MLB Player News

McCann has gone just 4-for-24 through eight Grapefruit League games.

McCann has two doubles, one RBI and a run in spring games so far. Despite the lackluster batting, the veteran catcher is a lock for the Orioles' Opening Day roster as Adley Rutschman's backup, though the veteran could also see some action at first base. McCann may struggle to match the 61 games he played last year, which also saw him post a career-worst .195/.257/.282 slash line, but his veteran presence should be a stabilizing force in the clubhouse for a team that's ready to introduce a large number of prospects to the majors.

Herrera was optioned to Triple-A Memphis by the Cardinals on Thursday.

The backup catcher role behind Willson Contreras will likely come down to Andrew Knizner and Tres Barrera. Herrera, 22, went 2-for-18 (.111) in his first taste of MLB action last year.

Manager Skip Schumaker said Wednesday that Fortes will begin the season splitting catching duties with Jacob Stallings, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

It's not entirely clear how the workload will be divided, however. Stallings has the better defensive reputation -- something he bolstered in 2022 when he was behind the plate for every one of Sandy Alcantara's starts as the right-hander won the NL Cy Young Award -- but Fortes offers more upside at the plate, posting a .696 OPS to Stallings' .584 last season, Fortes has had a decent camp so far, and while he's still looking for his first extra-base hit of the spring, he's gone 4-for-16 with five walks against only one strikeout.

Manager Skip Schumaker said Wednesday that Stallings will begin the season in a timeshare at catcher with Nick Fortes, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Stallings' skills behind the plate remain stellar, and the 33-year-old caught every one of Sandy Alcantara's starts in 2022 as the right-hander put together a Cy Young campaign. His .584 OPS was a disappointment, however, and Stallings will need to rebound if he's going to have much fantasy appeal. He's gone just 1-for-15 at the plate this spring but has yet to strike out while drawing three walks, suggesting he's been the victim of some bad luck rather than struggling with his timing.

Nido went 1-for-2 with a solo home run in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals.

Getting the start behind the plate and hitting sixth, Nido took Drew VerHagen deep in the fifth inning. It's the backstop's third homer this spring, and he's gone 10-for-26 (.385) in Grapefruit League action while adding a couple doubles as well. The 28-year-old will split time behind the plate with Omar Narvaez this season, likely filling the short side of a platoon, but Nido's career .220/.257/.323 slash line in 744 plate appearances doesn't suggest an offensive breakout is imminent.

Stubbs (knee) said Thursday that he expects to be ready for Opening Day, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Stubbs had to bow out of a stint with Team Israel in the World Baseball Classic with what has since been diagnosed as a mild right knee sprain. He has exactly two weeks to get healthy in preparation for filling the backup catcher role behind J.T. Realmuto in Philly.

The Giants reassigned Bailey to minor-league camp Wednesday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

The decision to send down the 23-year-old backstop hardly comes as a surprise, as Bailey has yet to advance past High-A ball. Bailey slashed .225/.342/.419 through 325 plate appearances with High-A Eugene last season and could kick off the 2023 campaign there as well, but there's also a solid chance he gets bumped up to Double-A Richmond for Opening Day.

Marchan is nursing a bruised right hamate bone in Phillies camp, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

That explains why Marchan hasn't played in a Grapefruit League game since last Tuesday. He can't hit right now, per Gelb, and it's unclear whether this issue might linger into the regular season. Garrett Stubbs (knee) is also currently sidelined, so the Phillies are down their No. 2 and No. 3 catchers with Opening Day fast approaching.

Quero was reassigned to minor-league camp by the Angels on Tuesday.

Quero is one of the organization's better prospects but won't turn 20 until next month and needs more development time. He collected a .965 OPS with 17 homers and 12 steals at Low-A Inland Empire in 2022 and will probably move up to High-A Tri-City to start 2023.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Wednesday that Wong (hamstring) could return to the Grapefruit League lineup next week, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Wong looks to be nearly recovered from the left hamstring strain he suffered March 2, as he's been able to do some catching in addition to taking part in batting practice in recent days. The 26-year-old may have to prove that the hamstring injury isn't hindering him on the basepaths before he's formally cleared for game action, but for the time being, he looks as though he'll avoid a stint on the injured list to open the season. However, because of the extensive time he missed during camp, Wong may be on the outside looking in for a spot on Boston's Opening Day roster and could be optioned to Triple-A Worcester to begin the campaign.