MLB Player News

Perez tested positive for COVID-19 on Saturday, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

Perez is isolated from the team and asymptomatic, but he'll need to clear the league protocol before he's able to rejoin the team. The 30-year-old missed the entire 2019 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery, but he was able to return to the field during spring training.

Haase is one of six catchers in the Tigers' 60-man player pool this season.

Haase seemed to have a leg up on Grayson Greiner for the backup job before play was suspended, with Austin Romine set as the starter. Those three have been joined in camp by Jake Rogers, Brady Policelli and 2020 draftee Dillon Dingler. The latter group figures to work in more of a developmental fashion, though Rogers has appeared in the majors and could push both Haase and Greiner for playing time.

Plawecki and Jonathan Lucroy are competing to back up Christian Vazquez, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports.

Lucroy was initially left off the player pool while the Red Sox re-worked the language in his contract, which had an opt-out clause at the end of March. With the new language in place, Boston added him to the player pool, where Plawecki and Lucroy will resume the battle behind Vazquez. Both catchers had strong springs, and manager Ron Roenicke was believed to be trending toward keeping both on the roster.

Amaya will be a part of the Cubs' 60-man player pool and participate in summer camp in South Bend.

Amaya will be joined by 10 other players in South Bend, a group that will likely focus on development while MLB regulars train at Wrigley Field. The 21-year-old hasn't appeared above High-A and consequently isn't likely to make his way to the majors this season, but he could enhance his prospect stock if he looks good in camp.

Thole has been named part of the Yankees' 60-man roster.

Thole joined the Yankees on a minor-league deal in January and now finds himself filling the role of organizational depth behind the plate. The veteran has not logged a major-league at-bat since 2016, so he's unlikely to see much, if any, playing time this season.

Kirk will be a part of the Blue Jays' 60-man roster.

Kirk spent the majority of 2019 with High-A Dunedin, hitting .288/.395/.446 with four home runs and 36 RBI, which was good enough to earn him a spot in major-league camp this spring. The 21-year-old was effective in spring training in a limited sample, going 4-for-8 with four runs and two RBI before play was suspended. He'll get the chance to develop on the 60-man roster to begin the 2020 campaign.

Adams will be a part of the Blue Jays' 60-man roster.

Adams has progressed through the Blue Jays' minor-league system over his first three seasons since he was a third-round draft pick in 2017, and he was able to serve as a non-roster invitee this spring. While playing in big-league camp, the 24-year-old went 3-for-11 with three RBI and five strikeouts. He'll get the chance to further his development with the team's 60-man roster in 2020.

Rogers, who was added to the Tigers' 60-player pool Sunday, could get some MLB playing time in relief of Austin Romine and Eric Haase this season, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Rogers was optioned to Triple-A Toledo in March, and it seemed like he was destined to spend much of if not all of the 2020 season there. However, the 25-year-old is now technically back in the majors, and with 60 games coming up in just 66 days, the Tigers may end up needing three catchers. It still wouldn't be wise to expect much from Rogers in 2020 with Romine and Haase around, and 2020 draftee Dillon Dingler complicates his future outlook behind the plate in Detroit.

Perez is part of the Athletics' 60-man player pool that will report to summer camp, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

The veteran backstop will be one of five catchers in camp, but he's clearly no better than No. 4 on the positional depth chart behind Sean Murphy, Jonah Heim and Austin Allen. That trio is expected to make the 30-man Opening Day roster, which means Perez, who's on a minor-league contract, appears destined for the additional pool of up to 30 players that won't have active status but will continue to train in a separate location during the season.

Jeffers was added to the 60-man player pool ahead of training camp, MLB.com reports.

Jeffers made a strong impression in spring training before MLB was shut down due to the pandemic. After a breakout season at Double-A, he's a candidate to contribute in the majors this season if the Twins need a catcher. He'll likely begin the season at Minnesota's alternate training site.