MLB Player News

Wallach (quadriceps) will start at catcher and bat eighth in Sunday's spring game against the Braves.

Wallach has been battling the quad injury since Feb. 28 but will make his return to the lineup Sunday. The 25-year-old has a chance to showcase himself while Jorge Alfaro continues to battle knee inflammation, though the team still expects Alfaro to be ready for Opening Day.

The Marlins are hopeful that Wallach (quadriceps) will be ready to rejoin the Grapefruit League lineup Sunday versus the Braves, the Associated Press reports.

Wallach's impending return is a welcome development for the Marlins with top catcher Jorge Alfaro sidelined indefinitely with right knee inflammation. With Alfaro's availability for Opening Day now in peril, Wallach could have the opportunity to step in as the Marlins' No. 1 option behind the plate if health isn't an issue. Non-roster invitee Bryan Holaday could also share catching duties with Wallach if Alfaro is sidelined to begin the season.

Grandal went 1-for-2 with a walk in Friday's spring game.

Grandal's hit was his second of the spring in 14 at-bats. While he has not been making a lot of contact during the exhibition season, he has been getting on base, walking six times already. After joining the Brewers in January, Grandal is lined up to be the team's primary catcher when the regular season gets underway.

Jackson has made a strong impression on the Braves' coaching staff and could break camp on the 25-man roster, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

With a fairly light early schedule that features plenty of off days, Atlanta could carry an extra bench player instead of loading up its pitching staff, creating an opening for Jackson on the roster that would allow the club to use Tyler Flowers and Brian McCann as pinch hitters. Jackson's stay in the majors would likely be brief, but it's clear the 23-year-old still has a place in the organization's future plans despite his rough 2018 at the plate for Double-A Mississippi and Triple-A Gwinnett.

Casali (hip) will have his first spring training game behind the plate on Sunday, March 10th, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Casali went 1-for-2 as the DH on Thursday against the Mariners in his first spring training game action. Barring any setbacks when he returns to catching, it appears that he's on track to be ready for Opening Day.

Casali (hip) is leading off and serving as the designated hitter Thursday against the Mariners.

Reports that Casali would only miss about a week with the hip injury turned out to be accurate. He is apparently getting eased back into action as the DH, and it remains to be seen when he will return to catching in games.

Caratini went 1-for-2 with a walk and a solo home run in Wednesday's Cactus League game against the Royals.

It was the first home run of the spring for Caratini, who hit just two last season in 181 at-bats to go along with a .232/.293/.304 line. Despite mediocre numbers a season ago, the 25-year-old still projects as an above-average offensive catcher, though playing time could remain sparse behind regular starter Willson Contreras.

Nido underwent Lasik surgery in the offseason, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

The 24-year-old had noticed his vision growing blurrier over the last couple of seasons, particularly when turning his head to hit, prompting the procedure. "Going from seeing everything blurry to now seeing everything detailed, that's what I'm getting used to now," Nido said. "It's a night and day change." The acquisition of Wilson Ramos cuts off any chance Nido had of breaking camp with the Mets, and he's expected to begin the season at Triple-A Syracuse. Even so, neither Ramos nor Travis d'Arnaud is exactly an ironman, so Nido could see his share of action in the majors in 2019.

Diaz (virus) will be examined by team doctors within the next day, John Perrotto of DK Pittsburgh Sports reports.

Director of medicine Todd Tomczyk updated Diaz's status, saying that the catcher is feeling good and in good spirits. With Opening Day less than three weeks away, it wouldn't be surprising to see Diaz land on the injured list for the start of the season. He has yet to play this spring. Jacob Stallings or Steve Baron would likely serve as the team's backup catcher behind starter Francisco Cervelli if Diaz is forced to miss time.

Mejia was 3-for-3 with a double, a solo home run and two RBI in Tuesday's spring game against the Mariners.

Mejia cracked his first homer of the spring to lead off the fourth inning against Mike Leake. The 23-year-old is 8-for-16 with three doubles and one home run in spring training.