MLB Player News

General manager Brodie Van Wagenen said d'Arnaud (elbow) is on track to be fully healthy for Opening Day, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

D'Arnaud underwent Tommy John surgery in April of 2018. While he's expected to be ready for the start of the 2019 campaign, it's unclear if he will be competing for a starting role with the Mets, as New York could choose to non-tender the backstop this winter given his injury history and underwhelming numbers since breaking into the majors in 2013 (.245/.306/.406 with 47 homers across parts of six seasons).

Perez was outrighted from the Rangers' 40-man roster Friday and is expected to elect free agency instead of accepting a minor-league assignment.

Perez spent a majority of the 2018 campaign with Texas after being designated for assignment by Atlanta in late April. In total, he played in 28 games, slashing just .143/.178/.214 with three RBI in 75 plate appearances. The 28-year-old will likely be on the look for a new home this winter.

Grandal was extended a one-year, $17.9 million qualifying offer by the Dodgers on Friday, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

Grandal will have 10 days to make a decision on this offer. The soon-to-be 30-year-old backstop played on a $7.9 million deal this past season and would head to the free-agent market by declining. Outside of Grandal's postseason missteps -- especially on the defensive front -- he provided great value for Los Angeles in 2018, hitting .241/.349/.466 with 24 home runs and 68 RBI in 140 games.

Moore was removed from the Rays' 40-man roster Thursday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Moore and fellow catcher Jesus Sucre were cast off the team's 40-man roster in order to clear space for younger prospects in need of protection from the upcoming Rule 5 draft. The veteran backstop appeared in just eight games for Tampa Bay in 2018, hitting .222/.263/.444 with one homer.

Realmuto's agent, Jeff Berry, said that he doesn't expect the backstop to be with the Marlins in 2019, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports. "I think he will definitely be wearing a different uniform by the start of spring training," the agent told MLB Network Radio on Tuesday.

Berry made it clear that Realmuto, who is eligible for arbitration in 2019 and 2020 before becoming an unrestricted free agent in 2021, is unwilling to negotiate a long-term deal with the Marlins. Realmuto hit .277/.340/.484 with 21 homers and three stolen bases en route to his first All-Star selection in 2018.

Grandal isn't in the starting lineup for Game 5 of the World Series against Boston on Sunday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Grandal will come off the bench for the second straight game, with Austin Barnes slated to handle the catching duties in a pivotal Game 5. Grandal will be available to pinch hit if necessary.

Barnes is out of the starting lineup for Game 3 of the World Series against Boston on Friday.

Manager Dave Roberts will give Yasmani Grandal his first start of the series during Friday's game, citing the catcher's arm strength and matchup versus right-hander Rich Porcello. During the first two games in Boston, Barnes failed to collect a hit, going 0-for-4 in four plate appearances.

Vazquez will sit for Game 1 of the World Series against the Dodgers on Tuesday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Sandy Leon will get the start, catching Chris Sale. Leon is 0-for-7 thus far in the postseason, while Vazquez has gone 5-for-22, good for a .227 average.

Barnes will draw another start behind the plate for Game 6 of the NLCS against Milwaukee on Friday, Jorge Castillo of The Los Angeles Times reports.

This will mark his third straight start in the lineup after catching Rich Hill and Clayton Kershaw on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively. The Dodgers have claimed victories in each of the three starts Barnes has made this series, and he's proven to be the security blanket for manager Dave Roberts in light of Yasmani Grandal's costly errors.

Leon is out of the starting lineup for Game 4 of the ALCS against the Astros on Wednesday, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

Christian Vazquez will catch Rick Porcello and bat eighth in the order in Leon's absence. This marks the third straight game that manager Alex Cora has elected to start Vazquez behind the plate.