MLB Player News

Padres catcher Yasmani Grandal could play in games soon, according to MLB.com.

Grandal was able to get through a three inning stint behind the plate Saturday without any ill effects. Manager Bud Black said Grandal could make his spring debut shortly. He's been recovering from knee issues.

Grandal hit .216/.352/.341 in 88 at-bats last year.

Diamondbacks catcher Tuffy Gosewisch came in for Henry Blanco in the sixth inning of Saturday's game against the White Sox.

Gosewisch, who had been dealing with a calf injury, doubled in two runs in the ninth inning. He went 1 for 2 with two RBI in a 6-4 win.

Diamondbacks catcher Tuffy Gosewisch is ready to return, according to azcentral.com.

Gosewisch has been dealing with a calf injury, but said he could play Friday. He's battling to be the team's backup catcher. Gosewisch missed about a week due to the injury.

Padres catcher Yasmani Grandal is still working to build his stamina, according to MLB.com.

Grandal is coming off season-ending knee surgery, and has been brought along slowly. He's yet to appear in a spring game. Grandal hit .216/.352/.341 in 88 at-bats prior to his injury last year.

Padres catcher Yasmani Grandal is not ready to play in games yet, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune.

Grandal is coming off season-ending knee surgery, and he will not catch in games any time soon. Once he's ready to debut, Grandal will likely do so as a hitter. When he's able to catch back to back games, the team will consider carrying him on the 25-man roster. 

Grandal hit .216/.352/.341 in 88 at-bats last season.

Mets manager Terry Collins said he's eager to see catcher prospect Kevin Plawecki in action this spring, according to ESPN.

"I'd like to see him catch, because just watching him in BP, he has a clue," Collins said. "He squares it up pretty good. And it's loud. So I'm real impressed with what I've seen at the plate. I'd like to see him catch and throw a little bit. You know, this guy came from a major college program. Player of the Year in the Big Ten, that's a pretty big statement."

Plawecki was a standout offensive player in his first full pro season in 2013, batting .305 with a .390 on-base percentage, .448 slugging percentage, .838 OPS, eight home runs, 38 doubles and 80 RBI in 125 games between two levels of Class A.

Collins sees Plawecki long term as a catcher and not shifting to another defensive position.

"I think he's going to be a catcher, and I think he's going to be a good offensive catcher," Collins said. "If you can produce your own catchers, those are big."

Bryan Price has shot down any speculation that he will use a platoon at catcher in 2014. Devin Mesoraco is his starter. Price even ended talk that Brayan Pena could work with particular pitchers. But he added that Pena will receive playing time with the Reds to take advantage of his bat.

"I don't want to get into the setting 'Mesoraco is going to catch these three guys or four guys and Brayan is going catch these one or two,'" Price told the Cincinnati Enquirer. "Because I think there are going to be certain times when a matchup is going to be in our favor having Brayan back there as an offensive weapon."

The difference offensive was certainly striking last year, when Mesoraco batted a career-high .239 and Pena hit .297.

Reds manager Bryan Price announced Wednesday his projected batting order for when a right-handed pitcher is on the mound.

Price said Billy Hamilton will lead off, and he will be followed by Brandon Phillips, Joey Votto, Jay Bruce, Ryan Ludwick, Todd Frazier, Devin Mesoraco and Zack Cozart.

Price said he would likely switch Bruce and Ludwick in the lineup when a left-handed starter is on the hill. 

Price also reiterated he hasn't given much thought to batting Votto second.

Padres catcher Yasmani Grandal has drastically altered his stance, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune. 

Grandal said the aim of his new stance was to take some pressure of his surgically repaired knee. He's replaced a leg kick with a toe tap, and lowered his hands. The changes have been encouraging thus far, according to Grandal. "I hit a ball over the top of the batter’s eye [during batting practice]. I don’t think I’ve ever done that," Grandal said. Grandal is hoping the changes help his rediscover the success he had during his rookie season.

Last year, Grandal hit .216/.352/.341 in 88 at-bats in the majors. 

Brewers catcher Martin Maldonado has reported to camp 26 pounds lighter, according to MLB.com. 

Maldonado said he focused on eating right during the offseason, which led to the weight loss. He added that he's in the best shape of his life. Maldonado hit .169/.236/.284 in 183 at-bats last season. Maldonado will compete to backup Jonathan Lucroy.