MLB Player News

The Tigers optioned Sands to Triple-A Toledo on Friday, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Sands slashed just .214/.241/.250 over 29 plate appearances this spring, so he will return to Triple-A and attempt to right himself in the minors. If he can replicate his .841 OPS in Triple-A from last season, he has a decent shot at returning to the big leagues at some point in 2023.

Sabol is expected to be part of the Giants' Opening Day roster, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Sabol has torched Cactus League pitching with a 1.173 OPS and three home runs. He is in line to operate as the Giants' third catcher and also should see some run in the outfield, especially with the club battling injuries there.

Sanchez continues to look for a MLB opportunity despite a lackluster performance at the World Baseball Classic, Randy Miller of the Newark Star-Ledger reports. "I think Gary will sign with somebody," former Yankee teammate Luis Severino said. "He's been waiting to see the best option."

Sanchez went 0-for-5 with three strikeouts and one walk for the Dominican Republic in the WBC. While it was a very small sample size, it didn't create any buzz for him in free agency. He'll likely need to sign a Triple-A contract and play in the minors initially this season.

Plawecki was released by the Pirates on Thursday, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

The Pirates haven't made an official announcement, but Plawecki's locker was cleaned out after he was informed he wouldn't make the club. The backup catcher job behind Austin Hedges will now go to either Jason Delay or Tyler Heineman.

Caratini is 9-for-23 (.391) with a home run, three RBI and a 3:3 BB:K through 10 appearances this spring.

Caratini owns a .932 OPS over 98 career exhibition games, so his hot spring is not particularly surprising. It has, though, ensured he will break camp as the backup catcher behind William Contreras.

Bethancourt has only two hits in 14 at-bats during Grapefruit League play.

Bethancourt has a roster spot locked up, but his portion of playing time is undetermined. Francisco Mejia is the other half of the duo behind the plate for the Rays, and he has also struggled this spring. The result could be an even split of playing time between Mejia and Bethancourt to begin the regular season.

Mejia has only three hits across 18 at-bats in Grapefruit League action.

Mejia also played for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic, though he managed only one hit in seven at-bats at the tournament. His slow spring performance won't jeopardize his spot on the Rays' roster, and Christian Bethancourt -- Mejia's primary competition for playing time -- has also struggled this spring. The duo could equally split time behind the dish to begin the regular season as a result.

Knizner will open the season as the Cardinals' backup catcher, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Knizner has gone just 4-for-42 (.095) through 14 games this spring in the Grapefruit League, but he still managed to fend off a challenge from Tres Barrera. It probably came down to experience in the end, as Knizner was the locked-in backup to Yadier Molina the last two years. He'll now fill the same role behind offseason addition Willson Contreras.

Murphy (forearm) is back in the Mariners' lineup for Thursday's Cactus League tilt versus the Reds, Shannon Drayer of Seattle Sports 710 AM reports.

Murphy has had some left forearm tightness this week but is ready to go now. He's in line to serve as Cal Raleigh's backup this season.

Godoy signed a minor-league contract Wednesday with the Yankees.

Godoy was released from Angels camp last week and has already found a new home. The 28-year-old journeyman catcher is a career .123/.194/.140 hitter in 62 total plate appearances at the major-league level. He'll open the 2023 season at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.