MLB Player News

Leon is hitting just .188 (3-for-16) over seven games, but that's not a concern of manager John Farrell and the catcher remains Boston's presumptive Opening Day starter, Brian MacPherson of the Providence Journal reports. "We've been in a situation where we have rotated three guys in a starting role, so guys have been getting two at-bats every third day," Farrell said. "The offensive evaluation can be a little unfair."

The eye test isn't good for Leon, who has struck out or grounded out in 11 of his 16 spring at-bats. With this coming after a serious September fade in 2016, fantasy owners should treat Leon with circumspection. Red Sox hitting coach Victor Rodriguez echoes Farrell's comments about getting regular at-bats and added that Leon tired toward the end of 2016 under what had been career-high usage. He and Christian Vazquez project to start the season in Boston, but that duo is a potential cipher offensively. The Red Sox may eventually call up a better offensive weapon like Blake Swihart.

Stubbs (shoulder) entered Sunday's game against the Yankees in the seventh inning and caught the rest of the game.

Stubbs developed a shoulder issue early in camp and hadn't gotten into any games until Sunday. His defense is top-notch, particularly in the area of controlling the running game. Developing a competent bat will be a focus over the next 12 months.

Heineman has been sent back to minor league camp, MLB.com's Brian McTaggart reports.

Heineman saw just 11 at-bats this spring, only one of which resulted in a base knock. With several veteran options behind the plate in Houston, it's not too surprising to see the 25-year-old once again fail to break camp. He appears destined for another year at Triple-A, where he slashed .259/.344/.351 over 271 at-bats in 2016.

Plawecki went 2-for-3 with a solo home run, his first of the spring, in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals.

With Travis d'Arnaud catching Noah Syndergaard in a minor league game Saturday, Plawecki got the start for the big league squad and took advantage of his opportunity. He's still likely ticketed for Triple-A Las Vegas to begin the regular season, but d'Arnaud's extensive injury history offers Plawecki a chance for plenty of playing time with the Mets in 2017.

Thole has been diagnosed with a "significant" hamstring tear that could sideline him for the entire season, Nick Piecoro of AZCentral.com reports.

According to Piecoro, Thole will seek a second opinion on his injury, but the indication is that surgery is a possible course of action. Despite the loss of Welington Castillo this offseason, Arizona does have a group of serviceable catchers on the roster with Chris Iannetta and Jeff Mathis. Thole, a non-roster invitee, was unlikely to make the Opening Day roster prior to his injury.

Garver was optioned to Triple-A Rochester.

Garver was nominally in the backup catcher competition this spring. With Garver in the minors, Chris Gimenez and John Ryan Murphy will compete to be Jason Castro's backup. Garver was just 3-for-13 this spring, but hit 12 home runs between Double-A and Triple-A last year. He could be called up as a backup at some point this summer.

Caratini was optioned to Triple-A Iowa on Friday, Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Caratini posted a solid season for Double-A Tennessee in 2016, slashing .291/.375/.405 with six homers. The Cubs are set at catcher, however, so the 23-year-old was expected to head back to the minors for 2017. Although he likely won't see major league action anytime soon with Willson Contreras ahead of him, he apparently impressed the Cubs enough to earn their protection from the Rule 5 draft, so we'll see what he has to offer at Triple-A this season.

Hedges is batting fifth and catching in Friday's Cactus League game.

The 24-year-old has been limited to light activities over the past week while recovering from a tweaked hamstring, but it appears all systems are go moving forward. Hedges is off to a blazing start this spring, hitting .474 with three doubles in eight games. He's expected to be the everyday catcher for the Padres this season after racking up 21 home runs and 82 RBI with Triple-A El Paso last year.

Gallagher was optioned to Triple-A Omaha on Friday, Josh Vernier of 610 Sports Radio reports.

The 24-year-old hit to the tune of a .259/.348/.359 season at Double-A Northwest Arkansas in 2016 and gets his first taste of the highest farm level. Gallagher will aim to work his way into a major league role if the need for help behind the plate arises this year.

Nola was optioned to Double-A Jacksonville on Friday, Joe Frisaro of MLB.com reports.

The former middle infielder will work on his transition to catcher at a lower level than his 2016 campaign, when Nola managed a .261/.308/.376 output. Keep an eye this year on whether the 27-year-old can start replicating the success of J.T. Realmuto, who underwent a similar transformation.