MLB Player News

The Padres reassigned catcher Austin Hedges to minor-league camp Tuesday, the team announced. Considered a high-level prospect due to his excellent defense, Hedges went 2 for 13 with one walk this spring.

Blue Jays manager John Gibbons denied a previous report that he wanted Josh Thole to make the club to catch knuckleballer R.A. Dickey, and general manager Alex Anthopoulos did not, according to Sportsnet.ca.

Thole is hitting .333/.423/.429 through 21 Grapefruit League at-bats.

The Diamondbacks announced Monday that longtime minor leaguer Tuffy Gosewisch will be their starting catcher on Opening Day, according to AZCentral.com

Drafted in 2005, Gosewisch has spent virtually his entire pro career in the minor leagues, playing in 14 MLB games in 2013 and 43 in 2014.

"I don't know which other way we would go," Diamondbacks general manager Dave Stewart said.

In his 55 career games for the Diamondbacks, Gosewich has hit .213 with one home run and 10 RBI in 174 at-bats.

The Reds released pitcher Jose Mijares Monday whle also optioning three players to Triple-A and re-assigning two to minor-league camp as the team continues to pare down the major-league camp roster.

Mijares surrendered three earned runs on 5 1/3 innings this spring.

The team sent catcher Tucker Barnhart, shortstop Eugenio Suarez and first baseman Donald Lutz to Triple-A Lousville Monday. All three saw action in the majors last season.

First baseman Josh Satin and catcher Chad Wallach were re-assigned to minor-league camp.

Phillies catcher Cameron Rupp went 2 for 3 with two doubles in Sunday's 7-6 loss to the Red Sox, and manager Ryne Sandberg praised his impressive spring performance after the game, MLB.com reports.

"For me, he's a guy that when he makes contact, some good things can happen because he's so strong," Sandberg said about Rupp. "He's really had good at-bats putting the ball in play, and that's resulted in some extra-base hits. It's something he's working on and he's shortening up his stroke a little bit, with kind of the team philosophy of the camp, and he's taken to that."

Rupp is 7 for 17 with four doubles and two walks this spring.

Catcher Andrew Susac entered Sunday's spring game in relief of Buster Posey, Susac's first action with the Giants since receiving a cortisone shot in his wrist on March 16.

Susac immediately made his presence felt by throwing out Angels OF Mike Trout. Susac is in a battle with Hector Sanchez for the Giants' backup catcher job.

Entering Sunday, Susac was hitting .100 in seven spring games.

Giants catcher Hector Sanchez was limited to just 66 games last season due to concussions but said Sunday that he's been feeling healthy in camp this spring, MLB.com reports.

"Really well, just feeling really good," Sanchez said of camp. "The most important thing, I feel healthy. That is a really important thing for me. I'm just working hard and getting my timing back."

Sanchez went 2 for 3 Saturday and has hit .258/.281/.355 in 31 at-bats this spring.

"I feel good, I feel good right now," Sanchez said. "I just have to keep working, do the best I can do. I feel 100 percent now. I feel I'm getting in shape with my baseball skills. I feel ready to play right now."

Sanchez is expected to open the season as the team's No. 2 catcher.

Braves catcher Christian Bethancourt will miss his third straight game with flu-like symptoms. 

Bethancourt's illness is lingering, and he'll miss Saturday's game, per the Atlanta Journal Constitution's David O'Brien. 

Red Sox catcher Christian Vazquez will test his elbow by catching in a minor league game on Saturday, per the Boston Globe's Pete Abraham. 

Vazquez was sidelined for five days with soreness in his throwing elbow. He was able to bat in a minor league game on Wednesday but didn't play the field. 

Blue Jays manager John Gibbons is considering having Josh Thole catch knuckleballer R.A. Dickey during the 2015 season, per Sportsnet.ca.

"If (Russell) Martin catches 130 games, he maybe more valuable with the other four starters," Gibbons said.