MLB Player News

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.

Higashioka was optioned to the Yankees' minor-league camp Wednesday, Brendan Kuty of the Newark Star-Ledger reports.

Higashioka was third on the depth chart at catcher during spring training, but the Yankees always planned on proceeding with only two backstops heading into Opening Day. That will allow Higashioka to see regular at-bats with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, where he slugged 10 homers in just 160 plate appearances in 2016 upon being promoted from Double-A Trenton midseason.

Maile was optioned to minor-league camp Wednesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Maile, Curt Casali and Mike McKenry were all sent packing from big-league spring training, leaving Jesus Sucre as the No. 2 option behind Derek Norris to begin the 2017 campaign. The 26-year-old Maile fared well during Grapefruit League play (13-for-35) and he could get the call if there is an injury behind the plate while the Rays are still without Wilson Ramos (knee).

Casali was optioned to minor-league camp Wednesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

With both Casali and Luke Maile optioned and Mike McKenry reassigned Wednesday, non-roster invitee Jesus Sucre is now locked in as the backup to Derek Norris to begin the season. Casali went 6-for-31 (.186 average) during spring training after batting .186/.273/.336 over 256 plate appearances last season.

Manager Joe Girardi said Tuesday that he is "learning toward" batting Sanchez second in the order, the Associated Press reports.

Most of Girardi's spring lineups have had Sanchez in the three-hole behind Brett Gardner and Jacoby Ellsbury, but the skipper offered a new look Tuesday. Wanting to break up Gardner and Ellsbury (both lefties), Girardi slotted Sanchez into the No. 2 spot followed by Greg Bird, Matt Holliday and Ellsbury, and he suggested he will stick with that order on Opening Day. Sanchez went 15-for-44 with four homers and 13 RBI in his first 16 spring games.

Plawecki was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas on Tuesday, Marc Carig of Newsday reports.

Plawecki had a respectable showing over 13 Grapefruit League games. While he went 7-for-26 (.269) with a home run, he also struck out eight times. As long as Travis d'Arnaud and Rene Rivera stay healthy, Plawecki will likely remain at the Triple-A level for most of the upcoming season.

Leon went 2-for-4 with two home runs and five RBI in Monday's game against the Orioles.

Leon, a switch-hitter, homered from both sides of the plate during Boston's nine-run fourth inning. These were his first extra-base hits of the spring. The 28-year-old catcher was cool at the plate to start the spring, but has heated up with more plate appearances, hitting in five of his last six games (7-for-19). Leon will open the season as Boston's starting catcher, but backup Christian Vazquez should grab at least two games a week.