MLB Player News

Rupp agreed to a minor-league contract with the Rangers on Tuesday.

The 29-year-old backstop was released by the Phillies after an uninspiring spring showing, as he tallied just seven hits in 37 at-bats (.189 batting average). He does have a bit of power that makes up for his low .234 career batting average, but it's unlikely that he'll get regular playing time in Arlington unless Robinson Chirinos or Juan Centeno incurs an injury. Rupp will begin his Rangers tenure with their Triple-A affiliate in Round Rock.

Hedges was scratched from Monday's lineup due to tightness in his upper back, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

With Hedges out, A.J. Ellis will start behind the dish for the Padres. The club didn't provide any information regarding the severity of the 25-year-old's injury, so consider Hedges day-to-day until further notice. Hedges has gone 1-for-11 (.091) over three games this season, with his only hit being a home run.

Realmuto (back) has resumed catching drills, Joe Frisaro of MLB.com reports.

Realmuto continues to slowly work his way back from a back contusion that forced him to open the season on the disabled list. While the backstop's progress is encouraging, he remains a couple of weeks away from returning to action. In the meantime, Chad Wallach and Bryan Holaday will continue to split time behind the dish until Realmuto is healthy.

Perez was added to the Braves' active roster Monday.

Josh Ravin (illness) was sent to the disabled list to clear room on the Braves' roster for the addition of Perez, who was acquired from the Angels over the weekend. With Tyler Flowers (oblique) expected to miss extended time and Kurt Suzuki nursing a hand injury, Perez will immediately step in and share catching duties with Chris Stewart, though it's unclear if Perez will remain with the big club following the return of Suzuki.

Contreras is catching and batting fourth in Monday's game against the Reds.

Contreras received his first day off of the season Sunday after starting the Cubs' first three games. So far this year, he's just 4-for-17 with seven strikeouts, but he has the ability to get the bat going in a hurry.

Wallach went 2-for-3 with a walk, a double, a run scored and an RBI in Sunday's 6-0 win over the Cubs.

The 26-year-old catcher had a brutal start to the season, going 0-for-10 with eight strikeouts in his first two games, but Marlins manager Don Mattingly stuck with him and got rewarded for his patience Sunday. Wallach appears set to see regular duty behind the plate until J.T. Realmuto (back) is ready to come off the disabled list in a couple of weeks.

Garver said he'll be available off the bench for Monday's game against the Pirates, despite dealing with some soreness on his scalp, Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Garver avoided a concussion after colliding with the Orioles' Manny Machado during Sunday's game, with the catcher coming away with merely some bruising on the left side of his head. With primary backstop Jason Castro reentering the lineup Monday, Garver will reprise his normal backup duties at catcher.

Stassi started Sunday and went 2-for-3 with a double, an RBI and a run scored in an 8-2 victory over Texas.

Stassi has started two of Houston's first four games, so early on it's looking like he'll get a significant amount of plate appearances as Brian McCann's backup. Particularly if the man he's catching for throws a gem like Gerrit Cole, who allowed one run on two hits while striking out 11 Rangers. The 27-year-old Stassi has reached base safely and driven in at least one run in both games.

Perez will join the Braves in advance of Monday's series opener against the Nationals, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

With Tyler Flowers (oblique) expected to be sidelined for a month and Kurt Suzuki (hand) possibly headed for the DL as well, Perez has an opportunity to earn immediate playing time. He and Chris Stewart would likely split reps behind the plate once an official roster move is announced.

Gomes is out of the lineup Sunday against the Mariners, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Gomes was behind the plate for the Tribe's first two games of the season, going 2-for-7 with a home run and three RBI in those contests. It's expected that he'll split reps behind the plate in fairly even fashion with Roberto Perez this season, as was the case for a large portion of 2017. The lack of a clear No. 1 backstop makes the Indians' catching situation one to avoid outside of AL-only settings.