MLB Player News

Grandal has a .902 OPS across 30 plate appearances during Cactus League action.

Grandal is coming off a disastrous 2022 season, during which he slashed just .202/.301/.269 across 376 plate appearances. While it's difficult to make the case for a 34-year-old catcher to bounce back, Grandal has had a promising spring performance that is highlighted by three doubles and a home run. He should head into the season as Chicago's starting backstop.

Rortvedt (shoulder) began running last week, but he's not close to being able to swing a bat, Randy Miller of NJ Advance Media reports.

Rortvedt underwent surgery on his left shoulder in late February. He was expected to be held out of baseball activities for at least a month, and he'll presumably need considerable time to ramp up once he's able to start swinging again. Rortvedt isn't expected to return to game action until at least May.

Realmuto went 2-for-3 with a double and scored a run Saturday for Team USA in a victory over Team Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic.

Realmuto has been on a tear in the WBC for Team USA, as the pair of hits raised his average to .625 with an .875 slugging percentage in the tournament. Even with an influx of talent at the position, Realmuto is still being drafted as the top catcher in most fantasy formats, and justifiably so.

Moreno (hand) doesn't believe his injury is serious, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

Moreno was hit in the hand by a 95.5 mph pitch during Saturday's Cactus League game, but the backstop said the pitch got him in the knuckles. He also said that he doesn't believe that he will undergo X-rays, but that could change if the hand swells up on him. Moreno should be considered day-to-day for now, and he appears to have avoided a serious injury.

Moreno left Saturday's Cactus League game against the Guardians after being hit by a pitch in the left hand/wrist area, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

Moreno was plunked by a 95.5 mph offering and immediately left the contest. The 23-year-old backstop will likely undergo testing, and there should be further updates on his status before Sunday.

Stassi appears set to win the starting catcher job for the Angels despite hitting just .231 with a .615 OPS in 13 at-bats this spring, MLB.com reports.

Stassi looks set to begin the season as the starter with Matt Thaiss and Logan O'Hoppe battling for the backup role, though Stassi could split time or platoon with Thaiss. While Stassi may begin the season as the starter, it seems just a matter of time before O'Hoppe takes over as the starter. O'Hoppe had a breakout season last year by hitting .283 with 26 home runs and a .961 OPS at Double-A which earned him a 14-game late-season call-up with the Angels.

Thaiss appears as a slight favorite to begin the season in the majors over Logan O'Hoppe, MLB.com reports.

Thaiss is hitting .389 with a 1.060 OPS in 18 at-bats this spring. He's competing with Logan O'Hoppe for the backup role to Max Stassi. O'Hoppe is a top prospect and the Angels may want him to play every day in the minors initially. Still, this job battle may come down to the final days of spring training.

O'Hoppe appears as an underdog to begin the season in the majors with Matt Thaiss (1.060 OPS) having a good spring, MLB.com reports. O'Hoppe is hitting .250 (5-for-20) with a home run this spring.

O'Hoppe is one of the team's top prospects, but the Angels may start him out in the minors. He's drawing good reviews overall this spring, so a decision on him making the Opening Day roster may come down to the wire. Either way, O'Hoppe seems like a candidate to be in the majors earlier rather than later this season. O'Hoppe had a breakout season last year by hitting .283 with 26 homers and a .961 OPS at Double-A which earned him a 14-game late-season call-up with the Angels.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone told reporters Saturday that Trevino (wrist) will catch Tuesday and Thursday, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Trevino has been sidelined with a right wrist sprain, but the backstop told reporters that he was confident he'd be ready for Opening Day, and the Yankees scheduling their starting backstop to play this early makes it all but a foregone conclusion. If there are any setbacks, New York will likely push back the right-handed hitter, but for now there should be no concern that Trevino will be ready to roll when the games matter.

Fortes left Friday's split-squad game against the Cardinals after two innings due to tendinitis in his right knee, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Per manager Skip Schumaker, the Marlins will re-evaluate Fortes on Saturday, but at this point his removal from the game seems precautionary. If the catcher ends up requiring an IL stint to begin the regular season, Austin Allen could break camp on the 26-man roster as the backup to Jacob Stallings.