MLB Player News
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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.
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Miguel Amaya C | CHC
Cubs' Miguel Amaya: Feels fully healthy
Amaya (ankle) said his body feels "100 percent, good to go" heading into the World Baseball Classic and the regular season, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.
Amaya had an injury-riddled 2025 campaign, with a sprained ankle in mid-August ultimately shutting him down. Before that, the catcher missed about two and a half months due to an oblique strain. Overall, Amaya managed to appear in only 28 games for the Cubs. He said he feels recovered now, and the backstop is prepared to play for Panama in the upcoming WBC as a ramp-up to the regular season. The 26-year-old did muster a career-best .814 OPS last year despite the injuries, and if he can stay healthy, he figures to split time behind the plate with Carson Kelly in 2026. While the arrangement could limit Amaya's ceiling, he still has the offensive talent to take a step forward from a fantasy perspective, particularly if Kelly slumps or gets hurt.
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Tyler Stephenson C | CIN
Reds' Tyler Stephenson: Wins arbitration case
Stephenson will earn $6.8 million in 2026 after winning his arbitration hearing against the Reds, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
The two sides went to a hearing despite just a $250,000 difference in their submitted arbitration figures, and the three-person panel ultimately picked Stephenson's filing. Stephenson put up a .737 OPS with 13 home runs over 88 regular-season contests for the Reds this past season and will be their top catcher again in 2026. He is slated to reach free agency next offseason.
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Sean Murphy C | ATL
Braves' Sean Murphy: Expected to be out until May
Murphy (hip) is expected to be sidelined until sometime in May, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.
Murphy had surgery in September to repair a right hip labral tear and is slated to begin running exercises Tuesday. He should stay back at extended spring training while his team his team heads north ahead of Opening Day, with a rehab assignment likely kicking off in April. Once healthy, Murphy is expected to share catching duties with Drake Baldwin.
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Jonah Heim C | ATL
Braves' Jonah Heim: Signs one-year deal with Atlanta
Atlanta signed Heim to a one-year contract Tuesday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.
Heim was non-tendered by the Rangers earlier in the offseason after slashing only .213/.271/.332 across 433 plate appearances in 2025, and his defensive metrics have also declined the last two years. Heim does have a good shot to break camp as the backup catcher behind Drake Baldwin while Sean Murphy (hip) recovers.
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Anthony Seigler C | BOS
Red Sox's Anthony Seigler: Traded to Boston
The Red Sox acquired Seigler in a trade with the Brewers on Monday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.
Seigler hit .194/.292/.210 in 34 games with the Brewers in 2025 but posted a .414 on-base percentage during his time at Triple-A Nashville. The 26-year-old offers unique positional versatility with an ability to play third base, second base, both corner outfield spots and catcher. Seigler has minor-league options remaining and seems likely to begin the 2026 campaign at Triple-A Worcester.
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Ben Rice 1B | NYY
Yankees' Ben Rice: Gets company at 1B in Goldschmidt
Rice is slated to be the Yankees' primary first baseman in 2026, but Paul Goldschmidt -- who the team re-signed Friday -- is expected to frequently start at the position against lefty pitchers, Randy Miller of NJ.com reports.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone said back in December that he expects Rice to play "a lot" against lefties this season, but New York's decision to bring back Goldschmidt -- who posted a standout .981 OPS against southpaws last year -- complicates matters. It doesn't necessarily mean that Rice will always sit against all left-handed starters; for those games, he could frequently move behind the plate to give fellow lefty hitter Austin Wells a break, and Rice may also be given turns at DH. With that in mind, fantasy managers need not downgrade Rice's outlook significantly, as Boone figures to get Rice's bat into the lineup on a near-everyday basis as long as he's hitting well. For those who roster Rice in dynasty and keeper leagues, the signing of Goldschmidt may end up being a good thing if it means Rice is able to maintain catcher eligibility beyond 2026.