MLB Player News

Sanchez was checked on by trainers after taking a foul tip off his right wrist in the fifth inning against the Rays on Monday, but he was able to stay in the game, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Sanchez's first throw to the mound following the incident went out to second base, but the backstop indicated that he was fine and was able to finish out the game, going 0-for-4 in the loss. There doesn't appear to be much risk of Sanchez missing time due to this particular injury.

Garver (right intercostal strain) isn't close to returning soon, La Velle E. Neal III of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

The Tiwns announced late last week that Garver wasn't going to come off the 10-day IL after he was eligible and it doesn't sound like he's made any significant progress since then. Ryan Jeffers and Alex Avila will continue to split catching duties with Garver out.

Grullon was designated for assignment Monday.

The Phillies needed to clear a 40-man roster spot for Ranger Suarez, who was activated from the COVID-19 injured list. Grullon hit .283/.354/.496 with 21 home runs at Triple-A last season, but his defense behind the plate leaves a lot to be desired.

D'Arnaud isn't in Monday's lineup against the Red Sox.

D'Arnaud will take a seat for the second time in the past three games after going 1-for-5 with one run, one RBI and three strikeouts Sunday. Tyler Flowers will start behind the plate.

Angels manager Joe Maddon said Monday that Stassi (quadriceps, knee) is "somewhat close" to being activated from the 10-day injured list, but the skipper was unwilling to put a target date on the catcher's return, Maria Torres of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Stassi is recovering from a right quad strain and a bruised right knee, injuries he sustained when he fouled a ball off himself in an Aug. 20 game. His absence looms larger after the Angels traded top catcher Jason Castro to the Padres on Sunday, so journeyman Anthony Bemboom looks poised to serve as the team's primary option behind the dish until Stassi is ready to go. Based on Maddon's comments, Stassi seems likely to remain out at least until the weekend.

Mariners manager Scott Servais said Monday that Murphy (foot) has yet to resume baseball activities, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

Though the Mariners dealt backstop Austin Nola to San Diego on Sunday, the move didn't foreshadow an impending return for Murphy, who appeared positioned to open the season as Seattle's top catcher before fracturing his left foot during summer camp. While his placement on the 45-day injured list makes him eligible to return in the first week of September, Murphy doesn't appear close to being ready for game action. Unless Murphy makes demonstrable progress in his recovery in the next week or two, he looks to be at risk of missing the entire season.

Higashioka (oblique) is "really close" to being ready to return and could do so in the next few days, Brendan Kuty of NJ Advance Media reports.

Higashioka has been on the injured list since Aug. 8 but has recently begun to ramp up his activity. "Kyle's really close. I would expect him to be joining us in the next couple of days," manager Aaron Boone indicated Sunday. Kuty notes that the Yankees could be faced with having to either designate current backup catcher Erik Kratz for assignment or keep three catchers on the squad when Higashioka returns.

Hedges was traded from San Diego to Cleveland on Monday as part of a six-player package for Mike Clevinger, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

The Padres completely overhauled their catching depth chart Sunday, acquiring both Jason Castro and Austin Nola, leaving Hedges as surplus to requirements. The 28-year-old remains clearly a glove-first backstop, as his career slash line now sits at .199/.257/.359 midway through his sixth big-league campaign. He has just a .591 OPS this season, though Cleveland's incumbent catchers, Roberto Perez and Sandy Leon, have marks of .442 and .527, respectively, so he could have a shot to carve out a meaningful role.

Smith went 1-for-3 with two walks, a solo home run and three runs scored Sunday against the Rangers.

Smith had a busy day at the plate, beginning in the second inning when he slugged his fourth home run of the season. He also crossed the plate in the sixth and eighth innings, both times after reaching base on a free pass. Smith is now hitting .208/.371/.521 with 11 runs scored and 11 RBI across 62 plate appearances.

Nola was traded from the Mariners to the Padres on Sunday in exchange for catcher Luis Torrens, among others, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Nola is the second catcher that the Padres traded for Sunday, but his defensive versatility throughout the infield should allow him to carve out a role in San Diego. Prior to sitting Sunday, Nola had started in 12 consecutive games for the Mariners and he's hit .306/.373/.531 with five home runs and 19 RBI to begin the season. Joseph Odom could take over as the new starting catcher in Seattle.