MLB Player News

Moore (thumb) replaced starter Jesus Sucre behind the plate in the Rays' 4-3 Grapefruit League loss to the Red Sox on Saturday, striking out in his lone at-bat.

It marked Moore's first spring action since March 6 after the veteran backstop was sidelined with a left thumb injury. Moore doesn't look like a serious candidate for the Rays' Opening Day roster, with the team expected to proceed with Wilson Ramos and Sucre as its two catchers.

Thole was released by the Diamondbacks on Sunday.

Thole joined the Diamondbacks at major-league spring training but went hitless in his 12 at-bats in the Cactus League. He'll look to latch on with another club, but he'll almost certainly have to settle for a minor-league deal.

Caratini (knee) drove in a run and scored a run in Saturday's Cactus League game against the Indians.

Caratini was able to get back onto the field after briefly dealing with a sore left knee. The 24-year-old backstop is currently battling Chris Gimenez for Opening Day reserve catching duties. Caratini is hitting .241 (.405 OBP) with one home run and four RBI this spring.

The Astros reassigned Stubbs to their minor-league camp Sunday, Jake Kaplan of The Athletic Houston reports.

The Astros appear set to keep three catchers for their Opening Day roster, but the battle for the final spot has come down to Max Stassi and Tim Federowicz rather than Stubbs, who is less of a finished product and still in need of a full-time role. Since that wouldn't have been available to him at the big-league level, Stubbs will likely report to Triple-A Fresno when the season begins and hold down an everyday role behind the dish. Following his late-season callup to Fresno in 2017, Stubbs logged 91 plate appearances and slashed .221/.341/.286 while going 3-for-3 on stolen-base attempts.

Murphy (head) is starting at catcher and batting eighth in Sunday's Cactus League game against the Giants, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

Murphy is set to re-enter the lineup after being lifted from Thursday's contest after taking a shot to the head for an opposing batter. The issue was never deemed serious, so he'll head back to the field where he'll battle with Tony Wolters for reserve catching duties on the Opening Day roster.

Realmuto (back) isn't in the Marlins' lineup for Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Yankees, Andre Fernandez of the Miami Herald reports.

Realmuto has missed the past week of Grapefruit League action with a lower-back contusion, but the injury isn't believed to be anything that will put his status for Opening Day in jeopardy. The Marlins have already been easing Realmuto back into baseball activities since he suffered the injury March 11, so it appears likely that the 27-year-old will be back behind the plate within a few days.

Murphy (head) is expected to play in Sunday's Cactus League game, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

Murphy was removed from Thursday's spring training game after being hit in the helmet on a backswing, but the issue was never thought to be overly serious and he's set to return to action after taking a couple of days off to rest and recover. The soon-to-be 27-year-old is competing for a spot on the Rockies' Opening Day roster as a reserve catcher.

Gomes (arm) is scheduled to play catcher during Sunday's Cactus League game, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Gomes has been dealing with some arm soreness, but the issue was never expected to keep him sidelined long. Assuming he gets through Sunday's game with no issues, the backstop should be fully operational for the start of the regular season.

Thaiss was reassigned to minor-league camp Saturday.

He hit .259 with two home runs and a .310 OBP in 27 spring at-bats. Thaiss should open the year at either Double-A or Triple-A and could reach the big leagues this season. However, he may not be able to get everyday at-bats in the majors anytime soon, barring an injury.

The White Sox reassigned Zavala to minor-league camp Friday.

Zavala earned a non-roster invitation to spring training after slashing .282/.353/.499 with 21 home runs in 387 at-bats between Low-A Kannapolis and High-A Winston-Salem in 2017. Double-A Birmingham seems like the likely destination for the 24-year-old this season.