MLB Player News

Rupp is in the lineup Wednesday against the Reds, batting sixth and catching.

The Phillies decided to go with Carlos Ruiz behind the plate on Opening Day as a kind gesture to the veteran backstop, but Rupp will slot into the lineup for the second game of the year. Manager Pete Mackanin stated that he expects Rupp to be the starting catcher most of the time, so he should be in the lineup more often than not going forward.

Mesoraco is back in the lineup Wednesday against the Phillies.

Mesoraco took a bat to the temple on Maikel Franco's follow-through swing Monday and felt woozy afterward, but stayed in the game. The off-day Tuesday didn't hurt his chances of returning Wednesday night.

McCann is out of the lineup Wednesday against the Marlins.

He went 0-for-5 with two strikeouts Tuesday against the Marlins, and in the day game following the night game, he will get the day off. Jarrod Saltalamacchia will start at catcher and hit sixth Wednesday.

Manager John Gibbons said Thole will catch most of R.A. Dickey's starts this season, CBC Sports reports.

The 29-year-old catcher has been with the Blue Jays since 2013, but has never played more than 57 games in a year -- he only played 18 in 2015 due to injuries and a backlog at the position. However, because of his ability to catch Dickey's knuckleball, and the rest needed by 33-year-old Russell Martin, Thole may be in line for an increased workload this season. He may be worth a look in daily leagues due to the fact he'll be part of the most potent offense in baseball.

Grandal (forearm) caught a bullpen session Tuesday, Eric Stephen of SB Nation reports.

With the forearm holding up well to Tuesday's activity, Grandal has been cleared to play in a simulated game Wednesday. Manager Dave Roberts expressed confidence in Grandal being ready for the team's April 12 home opener despite a slight setback with the injury last weekend. A.J. Ellis and Austin Barnes are splitting the workload in the meantime.

Jackson will be held back in extended spring training this year, Baseball America's J.J. Cooper reports.

Cooper notes that this is relatively unprecedented for a former first round pick. Of the 87 high school outfielders and infielders (catchers weren't taken into account) taken in the top 30 picks from 2001 to 2014, Jackson will be the first healthy, non-suspended player of those 87 to be held back in extended spring training in his second full pro season. The new regime is sending a message that players will have to earn their promotions, after the prior regime was often accused of rushing top prospects through the minors at the expense of their development. While this may appear to push back Jackson's ETA, it is probably a positive for his overall development, and fantasy owners should no longer have to blame the Mariners' organization for the underperformance of highly touted prospects.

Barnes will catch and bat eighth against the Padres on Tuesday.

After sitting in favor of A.J. Ellis on Opening Day, Barnes will slot into the lineup Tuesday for his ninth start at the major league level. With Yasmani Grandal (forearm) on the DL, the door is open for Barnes to split time behind the plate in the short term, and manager Dave Roberts suggested the team could keep three catchers after Grandal's return.

Perez will catch and bat seventh Tuesday against the Mets, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

The 2015 World Series MVP, he is expected to shoulder a heavy workload again this season. Perez has averaged over 135 starts per season over the past three years. While Perez doesn't walk much at all (2.4% BB% last season), he makes enough contact to hit at a serviceable clip, and there may still be a little more power left in his bat.

Vazquez (elbow) is scheduled to catch nine innings at Triple-A Pawtucket on Thursday, Scott Lauber of ESPN reports.

Vazquez will take a major step forward in his recovery from Tommy John surgery by catching a full game. That said, it will likely be the first of many games for Vazquez at the minor league level given that he was sidelined for the entirety of last season.

Perez (concussion) has been medically cleared after passing the league's concussion protocols, MLB.com reports.

Perez will be able to open the season as the backup to catcher to Yan Gomes after taking a foul ball off the mask over the weekend.