MLB Player News

Giants catcher Hector Sanchez will miss 2-4 days with a sprained thumb, manager Bruce Bochy said Sunday. 

Sanchez and Andrew Susac are battling for the backup role to Buster Posey, but Susac has struggled early on in camp.

"He's got some work to do to get back on track," Bochy said.

Reds catcher Devin Mesoraco suffered a mild concussion after a foul ball hit his face Saturday, reports MLB.com.

Mesoraco will have to pass concussion protocol before being able to return to the field.

Mets catcher Travis d'Arnaud cut his left ring finger Sunday but did not require stitches, Newsday reports.

The catcher picked up his first hit of the spring Sunday, going 1 for 2 at the plate before coming out of the game. The issue shouldn't cost him much, if any, time.

A bruised thumb caused Giants catcher Hector Sanchez to miss Sunday's game, reports CSNBayArea.com. It is not known how severe Sanchez's thumb injury is.

Dodgers catcher Yasmani Grandal has been turning heads throughout spring training. Saturday, he continued to do damage at the plate, going 3 for 3 with a home run and three RBI.

"I always like to drive the ball the other way. In the offseason, that's what I worked on a lot instead of jumping at the ball right away," said Grandal to MLB.com. "A lot of my power is the other way."

Manager Don Mattingly said after the game that this is what they envisioned coming to the roster as a part of the Matt Kemp trade.

"That's what we saw late in the year last year," Mattingly said.

Eight catchers are in Major League camp with the Diamondbacks, and manager Chip Hale said that any combination of them could make the final roster. 

24-year-old Peter O'Brien is a former second-round draft pick of the Yankees, who was dealt to the D-Backs last season. He's one of the top prospects in the organization and will get extensive playing time, either at the Major League level or in the minors until he's ready to take the starting job on the big club.

35-year-old Gerald Laird is a non-roster invitee. He'll likely serve as a backup if he makes the roster. 

"We know what Gerald can do," Hale told Steve Gilbert of MLB.com. "We just need to make sure that he's ready. If and when he makes the team, he'll have to catch. How much can he catch for us? We'll have to figure that out."

Tuffy Gosewisch has the most experience with the team and is likely to take one of the roster spots. 

Rule V pick Oscar Hernandez needs to make the big club or be returned to the Rays. Hale praised his defense. ""He's really looked good behind the plate," Hale said. "He kind of makes it hard on the coaches and the manager because every ball he catches looks like a strike. ... He's got great hands back there and he blocks it."

Jordan Pacheco could make the squad based on his versatility at other positions. 

Blake Lalli , Matt Pagnozzi and Mark Thomas will have a tough time beating out the five players ahead of them on the depth chart. 

Dodgers catcher Yasmani Grandal has impressed at Camp Boomer, presided over by Dodgers coach Steve "Boomer" Yeager, MLB.com reports.

"I like what I see and what I hear from him," Yeager said. "It takes time to gain the respect of the pitching staff and teammates whenever a catcher comes from somewhere else, but some of them already know him. In the old Dodger tradition, we've welcomed him with open arms. He has come in with a good attitude; you don't have to go looking for him. He's right there, ready to go to work."

Grandal was acquired this offseason as the centerpiece in the trade that sent outfielder Matt Kemp to San Diego.

"In a short time, I've already learned a lot," Grandal said. "Getting to know the guys, catching bullpens, I'm getting a feel for how they throw. Everything comes with time. Once the games start [on Wednesday], it'll definitely come a little faster. I need to get to know what guys are looking for in a catcher, what their mentality is. Some guys like you to give them a pat on the back. With others, it's a different approach."

Grandal is expected to share time behind the plate with incumbent starter A.J. Ellis this season.

The Phillies know Carlos Ruiz will be their opening day starter behind the plate. However, manager Ryne Sandberg is unclear as to who will backup Ruiz when the season begins, reports Philly.com.

"That's one of the areas in camp I think there's some competition," Sandberg said. "[I] need some game reps and game situations to really see them. I like the way that they're all going about it as a group. To get them into games and see how that goes, that will play big in that decision."

Cameron Rupp, Koyie Hill and John Hester are all vying for the position. Rupp is considered the favorite, according to the report, with the most pro experience, hitting .183 with six RBI and four runs scored in 60 plate appearances last season.

"Nothing's handed to anybody," Rupp said, "so I come out every day looking to get better, work on things that I need to improve on, and put my best foot forward."

The Dodgers aren't sure how they'll platoon their two catchers, according to the Orange County Register.

A.J. Ellis has been the team's primary option the past few seasons, but the club brought in Yasmani Grandal during the offseason. While Grandal has a much higher offensive upside, it's unclear how much he'll play once the regular season begins. 

"There’s nothing going to come out of this camp where we’re going to say, ‘OK, this guy is going to start 72 percent of the time’" general manager Andrew Friedman said. "It’s going to be much more about Donnie (Mattingly) writing the lineup each and every day for what gives us the best chance to win that day."

Mattingly admitted that Grandal has "tremendous upside offensively," so it's possible he could lead that way more often. While Mattingly has indicated that he doesn't want to assign any personal catchers yet, there's a sense Ellis could be used when Clayton Kershaw is on the mound. 

Grandal hit .225/.327/.401 over 377 at-bats last year. Ellis hit .191/.323/.254 over 283 at-bats. 

Padres catcher prospect Austin Hedges spent some time this offseason working with hitting coach Mark Kotsay and the progress he made has left the team encouraged about his future, per MLB.com.

"This year, I notice more maturity. He's still young, but he's getting closer to the big leagues. I think he is starting to understand our message of the pitcher-catcher relationship," Padres manager Bud Black said. "He's doing a lot of things very well in camp."

Hedges, who was the Padres' No. 1 prospect last season (per MLB.com), will likely start the season in Triple-A. For now, he will just work on getting better while he is in major-league camp.

"This is exactly where I want to be," Hedges said. "I'm lucky to be here. You start to feel like you belong. You feel like you can make a difference in a big-league game. The coaches have done a great job making me feel comfortable and preparing me."