MLB Player News

Gallagher was called up by Kansas City on Thursday, Joel Goldberg of FOX Sports Kansas City reports.

With Salvador Perez expected to miss 4-to-6 weeks with a torn MCL, Gallagher will serve as the backup catcher to Drew Butera. Over 13 appearances with the club last season, Gallagher slashed .250/.333/.417.

Plawecki will get the Opening Day start for the Mets behind the plate, Mike Puma of The New York Post reports.

He's expected to split the workload fairly evenly with Travis d'Arnaud this season, but Opening Day starting pitcher Noah Syndergaard preferred working with Plawecki last season, which likely played into manager Mickey Callaway's thinking on his initial lineup. The 27-year-old slashed .260/.364/.400 with three home runs through 37 games in the majors last season, and he could be sneakily useful in deep OBP leagues with increased playing time.

Nola was designated for assignment by the Marlins on Thursday, Joe Frisaro of MLB.com reports

Nola was just 1-for-11 at the plate in a brief showing this spring, but even with J.T. Realmuto (back) not ready to begin the year, Nola is a ways away from factoring into the catching mix in Miami. The converted backstop is still expected to work on his catching at the Double-A level in 2018, provided he stays within the organization as opposed to free agency.

Monell was released by the Rays on Wednesday, Chris Cotillo of SB Nation reports.

Monell returned from overseas and inked a minor-league deal with the Rays in January, but an unremarkable showing in spring training (.190/.227/.286 in 22 plate appearances) prompted Tampa Bay to cut him loose. He'll look to latch on elsewhere as organizational catching depth.

Perez suffered a Grade 2 MCL tear and will be sidelined 4-to-6 weeks, Rustin Dodd of The Athletic Kansas City reports.

This is a brutal blow for Perez and the Royals on the eve of Opening Day. According to Maria Torres of The Kansas City Star, the backstop apparently suffered the injury after he slipped while lifting a suitcase. Manager Ned Yost said he doesn't think Perez will need surgery, but the 27-year-old is still set to miss an extended chunk to start the season. Perez's initial recovery timeline puts a possible return date around early-to-mid May, though that could change depending on how his rehab goes. For now, look for Drew Butera to handle primary catching duties for the Royals until Perez is healthy.

D'Arnaud will take a seat for Thursday's Opening Day contest against the Cardinals, Matt Ehalt of The Record reports.

Manager Mickey Callaway discussed having Kevin Plawecki in the lineup more often against right-handed pitching -- the Mets will face in Carlos Martinez to open up the 2018 season. Even though the Mets are set to go up against three right-handers in this opening series, expect to see d'Arnaud in the lineup this weekend since this doesn't figure to be a strict platoon by any means.

Wallach has earned a spot on the Marlins' Opening Day roster, Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald reports.

With J.T. Realmuto (back) sent to the 10-day disabled list to begin the year, the Marlins have elected to keep three catchers on the Opening Day roster, with Tomas Telis and Bryan Holaday joining Wallach. Telis will likely serve as the primary catcher until Realmuto returns to the field. Over the course of six career games at the major-league level -- all coming last year with Cincinnati -- Wallach has gone 1-for-11 with five strikeouts at the dish.

Perez was designated for assignment on Tuesday.

Perez lost out to Rene Rivera as the backup catcher. He could get claimed by another team looking for a backup catcher.

Realmuto (back) was placed on the 10-day disabled list Tuesday, Joe Frisaro of MLB.com reports.

Realmuto continues to nurse a bone bruise in his back. While he's making solid progress, the Marlins don't want to rush the stud catcher back, especially considering they won't be competing this season. At this point it doesn't sound like Realmuto will need too much time on the shelf, but a clearer return date should start to materialize as he continues to ramp up activities. In the meantime, Tomas Telis will serve as the Marlins' primary backstop.

Diaz will open the season as the Pirates' backup catcher behind Francisco Cervelli, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

Diaz's spring got off to a rocky start from a personal standpoint after his mother was kidnapped in his native Venezuela in early February, but things ended on a happier note three days later when she was rescued. The 27-year-old didn't end up missing any significant time in camp and was able to beat out Jacob Stallings and Ryan Lavarnway for the second catcher spot. So long as Cervelli stays healthy, Diaz will likely be limited to a couple starts per week.