MLB Player News
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William Contreras C | MIL
Brewers' William Contreras: Reaches deal with Brewers
Contreras (finger) signed a one-year contract with the Brewers on Thursday to avoid arbitration.
Contreras' new deal also includes a club option for the 2027 season. The 28-year-old's production dipped a bit in 2025, as he slashed .260/.355/.399 with 17 homers, 76 RBI and 89 runs scored over 150 regular-season games while playing through a fractured finger for most of the year. He underwent surgery in the offseason to address the issue and is expected to be fully recovered by Opening Day.
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Keibert Ruiz C | WAS
Nationals' Keibert Ruiz: Cleared of concussion restrictions
Ruiz has been cleared of any concussion symptoms to begin spring training, Jessica Camerato of MLB.com reports.
The 27-year-old was limited to only 68 games last season after being struck in the head by a foul ball in late June, but Ruiz's offensive numbers were lagging even prior to the concussion issues that cost him the final three months of 2025. He'll compete in camp with Harry Ford, acquired from the Mariners in the Jose Ferrer trade this offseason, for the top job behind the plate with the Nationals.
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Agustin Ramirez C | MIA
Marlins' Agustin Ramirez: Working hard to improve defense
Ramirez has committed himself this offseason to improving his defense behind the plate, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports. "I was learning something new every game," Ramirez said Wednesday about his rookie campaign in the majors. "That's what I was experiencing last season. I'm coming with that experience this year. It feels really good because you know exactly where to go and what to do."
The 24-year-old has already impressed with the offensive side of his game -- he was the first rookie catcher in MLB history to record 20 homers and 15 steals in a season -- but Ramirez's defense needs a lot of work. He spent the offseason in the Dominican Republic working on his mobility, to improve his range and ability to block balls in the dirt, but that's not the only hole in his skill set. Ramirez's minus-14 defensive runs saves in 2025 included a rough 8.8 percent caught-stealing rate, as base stealers were successful on 82 of 91 attempts against him. His bat will be a fixture in the Marlins' lineup in 2026, but if Ramirez's defense continues to be an issue, he could be moved to first base or DH considering top catching prospect Joe Mack is knocking on the door at Triple-A.
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Gary Sanchez C | MIL
Brewers' Gary Sanchez: Grabs deal from Brewers
The Brewers signed Sanchez (knee) to a one-year, $1.75 million contract Wednesday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.
Sanchez spent the 2024 season with the Brewers, slashing .220/.307/.392 with 11 home runs over 89 regular-season contests. He was limited to only 29 contests last season with Baltimore due to a knee injury, and it's unclear whether he will have any limitations in camp with Milwaukee. Sanchez should open 2026 as the backup catcher behind William Contreras (finger). He could also see the occasional start at designated hitter versus left-handed pitching.
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Luke Maile C | KC
Royals' Luke Maile: Not in Royals camp
Maile is not in Royals camp due to a personal issue, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Maile was re-signed last week to a minor-league contract with an invitation to spring training, but he has not reported and is no longer listed on the roster. The Royals are open to Maile rejoining the team if and when he is ready, but his status for now is in flux.
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Ben Rortvedt C | NYM
Dodgers' Ben Rortvedt: Booted off 40-man roster
The Dodgers designated Rortvedt for assignment Wednesday.
Rortvedt will be removed from the Dodgers' 40-man roster for the second time this offseason after previously being designated for assignment in November. The team will hope to keep him around as catching depth at Triple-A if he clears waivers this time around.
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Endy Rodriguez C | PIT
Pirates' Endy Rodriguez: Ready to go for spring training
Rodriguez (elbow) took live batting practice against Mitch Keller on Wednesday and appears to be fully healthy for spring training, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Rodriguez closed 2025 on the shelf after undergoing ulnar nerve transposition surgery on his right elbow Aug. 12, but he was able to resume a throwing program over the winter. Since he had also been limited to only a handful of rehab games during the 2024 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery on the same elbow, Rodriguez's long-term future as a catcher is in some doubt, but the Pirates don't appear ready to move him off the position just yet. Henry Davis and Joey Bart remain the frontrunners to open 2026 as the Pirates' top two catchers, but with a strong spring at the plate, Rodriguez could still push his way onto the Opening Day roster as a No. 3 backstop and a backup option at first base.
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Ben Rice 1B | NYY
Yankees' Ben Rice: Will still get regular reps vs. LHP
Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Wednesday that Rice will play regularly against lefties in addition to righties this season, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.
The Yankees re-signed Paul Goldschmidt last week, giving Rice a potential roadblock to everyday playing time at first base. However, while Goldschmidt will be given starts against lefty hurlers as a short-side platoon option, Rice is still expected to see plenty of action versus southpaws. Boone also noted that Rice could see a little playing time at catcher on days Goldschmidt starts at first base.
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Yainer Diaz C | HOU
Astros' Yainer Diaz: Coming back from foot sprain
Diaz is behind schedule with his running program after suffering a left foot sprain during the Dominican Winter League, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Diaz is participating in other baseball activities and will catch Tatsuya Imai's bullpen session Wednesday, but he's a tad behind with his running. It does not sound like an injury that will sideline Diaz long, but the Astros could hold him out of the first handful of Grapefruit League games just to be safe.
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Dillon Dingler C | DET
Tigers' Dillon Dingler: Recovering from elbow scope
Dingler will be eased into spring training after undergoing arthroscopic right elbow surgery, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.
It's unclear when exactly Dingler had the operation, but he had a similar surgery two years ago and does not expect to be sidelined for much of camp. Dingler -- who won a Gold Glove in 2025 -- should be fine for Opening Day, but if his recovery lags, Jake Rogers would step in as the Tigers' primary catcher.