MLB Player News

The Marlins are hopeful that Wallach (quadriceps) will be ready to rejoin the Grapefruit League lineup Sunday versus the Braves, the Associated Press reports.

Wallach's impending return is a welcome development for the Marlins with top catcher Jorge Alfaro sidelined indefinitely with right knee inflammation. With Alfaro's availability for Opening Day now in peril, Wallach could have the opportunity to step in as the Marlins' No. 1 option behind the plate if health isn't an issue. Non-roster invitee Bryan Holaday could also share catching duties with Wallach if Alfaro is sidelined to begin the season.

Gallagher is no longer expected to be the Royals' starting catcher after the team signed Martin Maldonado on Saturday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

Gallagher temporarily seemed to be in line for a starting gig after Salvador Perez underwent season-ending surgery Wednesday, but that role was always contingent on the Royals not bringing in an external option. It's still possible Gallagher could carve out a significant role, as Maldonado is a veteran unlikely to be around more than one year who owns a career 72 wRC+.

Zavala (quadriceps) is available off the bench for Saturday's Cactus League game against the Rangers, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Zavala has been limited to just three at-bats this spring while tending to the strained left quad. It's unclear if the White Sox plan on using him Saturday, but the team's decision to make him available suggests that there's no longer much concern about the injury. Zavala is expected to open the upcoming season at Triple-A Charlotte.

Maldonado and the Royals came to terms Saturday on a one-year, $2.5 million contract, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports. The deal includes an additional $1.4 million in incentives.

After Kansas City lost top catcher Salvador Perez (elbow) to season-ending Tommy John surgery earlier this spring, the club wasted little time on checking in with Maldonado, the top option at the position still on the open market. The two sides were able to strike a deal fairly quickly, so Maldonado should have enough time to get in enough defensive work and at-bats over the next couple weeks to ensure he'll be ready for Opening Day. The 2017 Gold Glove winner will make his greatest impact on the defensive end, but the likelihood that he'll handle the majority of the starts behind the dish for Kansas City gives him some appeal as a second catcher in AL-only formats or deeper mixed leagues that start two backstops.

Grandal went 1-for-2 with a walk in Friday's spring game.

Grandal's hit was his second of the spring in 14 at-bats. While he has not been making a lot of contact during the exhibition season, he has been getting on base, walking six times already. After joining the Brewers in January, Grandal is lined up to be the team's primary catcher when the regular season gets underway.

Rupp was traded from the Giants to the Tigers for cash considerations Friday, Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Rupp was in Giants' camp as a non-roster invitee but didn't have a clear path to a roster spot. He'd have to beat out John Hicks for a job in Detroit, though the Tigers could carry three catchers as Hicks is expected to spend time at first base. Rupp was stuck in the minors last season but owns a respectable (for a catcher) .234/.298/.407 line over parts of five seasons in the big leagues.

Jackson has made a strong impression on the Braves' coaching staff and could break camp on the 25-man roster, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

With a fairly light early schedule that features plenty of off days, Atlanta could carry an extra bench player instead of loading up its pitching staff, creating an opening for Jackson on the roster that would allow the club to use Tyler Flowers and Brian McCann as pinch hitters. Jackson's stay in the majors would likely be brief, but it's clear the 23-year-old still has a place in the organization's future plans despite his rough 2018 at the plate for Double-A Mississippi and Triple-A Gwinnett.

Stassi went 2-for-2 with an RBI in Thursday's game against the Marlins.

Stassi looked like a find during the first part of 2018 before his offense fell off over the second half. He'll be looking to sustain his bat over the entire season but will do so as a backup to Robinson Chirinos.

Casali (hip) will have his first spring training game behind the plate on Sunday, March 10th, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Casali went 1-for-2 as the DH on Thursday against the Mariners in his first spring training game action. Barring any setbacks when he returns to catching, it appears that he's on track to be ready for Opening Day.

Narvaez went 3-for-3 with a two-run home run and two runs scored Thursday against Cincinnati.

Narvaez went deep in the first inning to get his team on the scoreboard, belting his first homer of spring training. The 27-year-old is 4-for-18 at the dish thus far and projects as Seattle's starting catcher after being shipped over from the White Sox during the offseason.