MLB Player News

Diaz will rest for the next week with lateral right-elbow discomfort and then be reevaluated, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.

The injury sounds as though it could be fairly serious. Diaz, who's batting .421 in 19 spring-training at-bats, hit .271/.330/.382 in 363 plate appearances for Triple-A Indy last year. He's currently ranked third among catchers on the depth chart. Ed Easley would likely serve as Pittsburgh's third option to start the season if Diaz is forced to miss time.

Grandal was removed from Monday's Cactus League game due to a sore right forearm, Eric Stephen of True Blue LA reports.

Manager Dave Roberts relayed that this is the same forearm that forced Grandal to take some time off earlier this spring. While Grandal fits in another bout of rest, A.J. Ellis will serve as the Dodgers' backstop Tuesday, which will be followed be an off day. Once Thursday rolls around, the Dodgers will be apt to clarify Grandal's health, one way or another.

McCann has had a good spring and will be the Tigers' Opening Day catcher, as expected.

McCann is hitting .304 with two home runs, seven RBI and a .942 OPS in 23 at bats this spring. He finished 2015 with seven home runs, 41 RBI and a .264/.297/.387 slash line in 401 at bats.

Barring an emergency, Vazquez will open the season at Triple-A where he can work on improving his arm strength, the Boston Globe reports. "We want to do what's right by Christian. If we do that, we're going to do what's right by the Red Sox," manager John Farrell said. "It's a valuable player and we don't want to skip any steps with his return."

Farrell indicated Vazquez's arm is good enough to be in the major leagues, but it's not to the point where it was pre-surgery. One thing is for sure: Vazquez will not linger in the minor leagues. The manner in which he brings the best out of the pitchers and controls the running game will be useful at the major league level.

Maile was optioned to minor league camp Saturday.

The Rays now have three catchers in big-league camp after sending Maile down Saturday. He served primarily as the Rays' catcher at Triple-A Durham last season, batting .207 with five home runs across 89 games. He'll likely see a similar role this season and his issues at the plate make him an unlikely candidate for a call-up barring a rash of injuries at the position.

Gomes is healthy and swinging the bat well this spring after an injury-riddled 2015 season.

Gomes is never going to have a high OBP, but his power potential behind the dish helps separate himself from the crowd and he should have plenty of chances to drive in runs hitting fifth or sixth for the Tribe.

Grandal (arm) went 1-for-2 with a home run in Friday's spring training loss to Arizona. He's hitting .417 (5-for-12) in six games this spring.

Grandal missed some time earlier in the week with a right arm contusion. He's returning from offseason shoulder surgery, but looks set to be ready for Opening Day.

Contreras was optioned to Triple-A Iowa on Friday.

In 13 games with the major league club this spring, Contreras recorded five hits, including three doubles, and walked four times without striking out. If Miguel Montero goes down at any point this season, we could see Contreras called up to take on a prominent role behind the plate.

Murphy was reassigned to minor league camp Friday, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Murphy is expected to land at Triple-A Albuquerque, where he'll see regular at-bats with an opportunity to learn the pitching staff. The 24-year-old had an 11-game cup of coffee with the Rockies last season, but he played primarily at the Double and Triple-A levels.

Mesoraco (hip) hit a two-run home run off the Indians' Danny Salazar in his spring debut Thursday.

As manager Bryan Price said would be the case, Mesoraco started with a light workload in his debut, catching two innings. He will gradually build up to nine innings and then back-to-backs over the remainder of spring training. The 27-year-old certainly made the most of his lone at-bat Thursday, but the bat hasn't been in question. The question is if his hip and lower-body can hold up to the rigors of the catcher position.