MLB Player News

Stassi (hip) may not be ready to go by Opening Day, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Stassi underwent a hip procedure in late September that was expected to keep him out for 4-to-6 months. The back end of that window should have had him ready to go right around Opening Day, but he appears to be potentially a bit behind schedule since his availability for the start of the season is now in doubt.

The Nationals have declined Gomes' $9 million club option for 2020, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Gomes was acquired by the Nationals from the Indians in November 2018 and was the team's Opening Day starter behind the plate, but he split starting duties with Kurt Suzuki for most of the season. Suzuki was much more successful offensively (.810 OPS vs. Gomes .705 OPS) and was the regular starter in the playoffs until an injury. Gomes remains a plus-defender and figures to receive moderate interest in free agency.

Heim had his contract selected by the Athletics on Friday.

Oakland will protect Heim from the Rule 5 draft by placing him on the 40-man roster. He played in 35 games with Triple-A Las Vegas in 2019, hitting .358 with four homers and 19 RBI.

Wallach (concussion) was reinstated from the 60-day inured list Friday, Joe Frisaro of MLB.com reports.

Players can't spend the offseason on the injured list, so the move indicates nothing about Wallach's health. A concussion the catcher suffered in late May lingered for the rest of the season, and he played in just four rehab games the rest of the season, with just one of those coming after the All-Star break.

Grandal declined his $16 million dollar option in his contract for 2020 and will become a free agent, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.

The move was largely expected, as Grandal took a gamble by signing a short-term deal with the Brewers this past offseason rather than accepting a long-term contract. The 30-year-old had a career-high 28 home runs with an .848 OPS that was his highest mark since his first season in the majors. Given his output in 2019, Grandal should get a large contract this offseason and play a major role in a team's offense.

Gomes is in the starting lineup for Game 7 of the World Series against the Astros on Wednesday.

Kurt Suzuki (hip) was initially listed as the starter for Wednesday's game, but he was scratched and Gomes will take his place, batting eighth. While Suzuki has been sidelined since Game 3 of the World Series with a left hip flexor issue, Gomes has gone 3-for-12 with a double and two strikeouts.

Maldonado went 1-for-1 with a solo home run Wednesday in a 12-3 loss to the Nationals in Game 2 of the World Series.

Maldonado entered the game in the top of the seventh after Kyle Tucker had pinch hit for starting catcher Robinson Chirinos. He homered off Javy Guerra in the ninth to round out the scoring, his second extra-base hit and first home run of the playoffs. A trade-deadline acquisition from the Cubs, Maldonado hit just .202 for the Astros during the regular season but did pop six home runs in his 27 games with the team.

Sanchez went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Thursday's 8-3 loss to the Astros in Game 4 of the ALCS.

Sanchez took Josh James deep in the sixth inning to pull the Yankees to within 6-3. He had entered the game with just two hits in 21 postseason at-bats, and Thursday's homer was his first extra-base knock. If the Yankees are going to stay alive in this series, a hot streak from Sanchez would be a big help.

Perez underwent arthroscopic surgery Thursday to remove bone spurs from his right ankle.

The surgery appears to have been successful, and Perez is expected to be ready for unrestricted baseball activity by the start of spring training. The 30-year-old hit .239/.321/.452 with a career-high 24 home runs and 63 RBI in 2019.

Heineman was outrighted to Triple-A New Orleans on Wednesday, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

The 28-year-old appeared in just five games after being promoted to the majors, recording a .909 OPS with one home run. Heineman amassed a .336/.400/.590 slash line with 13 home runs and 38 RBI in 73 games at the Triple-A level last season.