's spring win against Oakland.

Thaiss posted a .277/.328/.457 slash line with 10 home runs over 85 games at Triple-A Salt Lake in 2018. Barring an injury to Justin Bour or Albert Pujols, the 23-year-old is unlikely to crack the Opening Day roster.

Sanchez (shoulder) will make his spring debut Friday against the Orioles, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Sanchez's spring has started slowly as he recovers from November shoulder surgery, but he'll still have plenty of time to get ready for Opening Day. The Yankees are being cautious after injuries put a big dent in Sanchez's 2018 campaign, limiting him to a .186/.291/.406 line in 89 games.

Garver started at catcher and went 1-for-3 in Sunday's spring training loss to Boston.

Garver missed time in September due to a concussion, but he looks healthy as spring begins. He'll likely occupy the lesser side of a platoon with Jason Castro, which would help boost his batting average, if not his counting stats. Garver could also be the primary catcher early in the year if Castro is slow to return from knee surgery.

Manager Ned Yost said Saturday that Perez will be eased into spring action and may be used primarily as a designated hitter for the first couple of weeks before receiving starts at catcher, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

Since hitting the majors in 2011, Perez has consistently shouldered one of the heavier workloads among all catchers, so it makes sense for the Royals to limit his reps behind the dish in mostly meaningless exhibition contests. Perez will still be able to get plenty of at-bats during Cactus League play as a DH and shouldn't have trouble settling into a rhythm at the plate once Opening Day arrives.