MLB Player News

Hedges (hamstring) is hitting again Sunday but is still being held out of baserunning and conditioning drills, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

The backstop swung without issue on Saturday, and although the issue has been deemed to be fairly minor, Hedges still is taking things slowly as of now. As long as he experiences no setbacks, Hedges should be able to return to game action relatively soon, although a firmer timetable should become evident once he begins to run again.

Bethancourt will make his first catching appearance in the Padres' Cactus League game Sunday, Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

The 25-year-old is being tested for a role as a dual catcher-pitcher this season, and he'll get his first action of the spring in his more familiar role after appearing exclusively as a hurler for the beginning of the spring. Bethancourt has found a surprising amount of success on the mound so far, allowing as many hits as he's garnered himself (none), so if he continues to find success there while playing good enough defense behind the plate, his combined role could be his calling card for a 25-man roster spot.

Mejia went 1-for-1 with a grand slam in Saturday's spring training contest against Kansas City.

There have been some questions if the catching prospect is big enough not only to catch, but to play in the big leagues. Mejia, listed at 5-foot-10, 180 pounds in the team's media guide, looked plenty big enough when he launched the eventual game-winner with the bags loaded in the seventh. The 21-year-old is now 5-for-9 with seven RBI and three runs over his last four Cactus League games. Last season in the minors, Mejia put together a 50-game hitting streak -- the longest such run in the minors in the last 62 years, and the fourth-best streak in minor-league history. Overall 2016, Mejia hit .342 with 11 home runs and 80 RBI at Low-A Lake County and High-A Lynchburg. With Gomes and Roberto Perez cemented ahead of him on the depth chart, Mejia will continue incubating at the lower levels this season unless an injury or prolonged slump from either opens up an opportunity.

Perez (knee) had an MRI on Sunday, and the results showed "no damage beyond inflammation," Vahe Gregorian of The Kansas City Star reports.

This is a good sign for the Royals, as what seemed like a nasty injury may turn out to be a relatively minor incident. Perez is expected to return to Royals camp to have his knee further examined, but as of now, it seems like the All-Star backstop simply will have to rest for a couple of weeks before resuming his high workload behind the dish.

Stubbs (shoulder) was assigned to the Astros' minor-league camp Sunday, Hunter Atkins of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Stubbs hadn't been able to play in any Grapefruit League games while battling shoulder discomfort when camp opened in September, so it was an easy decision for the Astros to dispatch him to the minors in the first round of cuts. The organization hasn't provided any indication that Stubbs' injury is a long-term concern, so it may not be long before he's able to take the field again. Look for Stubbs to open the season at Double-A Corpus Christi after slashing .325/.401/.517 across 137 plate appearances with the club in 2016.

Plawecki (knee) will serve as the Mets' designated hitter for Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Tigers, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Plawecki had been out of the lineup for more than two weeks while dealing with a badly bruised left knee, and though he's yet to resume duties behind the plate, the fact that he's at least well enough to hit and run the bases Sunday is a step in the right direction. It's likely that the 26-year-old will get some time in at catcher before the spring draws to a close, but because of the extended action he's already missed, it appears he'll have little chance of beating out Rene Rivera for the No. 2 catching duties behind Travis d'Arnaud. Expect Plawecki to report to Triple-A Las Vegas to begin the 2017 season.

Perez is dealing with inflammation, Jon Heyman of MLB.com reports.

Perez was injured during Team Venezuela's game against Team Italy in the World Baseball Classic. The injury looked pretty dire, but Heyman's report suggests Perez should be okay without any serious intervention.

Perez, who injured his knee in a collision at home plate Saturday, is headed for X-rays to determine the severity, Jon Morosi of MLB.com reports.

Perez said he was unable to put any weight on his leg after sustaining the injury, forcing him to be helped off the field by multiple trainers. The Royals and their star backstop are holding their breath for the time-being.

Perez was injured during a collision at home plate during Saturday's WBC game, Kyle Glaser of Baseball America reports.

Although specifics of the injury aren't yet known, it would be a big blow for the Royals if their star catcher had to miss extended time. Perez had to be helped to the clubhouse by trainers after the incident, and it appeared to be an ankle injury. His status will be updated when more information is made available.

Gomes is just 3-for-12 this spring with one walk and three strikeouts over six Cactus League games.

Gomes has started behind the plate for five of his six spring contests so far, and although he's been subdued at the dish, the veteran catcher has looked good defensively, including throwing out two of three attempted basestealers. Catchers spend most of camp on the back fields handling bullpen sessions, so the counting stats aren't expected to be noteworthy. Throughout his career, Gomes has shown the ability to get better with his bat as the campaigns grow old. Over his five MLB seasons, Gomes has slashed .275/.320/.465 post All-Star break, which is significantly better than the .224/.261/.390 mark he's compiled in the first half.