MLB Player News

Stephenson is expected to catch about 65 games for the Reds this season, manager David Bell told Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer on Thursday.

The plan is for Stephenson to catch four out of every 10 games and also make three starts at designated hitter and two at first base during that span. Bell said that the team already has every game planned out, although circumstances can obviously change. Just 65 games seems like an awfully low number for your starting catcher, but it should certainly give Stephenson a better shot to stay healthy after he was limited to just 50 contests in 2022. It's welcomed news for his fantasy outlook. The Reds also have Curt Casali, Luke Maile and Austin Romine, so they have other options at catcher. Stephenson's season ended last year with a fractured clavicle, but he enters camp without restrictions.

Tigers manager A.J. Hinch doesn't believe that Rogers (elbow) will have any restrictions to begin 2023, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Rogers has already been able to catch bullpens in Florida, and Hinch told reporters that the backstop sent him photos making throws at a variety of angles. He missed the 2022 season while rehabbing from Tommy John surgery that occurred in 2021. Assuming continued good health, Rogers should be the primary backup for Eric Haase during the 2023 campaign.

Rogers (elbow) was spotted catching Matthew Boyd's bullpen session at Monday's spring training workout and appears to be at full health ahead of the 2023 season, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Though Rogers missed the entire 2022 season while rehabbing from September 2021 Tommy John surgery, he was cleared to resume full hitting last summer. However, he wasn't able to start a throwing progression until the fall, but the 27-year-old backstop appears to be in sound health at the start of spring training. He'll be competing in camp for a spot on the Tigers' Opening Day roster as the top backup to presumptive No. 1 catcher Eric Haase.

Plawecki signed a minor-league contract with the Pirates on Sunday that includes an invitation to big-league spring training, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Though he won't be heading into spring training as a member of the Pirates' 40-man roster, Plawecki may be in the best position to make the Opening Day squad as the No. 2 backstop behind Austin Hedges. Beyond Hedges, prospect Endy Rodriguez is the only other catcher on the 40-man roster, but the 22-year-old doesn't have any prior big-league experience and has three minor-league options remaining, making him a strong candidate to head to Triple-A Indianapolis to begin the year. Plawecki, meanwhile, owns a .235/.313/.341 slash line (80 wRC+) over parts of eight seasons in the majors, though he's coming off a rough 2022 campaign in which he spent time with both the Red Sox and Rangers organizations.

It was announced Thursday that Sanchez will play for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Sanchez surprisingly remains a free agent with the start of spring training just over the horizon, but the 30-year-old power-hitting catcher at least has a team for the WBC. He batted .205/.282/.377 with 16 home runs and 61 RBI in 128 games last season with the Twins.

Collins signed a minor-league contract Thursday with the Guardians which includes an invitation to major-league spring training.

Collins struggled to a .155/.231/.320 batting line in 36 major-league games last season between the Blue Jays and Pirates. The 28-year-old catcher seems unlikely to make the Cleveland's Opening Day roster since he sits firmly behind Mike Zunino and Bo Naylor on the depth chart.

Wynns, who was outrighted off the Giants' 40-man roster Jan. 12, will attend MLB spring training.

Though he was moved off the Giants' 40-man roster during the offseason, the four-year MLB veteran didn't elect free agency and ultimately chose to stick around in the organization. He'll likely get the chance to compete for the top backup role behind No. 1 catcher Joey Bart, with fellow non-roster invitee Roberto Perez likely representing his top competition for the gig. Wynns saw action in 66 games for San Francisco in 2022, slashing .259/.313/.358 with three home runs and 21 RBI across 177 plate appearances.

Rodriguez will be on the major-league side of Pirates' camp this spring, per Justice delos Santos of MLB.com.

One of the top position-player prospects in the sport, Rodriguez slashed .323/.407/.590 with 25 home runs and 95 RBI in 125 games last season between High-A Greensboro, Double-A Altoona and Triple-A Indianapolis. The 22-year-old catcher seems doubtful to actually make the Opening Day roster in Pittsburgh, but he is certainly on the fast track to making his MLB debut.

Raleigh (thumb) said Wednesday that he had no issues while catching a bullpen session Tuesday for pitcher Marco Gonzales, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Raleigh mentioned that he has more rehab and strengthening work to do before being cleared for full baseball activities, but the fact that the surgically repaired left thumb isn't hindering him from catching is a positive sign at the onset of spring training. The switch-hitting backstop underwent surgery in the fall after he played through the broken thumb and a torn ligament in his left hand late in the regular season and during Seattle's postseason run. Raleigh, who hit 27 home runs and batted .211 in 415 plate appearances in 2022, appears on track to be ready for Opening Day, but he may not be formally cleared until he appears in a Cactus League game.

Perez agreed to a contract with the Giants on Sunday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Perez played in just 21 games for Pittsburgh last season before he ruptured his right hamstring and underwent season-ending surgery. The 34-year-old could open 2023 by splitting playing time with Joey Bart, who had a .660 OPS in his first full season as a starter behind the plate last year.