MLB Player News

Sanchez had his contract purchased by the Padres on Saturday, Dennis Lin of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Sanchez, a non-roster invitee, earned a spot on the Opening Day roster after going 10-for-40 (.250) with three homers and seven RBI through 22 spring games. The 27-year-old will likely back up Austin Hedges.

Bethancourt has made the Padres' Opening Day roster as a reliever, Dennis Lin of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Bethancourt has been experimenting as a pitcher-catcher hybrid this spring, a move that's worked surprisingly well. The 25-year-old has allowed just two earned runs over 8.1 innings while also garnering three strikeouts. With Austin Hedges and Hector Sanchez ahead of him on the catching depth chart, it appears the team is going ahead with a full switch to becoming a pitcher. Expect Bethancourt to be used in low-leverage situations as he adjusts to his new role.

McCann has a wrap on his left hand after being hit by a pitch Saturday and leaving the game, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

The timing of this is unfortunate for McCann and the Tigers with Opening Day set for Monday. McCann was hit on his left hand in his first at-bat Saturday and was pulled from the game and replaced by a pinch runner. Woodbery adds that manager Brad Ausmus will provide a further update on McCann's status after Saturday's game. If McCann is unavailable Monday, Alex Avila would draw in behind the plate.

Gosewisch was optioned to Triple-A Tacoma on Friday, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

The 33-year-old was unlikely to beat out Mike Zunino or Carlos Ruiz for a roster spot from the get-go, but his .473 OPS during Cactus League play ultimately sealed his fate. Gosewisch will likely spend 2017 as an organizational depth piece.

With Bobby Wilson being reassigned to the minors, Barnes has officially won the Dodgers' backup catcher job out of camp, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

The Dodgers plan on using Yasmani Grandal as more than just a platoon catcher this season, so Barnes will be limited to a start or two per week. The 27-year-old won't generate fantasy interest unless Grandal were to go down to injury.

Higashioka was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Friday.

Higashioka clubbed a pair of home runs with five extra-base hits in 27 spring at-bats and might earn some emergency at-bats should a need open up with the Yankees.

Hernandez was optioned to Double-A Jackson on Thursday.

The Diamondbacks made a pair of roster moves to clear a spot for J.J. Hoover, whose contract was selected Thursday. Hernandez fared well this spring, slashing .294/.368/.647 with a pair of home runs, but the Diamondbacks had to cut down on the number of catchers they'll be carrying with Opening Day rapidly approaching. He'll begin the season at Double-A.

Hedges had a big day at the plate Wednesday, going 3-for-4 with a pair of home runs and four RBI in a spring training tie against the White Sox.

The young catcher had been mired in a 1-for-20 slump since returning from a minor hamstring injury, so Wednesday's outburst is a good sign that he is back on track as we approach Opening Day. Even with his mid-spring slump, Hedges boasts a .310/.341/.524 slash line through 17 games, numbers closer to his excellent 2016 Triple-A numbers (.326/.353/.597). The 24-year-old will handle the Padres' starting catcher duties, making him an intriguing deep-league target in the event he breaks out in his first year as a full-time starter.

Rodriguez was assigned to Minnesota's minor-league camp.

Rodriguez hasn't appeared in the majors since 2012 as he's had an OPS less than .600 each of the last three years. He'll likely spend the season at Triple-A Rochester.

Stewart (groin) is expected to appear in back-to-back nine-inning games later this week, Bill Brink of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

The backstop was scratched due to groin soreness last week, but it seems like he's nearing game action after slowly ramping up his activity over the past few days. As long as his rehab process goes without a hitch, Stewart should be able to resume his position as the backup catcher for Francisco Cervelli soon.