MLB Player News

Mets general manager Sandy Alderson told WFAN on Thursday that for catcher Travis d'Arnaud to make the 25-man roster out of spring training, he would have to win the catcher's job. “I just don’t want to rule anything out,” Alderson said, in a transcript provided by the Daily News. “But at the same time, I don’t want to create false expectations for our fans or put pressure on Travis."

MLB.com reports Royals catcher Salvador Perez was named rookie of the year in the Venezuelan Winter League. Perez hit .371 with eight homers, 10 doubles and 39 RBI in 32 games for Tiburones. He also had 23 runs, .412 on-base percentage, .629 slugging percentage and 1.041 OPS.

Starting pitcher R.A. Dickey isn't the only one headed to Toronto in a deal that sent Travis d'Arnaud, Noah Syndergaard and Wulimer Becerra to the Mets Monday. He'll be joined by catcher Josh Thole, who caught Dickey for the majority of his Cy Young season. The Blue Jays also acquired Mike Nickeas in the deal. Thole hit .234 with one home run in 321 at-bats for the Mets last season.

Given their collection of young catchers, the Blue Jays were hesitant to promote top prospect Travis d'Arnaud to the majors for the start of 2013. Now, it's not their decision to make. The Blue Jays have traded d'Arnaud, along with Noah Syndergaard, John Buck and Wulimer Becerra to the Mets for R.A. Dickey, Josh Thole and Mike Nickeas. The deal had been in the works all weekend but was contingent on the Blue Jays agreeing to an extension with Dickey, which happened Monday.

Washington recalled pitcher John Lannan, catcher Sandy Leon and outfielder Eury Perez from Triple-A Syracuse on Saturday with rosters expanding. The team also reinstated infielder Mark DeRosa from the disabled list. Washington also activated Jhonatan Solano from the disabled list and optioned him to Double-A Harrisburg.

Brewers catcher Martin Maldonado went deep for the seventh time this season on Tuesday during a loss at Colorado. Maldonado mashed a solo shot in the fifth inning off starter Tyler Chatwood. He finished the game 2 for 4 and added an RBI double and two runs scored. He is now batting .283 on the season.

The Blue Jays acquired catcher Tuffy Gosewisch from the Phillies for cash considerations prior to Tuesday's non-waiver trade deadline. Gosewisch hit just .192 with four home runs and 20 RBI in 65 games for Triple-A Lehigh this season.

In the first major deal leading up to the July 31 MLB Trade Deadline, the Blue Jays and Astros announced a 10-player move Friday. Houston will receive seven players from Toronto in the trade, including relief pitcher Francisco Cordero, outfielder Ben Francisco, relief pitcher Joe Musgrove, starting pitcher Asher Wojciechowski, pitcher David Rollins and catcher Carlos Perez, along with a player to be named later. In exchange for the seven players, Toronto received starting pitcher J.A. Happ, relief pitcher Brandon Lyon and relief pitcher David Carpenter.

The Tigers sent catching prospect James McCann to minor league camp on Monday, reports MLB.com. McCann is just 21 years of age.