MLB Player News

Vazquez (eye) and the Red Sox won't play the Orioles on Thursday after their Opening Day game was postponed due to rain, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

The two teams are now scheduled to play their season opener Friday, which was initially set to be an off day for both sides. Vazquez was sidelined late in the Red Sox's Grapefruit League schedule to an eye contusion and laceration, but he's expected to be behind the plate Friday, working in a battery with Nathan Eovaldi.

Barrera will be recalled from the Nationals' alternate site prior to Thursday's season opener against the Mets, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo revealed earlier Wednesday that one Washington player tested positive for COVID-19, with four of teammates and a staff member having since been identified as close contacts. Washington is expected to add five replacement players to the 26-man roster as a result, and Barrera's call-up would seem to suggest that at least one of the team's two catchers -- Yan Gomes and Alex Avila -- has been ruled out for Opening Day. Assuming one of Gomes or Avila is cleared to play Thursday, Barrera likely won't see much use as the No. 2 catcher during his time on the active roster.

The Blue Jays are expected to designate McGuire for assignment prior to Opening Day, Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic reports.

McGuire's fate was sealed after the Blue Jays informed Alejandro Kirk earlier this week that he would be included on the Opening Day roster as the No. 2 catcher behind Danny Jansen. Since the Blue Jays prefer to use their 26th and final active roster spot on a pitcher rather than a third catcher, McGuire -- who has no minor-league options remaining -- will likely be cast off the 40-man roster and exposed to waivers. The 26-year-old could have some appeal to other organizations who aren't satisfied with their current No. 2 options at catcher heading into Opening Day.

Smith went 1-for-2 with a solo home run and a walk Thursday in an exhibition victory over the Angels.

Smith's homer was his second in two days and third overall this spring. The backstop slashed .372/.438/.651 during Cactus League play, driving in 10 runs and posting a 4:6 BB:K across 45 plate appearances. He'll serve as the Dodgers' primary catcher during the regular season, though manager Dave Roberts has indicated that Smith and Austin Barnes won't be far apart in terms of games logged behind the plate.

Collins will be on the White Sox's Opening Day roster as expected, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Collins' path appeared to be clear after the White Sox released Jonathan Lucroy, and he will indeed open the year as Yasmani Grandal's backup. Fellow bat-first catcher Yermin Mercedes has also made the team. Both Collins and Mercedes could spend time at designated hitter if the White Sox go forward with their plan of using Andrew Vaughn in left field.

The Tigers reassigned Haase on Tuesday to their alternate training site in Toledo.

Haase will be joined at the alternate site by fellow backstop Dustin Garneau after both players missed out on winning either of the available catching jobs with Detroit this spring. Both Haase and Garneau are expected to be part of the Triple-A Toledo roster when the minor-league season begins in May.

Stubbs cleared the health and safety protocols and returned to workouts Tuesday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Stubbs was informed Monday that he won't be on the Opening Day roster, but that was seemingly unrelated to his temporary quarantine. Martin Maldonado and Jason Castro will be the Astros' primary catchers this season, with Stubbs filling in whenever there's an injury.

Huff (hamstring) is progressing and entering the final stages of rehab, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Huff will undergo one more MRI before ramping up to full activity. The power-hitting catching prospect made his MLB debut during the shortened 2020 season but skipped Double- and Triple-A to do it. The Rangers may have Huff start the season in the minors while Jose Trevino and Jonah Heim handle catching duties for Texas.

Contreras went 3-for-3 with a double, a home run and two runs scored in Monday's Cactus League game against the Diamondbacks.

The catcher finished the exhibition schedule with a flourish, bringing his spring slash line to a robust .317/.440/.756. Contreras batted second in this one and looks likely to slot in there during the regular season. With the likes of Ian Happ, Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant around him in the order, Contreras should be able to post strong numbers in 2021.

Campusano will open the season on the big-league roster while Austin Nola (finger) heads to the injured list, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Nola's injury isn't expected to keep him out long, and Campusano will be stuck behind Victor Caratini during his time on the roster, so he might not get the chance to make more than two or three starts before being sent back to the minors. Campusano could surface from time to time this season if Nola or Caratini gets hurt, but he's probably not yet ready to make a significant impact, as his one-game debut last season represents his only appearance to date above the High-A level.