MLB Player News

Thole was holding his left hamstring as he was helped off the field Wednesday, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

The severity of the injury still isn't clear, so he should be considered day-to-day until the Diamondbacks update his status. Thole is just 1-for-9 (.111) this spring, and will likely serve as organizational depth in 2017.

Mejia was optioned to Double-A Akron on Wednesday.

The Indians' top prospect put on a show in major league camp, recently bashing a grand slam against Kansas City on Saturday, but it comes as little surprise that he'll head back to the minor leagues. Even with the return to the minors, Mejia's upside is undeniable given his performance between Low- and High-A last season. The 21-year-old backstopper accumulated 139 hits in 407 at-bats between the two levels and even assembled a whopping 50-game hit streak at one point, and although he'll likely spend most -- if not all -- of the 2017 campaign in Akron, Mejia is bound to appear in Cleveland relatively soon as long as he continues to rake in the minors.

According to manager Ned Yost, Perez (knee/elbow) also hyperextended his left elbow a bit in the collision that removed him from WBC play, which could keep him out for a week, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

The Royals don't seem overly concerned with the backstopper's knee anymore, and it seems like this elbow issue will ultimately cost him more time than the knee injury. Either way, Perez is still projected to be back to full health relatively quickly and expects to be completely ready for Opening Day.

Mesoraco will play in Wednesday's Cactus League game against the Padres, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Mesoraco will bat leadoff Wednesday in order to get more at-bats, as he looks to make up for lost time a bit. The 28-year-old has been brought along slowly in camp after undergoing surgery last year to repair his right hip labrum -- he's had surgery on both hips in recent years, and on his shoulder. Mesoraco caught two innings Sunday in his spring debut and will look to gradually increase his workload behind the plate moving forward. The Reds are not expected to break camp with three catchers on the active roster.

Perez's second MRI was returned negative, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

Perez was said to be in good spirits Wednesday, having avoided a serious injury as a result of a collision in Saturday's WBC game. The initial MRI showed inflammation in the knee but no structural damage, and the follow-up test confirmed that diagnosis. While Perez is uncertain when exactly he may return to games, he is confident he will be good to go for the start of the regular season.

Grandal went 2-for-3 with a two-run home run in Tuesday's Cactus League win over the Reds.

The 28-year-old is locked in at the plate during exhibition play, slashing an impressive .433/.469/1.035 in 32 plate appearances. In addition to adopting a meatless offseason diet, Grandal focused on improved his approach from the right side of the plate, something that limited him to bench role against left-handed starting pitchers in 2016. Manager Dave Roberts already committed to making the switch-hitting catcher the Dodgers' primary option behind the dish against both righties and lefties this season, leaving the door open for a potential improvement over last year's 27 homers and 72 RBI.

Murphy will miss 4-to-6 weeks with a hairline fracture of his right forearm, MLB.com's Thomas Harding reports.

He was hit by Anthony Rizzo's bat during the first inning of Saturday's game, yet remained in, so this news comes as a shock. Murphy's injury wasn't healing, so he went for tests this week that discovered the fracture. He should open the year on the disabled list; as such, Dustin Garneau figures to break camp on the active roster, spelling Tony Wolters against southpaws until Murphy is ready to return.

Perez (knee) is going for a second MRI on Tuesday, MLB.com's Jeffrey Flanagan reports.

His MRI on Sunday showed no damage beyond inflammation, but either the Royals or the player were unsatisfied with the results, so he will go for a second test Tuesday. This suggests the knee issue is more than just a day-to-day ailment, but we won't know how much longer he will be sidelined until after the results are released.

Plawecki (knee) will catch and bat eighth in the lineup for Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros, Matt Ehalt of The Record reports.

After Plawecki hurt his left knee following a collision at home plate back on Feb. 25, the Mets have been bringing him along slowly. Plawecki returned to workouts last week and was able to DH in spring games the last two days without issue, so manager Terry Collins will now deploy him in his usual spot behind the plate. Though Plawecki is now healthy and in no danger of missing the start of the season, he still could be headed for Triple-A Las Vegas to kick off in 2017 in order to see everyday at-bats.

The Reds will begin the season with just two catchers, whether Mesoraco is ready for Opening Day or not.

This doesn't necessarily mean Mesoraco will not be ready -- only that they won't carry a third catcher and limit Mesoraco's duties to pinch-hitting and spot starting behind the plate early on. If he's not ready to split the catching duties 50-50 right away, Mesoraco will begin the year on the DL.