MLB Player News

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.

Braves catcher Christian Bethancourt will miss a second straight game on Friday. 

Bethancourt was held out of Thursday's game with flu-like symptoms. The illness was still bothering him on Friday, and he didn't travel with the team for the road game in Jupiter, per Braves Radio's Kevin McAlpin. 

Pirates catcher Chris Stewart said Friday he is still expecting to be ready by Opening Day. It was announced Thursday that Stewart could be out at least two more weeks with a sore hamstring. He has not played since March 9 due to the injury.

Diamondbacks manager Chip Hale spoke about the team's catcher competition Thursday, proclaiming Tuffy Gosewisch and Gerald Laird as the current leaders, MLB.com reports.

"Tuffy, to me, is running with it, and so is Gerald," Hale said. "I would say they're the two guys that are leading the pack. We haven't decided anything yet."

One of the reasons Laird signed with the Diamondbacks was a legitimate chance to win a roster spot, and he's established himself as a viable option for the team.

"He has just come in and done everything we've asked," Hale said. "What's impressed me is his catching. He's done a good job handling our staff, and he's had some really good at-bats. He looks fresh."

Blake Lalli or Jordan Pacheco may also be able to stick on the roster as well as a third catcher, due to their ability to play other positions.

Chris Stewart's pain could once again be Tony Sanchez's benefit. 

With Stewart's hamstring injury keeping him out for at least two more weeks, Sanchez will likely make the Pirates' Opening Day Roster. Also helping Sanchez is the fact he's had a teriffic spring, batting .526 with a 1.518 OPS. 

"It's way too early to tell if a DL assignment will be required [for Stewart]," Pirates general manager Neal Huntington said. "The nice part is, Sanchez has had a great camp on all sides of the game, and if Chris is not ready, we feel strongly about having somebody who can step in."

A year ago, Stewart had a knee injury that allowed Sanchez to break camp on the 25-man roster as one of the Pirates' catchers. But Stewart did have minor knee surgery and returned in only one month. 

Even so, the Pirates could once again be relying on Sanchez on the roster in April. 

"Our focus is on continuing to help Sanchez be ready, if needed," Huntington summed up. "And if [Stewart] is ready to go, we'll have a lot of catching depth."

Braves catcher Christian Bethancourt was scratched from Thursday's spring lineup against the Marlins due to flu-like symptoms. He was replaced by John Buck in the starting lineup.

Bethancourt is batting .360 (9 for 25) with three runs, six doubles and five RBI in nine spring games.

Pirates catcher Chris Stewart is expected to miss two weeks with a sore hamstring, which could put his status for Opening Day in jeopardy, per the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. If Stewart begins the season on the disabled list, catcher Tony Sanchez would likely take his spot on the roster.

When healthy, Stewart -- who has been sidelined since March 9 -- is expected to split catcher duties with Francisco Cervelli. Stewart is just 1 for 5 (.200) in three spring games.

The Pirates remain in a "holding pattern" with the sore hamstring of catcher Chris Stewart, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.

Manager Clint Hurdle said Sunday that Stewart was dealing with a "tweak" of the hamstring but hopes were he'd be able to return Tuesday. He's made just three appearances this spring, going 1 for 5 at the plate.

Braves catcher Christian Bethancourt has made progress working with pitchers and calling a game, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Bethancourt caught Shelby Miller for four innings and threw out a runner at second in the opening frame of Wednesday's game against the Yankees, leaving the right-hander impressed.

"Betty called a great game," Miller said. "Didn't shake except for maybe a couple of times. So we were on the same page the whole time, which is great. That's what you want in a catcher. He did a great job behind the plate."

Red Sox catcher Christian Vazquez logged four at-bats in a minor-league game on Wednesday, and did not serve as a catcher, according to the Boston Globe. Vazquez has been sidelined for five days with a sore throwing elbow. He's expected to spend some days in minor-league games before he's cleared for Grapefruit League games.