MLB Player News

Contreras went 2-for-3 with a double, a run and an RBI in Tuesday's Cactus League loss to the Angels.

Contreras is off to a great start this spring, slashing .385/.467/.923 through 13 at-bats with two home runs, six runs scored and six RBI. The young catcher didn't quite live up to preseason expectations in 2018, but the talent is certainly there for him to rebound and be an elite option at the position in 2019.

Perez (elbow) will undergo Tommy John surgery Wednesday after a second opinion confirmed the damage to his UCL, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

Perez headed to Dr. Neal ElAttrache for the second opinion and is now set to go under the knife after the diagnosis was confirmed. The injury was originally believed to be minor but will instead put an end to the 28-year-old's 2019 season prior to Opening Day. Cameron Gallagher is set to take over at catcher for the Royals with Meibrys Viloria next on the depth chart, assuming the team doesn't make any late roster additions.

D'Arnaud is scheduled to play catcher in a "B" game Thursday, Deesha Thosar of the New York Daily News reports.

D'Arnaud is being eased into action this spring as he works his way back from Tommy John surgery. After being limited to DH duties through his first two Grapefruit League appearances, d'Arnaud has been cleared to set up behind the dish for the first time this spring. Barring any setbacks, the 30-year-old should open the season as the backup to Wilson Ramos.

D'Arnaud went 1-for-3 with an RBI in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals.

Seeing his first action in nearly a year due to Tommy John surgery, d'Arnaud slotted in at DH and quickly showed the offensive side of his game was A-OK. The next step will be to show he can handle his defensive duties, but if he has no setbacks this spring, the 30-year-old figures to begin the season as the Mets' No. 2 catcher behind Wilson Ramos.

Heim was reassigned to minor-league camp Sunday, Jane Lee of MLB.com reports.

Heim made it to Double-A Midland a season ago, but he failed to find much success at the dish. He slashed .182/.238/.234 with a home run and 11 RBI over 39 games. Heim appears likely to start the 2019 campaign with the same RockHounds group.

D'Arnaud (elbow) will make his spring debut Sunday as expected, Deesha Thosar of the New York Daily News reports.

The Mets have held d'Arnaud out up to this point of the spring in order to let him complete his recovery from the Tommy John procedure he underwent last April, but he is finally ready to get back on the field. D'Arnaud will be eased into action, and will serve as the Mets' designated hitter Sunday while occupying the third spot in the lineup.

D'Arnaud (elbow) will return to the lineup as a designated hitter Sunday against the Cardinals, Matt Ehalt of The Bergen Record reports.

The Mets have handled d'Arnaud carefully as he works his way back from Tommy John surgery, but returning Sunday should give him enough time to compete for an Opening Day spot. He'll be battling Devin Mesoraco for the backup catcher job behind Wilson Ramos.

Gallagher could start a larger-than-expected number of games this season, as Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports that starting catcher Salvador Perez is likely to require Tommy John surgery.

Assuming Perez does indeed undergo the procedure, he'll miss the entirety of the 2019 season. Gallagher currently appears to have an unquestioned role as the next in line, though the Royals could move to bring in another catcher. Gallagher's .206/.250/.302 line last season seems to make that an appealing alternative, though that line did come in a small sample of just 69 plate appearances, so it's possible he has room to improve. Martin Maldonado is the top remaining free-agent catcher and could be brought in to split time, though the Royals may be fine with giving at-bats to Gallagher as a younger, in-house option.

Leon went 1-for-2 with a two-run homer in Friday's game against the Twins.

Leon is in a three-way battle for two spots on Boston's roster. Christian Vazquez is expected to be the starting catcher, leaving Leon and Blake Swihart vying for the backup job. The Red Sox have stated they are looking to trade one of their backstops, and the recent injury to Kansas City's Salvador Perez (elbow) could trigger talks between the two teams.

Sanchez went 0-for-2 with a strikeout in his Grapefruit League debut Friday against the Orioles.

Sanchez struck out in his first at-bat before flying out in his second and final trip to the plate Friday. More important is the fact that Sanchez played four innings behind the dish and reported no issues, which should ease concerns over his surgically repaired left shoulder. He's expected to start at catcher again Sunday.