MLB Player News

Realmuto is off to a solid start at the dish during Grapefruit League play, batting .316 (6-for-19) with two walks, a double and two RBI over eight games.

Locked in as the Marlins' starting backstop, Realmuto will look to take a step forward from the respectable .259/.290/.406 line he posted over 126 as a rookie. He knocked 10 home runs in limited time last year and also chipped in eight steals. Given that he posted double digit stolen base totals in three of his four full minor league seasons (2011-2014), Realmuto offers a under-the-radar blend of power and speed at his position.

Sanchez is just 1-for-14 so far in spring training.

Following the offseason trade of John Ryan Murphy, Sanchez looked to be in good position to make the Opening Day roster as the club's backup catcher. The 23-year-old has struggled thus far in the spring though -- while his competition for the spot, Austin Romine, is hitting .294 -- so it's hardly a guarantee he'll begin the year in the majors. He's hit well at the upper levels of the minors though, so he should see time in the big leagues in 2016 even if he begins the year back at Triple-A.

Gonzalez was optioned to minor league camp Thursday.

Despite losing Max Stassi (wrist) to injury for the first month of the season, the Astros were never considering Gonzalez -- who lacks experience above Double-A -- to be their No. 2 catcher behind Jason Castro. He'll likely return to Corpus Christi or report to Triple-A Fresno to open 2016.

Besides starter Jason Castro, Gonzalez is the only other healthy catcher on Houston's 40-man roster.

Gonzalez, who is 1-for-5 with a walk through six Grapefruit League appearances, lacks experience above Double-A and is unlikely to be the No. 2 catcher behind Castro on Opening Day. With Max Stassi (wrist) set to miss the first month of the season, Houston will explore the catcher trade market to fill the backup role, or possibly use Evan Gattis (sports hernia) as a short-term solution if healthy.

Mesoraco (hip) will be behind the plate for Thursday's spring game, MLB.com reports. "He'll start with a light workload and build himself up to nine innings, and then back-to-back games," manager Bryan Price said.

The 27-year-old will make his much anticipated return to game action after missing most of last season with a hip injury, and then dealing with a groin ailment early in camp. Mesoraco will need to gradually increase his workload while avoiding any setbacks in order to be ready on Opening Day. Tucker Barnhart is the primary backup entering 2016.

Stassi had surgery on his left wrist to fix a hook of the hamate fracture and will be out six weeks, Jose de Jesus Ortiz of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Stassi was the favorite to open 2016 as the No. 2 catcher behind starter Jason Castro, but the Astros will be forced to look on the waiver wire or trade market for a replacement. Alfredo Gonzalez is the only other catcher on Houston's 40-man roster, but he has yet to play above Double-A. Evan Gattis (sports hernia) has experience behind the plate, but he's rehabbing from injury and isn't a strong defender.

Barnes is batting .389/.522/.889 this spring as he battles for a spot on the Dodgers' bench.

If you assume that Carl Crawford and Alex Guerrero crack the 25-man roster and the Dodgers carry 12 pitchers, there won't be room for Barnes. He's been seeing time at positions other than catcher this spring to improve his versatility

The Pirates reassigned McGuire to minor-league camp Monday.

He's expected to serve as the full-time starter for Double-A Altoona. McGuire, who went 1-for-10 in Grapefruit League action, remains the organization's top catching prospect. His defense is already major-league ready, but he's a work in progress, offensively. McGuire batted .254/.301/.294 in 374 at-bats for High-A Bradenton in 2015.

Diaz went 2-for-4 with a homer and three RBI against Detroit on Sunday.

The catcher is set to start the season with Triple-A Indianapolis after Pittsburgh resigned backup Chris Stewart to a two-year deal. After slashing .312/.366/.421 in 404 minor-league plate appearances in 2014, he fell off last year (.271/.330/.382) and oddly made only two plate appearances as a September recall. The organization still values Diaz, however, as the Bucs reportedly turned down an offseason deal which would have sent the catcher to Texas in exchange for first baseman, Mitch Moreland.

The Mets are in the market for a backup catcher, which is another indication that Plawecki opens the season at Triple-A Las Vegas, Adam Rubin of ESPN New York reports.

Rather than have Plawecki see 1-to-2 games a week backing up Travid d'Arnaud to open the season, the Mets would prefer he sees regular action and about 150-200 at-bats for the 51s, after which the team could promote Plawecki and have him serve as d'Arnaud's backup. New York is not enamored with Johnny Monell or the other catchers in camp and may not find that backup available, meaning Plawecki could end up breaking camp with the team.