MLB Player News

Kirk will be the Blue Jays' regular catcher while Danny Jansen (wrist) is sidelined, Jayson Stark of The Athletic reports.

Jansen has been diagnosed with a small fracture in the pisiform bone of his right wrist. The Jays are hoping he will miss just a couple weeks and can return early in the regular season, but that seems like a best-case scenario for a guy who's dealt with plenty of injuries. It creates an opportunity for Kirk to be the everyday catcher for a while, giving him an early-season playing time boost. Brian Serven or Payton Henry will serve as Kirk's backup while Jansen is out.

Raleigh went 2-for-3 with a two-run home run in a Cactus League win over the Brewers on Thursday.

Raleigh was one of three Mariners to leave the yard Thursday, and his third-inning homer was his third of what has been a stellar spring at the plate thus far. Raleigh is now hitting .400 and has knocked in 10 runs for the Mariners in 25 plate appearances, encouragingly striking out just five times over that span after posting a 27.8 percent strikeout rate in 2023.

Jackson has a .325 OPS while striking out seven times across 19 plate appearances in Grapefruit League action.

Jackson entered spring training as the favorite to win the backup catcher job, though his performance to this point hasn't helped his cause. The team has also since added Francisco Mejia on a minor-league deal, so Jackson may no longer be in the picture for a roster spot to begin the regular season.

Wynns is battling shoulder soreness, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Wynns is still able to hit, but the shoulder injury has impacted his ability to play behind the dish. At the moment there is no telling how long Wynns will be out, but his injury could significantly harm his chances at making the Reds' Opening Day roster.

Moreno was scratched from Arizona's Cactus League lineup Thursday due to lower-back tightness, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Manager Torey Lovullo emphasized that Moreno's back is "nothing to be alarmed with," but the D-backs will act with caution nonetheless. Tucker Barnhart will enter to catch Thursday and Friday.

McGuire was scratched from the Red Sox's lineup ahead of Thursday's spring training game against the Phillies due to an illness, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

McGuire will likely sit out the Red Sox's next few games as he recovers from his illness. The 29-year-old is 4-for-18 with a run scored this spring and appears in line to back up Connor Wong behind the dish this season.

D'Arnaud went 1-for-2 with a double, a walk and two runs scored in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Orioles.

The veteran backstop has had a solid start to his spring, batting .333 (5-for-15) through seven games, but Wednesday's double was his first extra-base hit. With Sean Murphy locked into the starting role behind the plate and Marcell Ozuna an everyday designated hitter, d'Arnaud could see his workload decline a bit further this season -- he went from 426 plate appearances in 2022 to 292 in 2023. Atlanta also signed Adam Duvall to bolster its outfield, likely further locking in Ozuna as a DH.

Maile went 3-for-4 with a home run, five RBI and an additional run scored in Wednesday's spring game against San Francisco.

Balls were flying out the park in Scottsdale, as the two teams combined for 10 home runs in a 19-11 victory for the Reds. Maile's grand slam was one of seven homers for Cincinnati. He's on a tear this spring, batting .471 with a 1.432 OPS, including two home runs and nine RBI. Maile is slated to back up Tyler Stephenson at catcher.

Smith was scratched from the lineup Wednesday for the Dodgers' Cactus League game against the Mariners due to low-back tightness, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Smith should be fine to play a week from now when the Dodgers take on the Padres for the first of two games in South Korea to kick off their regular season. The Dodgers felt no need to push Smith to play in their final Cactus League game, so Austin Barnes will handle catching duties Wednesday.

Manager Bob Melvin said Wednesday that Bailey (hand) will be unavailable to play for a few days, Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Bailey avoided any fractures when he took a foul ball off his right hand in Cactus League action Tuesday, but he's dealing with some swelling and discoloration and is unable to make a fist. He'll undergo treatment and will rest a bit before returning to spring games.