MLB Player News

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.

Bethancourt exited Saturday's Cactus League game against the Reds after being hit by a pitch on the left arm, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Bethancourt received a non-roster invite to Brewers spring training and has a .350 batting average and .950 OPS in 20 at-bats this spring. The 26-year-old is still unlikely to make the Brewers' Opening Day roster with Manny Pina, Stephen Vogt (shoulder) and Jett Bandy on the 40-man roster, but his injury status should be updated as he is further evaluated.

Gomes is out with minor arm soreness Friday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

The injury does not appear to be serious, and Gomes could see action as the designated hitter over the next few days. He's expected to catch again Monday. Barring setbacks, he should be fine by the start of the regular season.

Murphy was removed from Thursday's spring training game as a precaution after being hit in the helmet on a backswing, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

Murphy took a shot to the head from an opposing batter during Thursday's game, so the Rockies opted to remove the backstop just to be safe. Manager Bud Black downplayed Murphy's removal and said that he should be OK moving forward.