MLB Player News

Soderstrom started at catcher in Sunday's spring training loss to the Giants. While it's unlikely that Soderstrom will be the backup catcher in addition to being the starter at first base, manager Mark Kotsay said he could play the position during the regular season, MLB.com reports.

Jhonny Pereda has likely won the backup catcher job behind Shea Langeliers, but it's possible Soderstrom could get enough playing time at catcher to qualify in some fantasy leagues. Soderstrom played just one game at catcher in the majors but logged 21 games at the position in Triple-A in 2024.

The Cardinals reassigned Collins to minor-league camp Sunday.

Collins will be heading into his second season in the Cardinals organization after producing a .796 OPS over 216 plate appearances at Triple-A Memphis in 2024. The 29-year-old is primarily a catcher, but he's also capable of playing first base in a pinch.

Atlanta assigned Casali to minor-league camp Sunday.

Casali was brought in by Atlanta on a minor-league deal in January after appearing in 41 regular-season games for the Giants in 2024. Even with Sean Murphy rehabbing from a fractured rib on his left side, Casali will start the 2025 campaign in Triple-A, leaving Drake Baldwin, Chadwick Tromp and Sandy Leon to battle for catching duties to begin the campaign.

Jeffers went 1-for-3 with a double in Saturday's spring training win over Atlanta. He's hitting .290 (9-for-31) this spring.

Jeffers stirred All-Star talk with a hot start to last season, hitting 12 home runs with an .892 OPS though his first 51 games. He faded in the second half though, managing seven home runs with a .632 OPS over his final 47 contests. Expect the Twins to make sure he gets plenty of rest as a result, as the team is expected to split playing time behind the plate between Jeffers and Christian Vazquez.

Morales is hitting .450 (9-for-20) with a home run this spring after going 1-for-3 in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against Atlanta.

Morales has made a strong impression this spring but is a long shot to win an Opening Day roster spot. However, his performance and versatility could make him a candidate for an early-season callup. Morales started Sunday's game in left field but has also played second base and catcher. He hit .290 with a .819 OPS and 10 home runs in 106 games last season between Double-A and Triple-A. He's not a top prospect and will turn 26 this season, but he could be a late bloomer who eventually finds his way to a productive major-league bench role.

The Marlins optioned Ramirez to Triple-A Jacksonville on Sunday.

Ramirez faced an uphill battle to make the Marlins' Opening Day roster, and as expected he'll begin the 2025 regular season in Triple-A. He was acquired by the Marlins from the Yankees in the Jazz Chisholm trade in late July, slashing .270/.368/.364 for Jacksonville with four home runs and 20 RBI across 125 plate appearances. Ramirez made a good impression during camp, and a strong start in Triple-A could see him jump to the major-league roster at some point during the 2025 campaign.

Diaz (illness) is starting behind the plate and batting cleanup in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Mets, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

The 26-year-old has been sidelined the past few days due to an illness but is ready to return to the lineup. Diaz has gone just 4-for-30 through 11 games in spring training, but he also had a .666 OPS last spring before turning in a .299/.325/.441 slash line with 16 homers during the regular season.

Wong (illness) is starting behind the plate and batting sixth in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Twins, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

Wong was scratched from the lineup Wednesday due to an illness, but he returned to team workouts Saturday and is ready for game action. The 28-year-old will begin the season as Boston's primary catcher after posting a .280/.333/.425 slash line with 13 homers and eight steals in 126 games during 2024.

Imaging on Trevino's right hand came back negative Saturday, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

After taking a foul tip off his right hand during Friday's contest, Trevino will avoid the injured list, as a CT scan revealed no fracture. The 32-year-old backstop will be thrust into a significant role for the first few weeks of the regular season while Tyler Stephenson works his way back from an oblique strain.

Trevino will receive a CT scan on his right hand Saturday, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Trevino was hit on the hand near the base of his thumb by a foul tip during Friday's game, forcing him to leave the contest early. His scan will help determine the severity of his injury, though manager Terry Francona said the backstop felt like he could have played in Saturday's exhibition game. Fellow catcher Tyler Stephenson (oblique) is also dealing with an injury and will miss the start of the season, so Austin Wynns could be in line for playing time if Trevino's scans reveal severe damage.