MLB Player News

Higashioka will likely begin the 2022 campaign in the short side of a platoon after the Yankees acquired Ben Rortvedt from the Twins on Sunday, Jack Curry of YES Network reports.

Higashioka will no longer have to compete for playing time with Gary Sanchez after he was dealt to the Twins as part of Sunday's trade, but he'll gain increased competition at catcher from Rortvedt, who saw his first taste of major-league action in 2021 and appeared in 39 games behind Mitch Garver and Ryan Jeffers. Neither backstop has been particularly productive while splitting time early in their careers, so it's possible that one of them could shift into a primary role behind the plate if they perform well early in 2022.

Rortvedt, Josh Donaldson and Isiah Kiner-Falefa were traded from the Twins to the Yankees on Saturday in exchange for Gary Sanchez and Gio Urshela.

Rortvedt finished the 2021 campaign on the injured list at Triple-A St. Paul, but he should be fully healthy heading into spring training. The 24-year-old struggled to find consistent at-bats behind Mitch Garver and Ryan Jeffers in Minnesota, and he slashed .169/.229/.281 with three homers, eight runs and seven RBI across 39 appearances during his first taste of major-league action last year. Now that Sanchez is in Minnesota, the Yankees plan to utilize Rortvedt on the strong side of a platoon to begin the 2022 season, while Kyle Higashioka should see most of the playing time against left-handed pitchers.

Sanchez and Gio Urshela were traded from the Yankees to the Twins on Sunday in exchange for Josh Donaldson, Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Ben Rortvedt, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.

After bursting onto the scene early in his career, Sanchez has had some issues with contact across the last several years, hitting just .201 across the last four seasons. Despite splitting time with Kyle Higashioka in recent years, the 29-year-old Sanchez has still hit double-digit home runs in each of his major-league seasons since 2016. While Sanchez should have the chance to compete with Ryan Jeffers for playing time behind the dish after the Twins traded Mitch Garver to the Rangers on Saturday, Minnesota plans to use the 29-year-old as a designated hitter and backup catcher to begin his time with the club, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

Rutschman will serve as a non-roster invitee for the Orioles during spring training in 2022, Dan Connolly of The Athletic reports.

Rutschman's invitation to big-league camp doesn't come as a surprise after he had a strong showing across 33 games at Triple-A Norfolk in 2021. During his time in Norfolk, Baltimore's top prospect slashed .312/.405/.490 with five homers, 25 runs, 20 RBI and two stolen bases. The 24-year-old will be a strong contender for the Orioles' starting job behind the dish on Opening Day, but it's also possible that the team sends him back to Triple-A to begin the year in an attempt to manipulate his service time.

The Giants claimed Godoy off waivers from the Mariners on Sunday.

Though Godoy will presumably join the Giants for big-league spring training, he still has two minor-league options remaining and is most likely being targeted for the Triple-A Sacramento roster. The addition of Godoy helps the Giants shore up some organizational depth at catcher following the retirement of Buster Posey, who is expected to be replaced by Joey Bart as the team's everyday option behind the plate in 2022. Godoy had the chance to make his MLB debut last season with Seattle, playing in 16 games while hitting .162 with three RBI across 40 plate appearances.

Fry was traded to the Guardians from the Brewers on Sunday.

Milwaukee acquired J.C. Mejia from Cleveland in November, and Fry will serve as the player to be named later in order to complete the deal. Friday spent most of 2021 at the Double-A level and hit .248/.341/.447 with 11 homers and 41 RBI in 75 games before a late-season promotion to Triple-A.

The Mariners designated Godoy for assignment Sunday, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Seattle dropped both Godoy and lefty reliever Aaron Fletcher from the 40-man roster, presumably for the purpose of clearing up openings for potential free-agent signings or trade pickups. If Godoy passes through waivers unclaimed, he'll remain in the Seattle organization and provide catching depth at Triple-A Tacoma for the upcoming season. The 27-year-old backstop reached the majors for the first time in 2021, batting .162 across 40 plate appearances over 16 games with the Mariners.

Haase could work in a utility role this season, potentially working as a backup catcher as well as an option at first base and in the outfield, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

The Tigers acquired Tucker Barnhart in November, and he will likely serve as the team's No. 1 catcher. Haase figures to work as the primary backup, though Dustin Garneau is also in the mix. Haase also has the ability to play at first and in the corner outfield spots, which should help his playing time outlook. Haase popped a career-best 22 home runs in 2021, so he could be a decent fantasy option as long as he sees the field often enough.

Heineman agreed Sunday with the Blue Jays on a minor-league contract, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Heineman is expected to slot in as catching depth for Toronto at Triple-A Buffalo in 2022 after he spent the entire 2021 campaign between two Triple-A affiliates in Lehigh Valley and Memphis as a member of the Phillies and Cardinals organizations, respectively. The 30-year-old backstop has previously gotten tastes of the big leagues in the 2019 season with the Marlins and the 2020 season with the Giants, slashing a collective .208/.288/.302 over 62 career plate appearances.

Tromp returned to Atlanta on a minor-league contract Saturday, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.

Tromp was claimed off waivers from the Giants in late September last year but didn't get into a major-league game for his new organization. His .215/.220/.418 slash line in 33 career major-league games suggests he fits best as organizational depth.