MLB Player News

After going 0-for-2 in a Cactus League game against the Mariners on Friday, Gomes is batting .286 this spring.

Gomes has only one extra-base hit so far in six spring games, though the .286 average is encouraging. The veteran catcher batted .308 for the Cubs last spring training, then went on to have a solid age-35 season, batting .267 and swatting 10 home runs across 116 games. His numbers may not jump off the page, but Gomes should be a solid complement to the younger Miguel Amaya this year, and both figure to see playing time.

Basallo (elbow) will make his spring debut early next week before playing in the Spring Breakout game Thursday, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

The 19-year-old hasn't seen the field so far in camp while recovering from a stress fracture in his right elbow, but he's just about fully cleared for hitting. Basallo isn't expected to be ready to catch in games until the second half of April, so there's still significant rehab work left to go.

Alvarez went 1-for-2 with a two-run home run in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Nationals.

The young catcher took Richard Bleier deep in the fifth inning for his second homer of the spring. Alvarez slugged 25 long balls in 2023 but hit only .209 with a 26.0 percent strikeout rate and an 8.0 percent walk rate, so improving his control over the strike zone will be key to him taking a step forward as a hitter. So far in camp he's done just that, going 3-for-12 over six games with a 4:2 BB:K.

Murphy (illness) is starting behind the plate and batting third in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Pirates.

The 29-year-old hasn't seen game action in a week due to a stomach bug, but he'll return to the field for Friday's exhibition. Murphy had a career-high 21 homers with an .843 OPS in 108 games last season, though Travis d'Arnaud should continue to see plenty of reps as Atlanta's secondary catcher in 2024.

Manager Aaron Boone has praised Wells for his defensive improvement this spring, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Wells is a highlyregarded prospect in the Yankees' system, primarily based on his hit tool and potential to hit for power. His skills profile would stand out particularly well if he can stick at catcher, though his defense has raised questions in the past. The team has given Wells the chance to prove his ability at the position this spring, and he seems to be taking advantage.

Sanchez (hand) took six at-bats on the back fields Wednesday and could make his Cactus League debut before his initial March 14 estimate, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Working his way back from a right hand injury, Sanchez had a home run, a double and a single in those six at-bats and felt good, with Brewers manager Pat Murphy saying the catcher could play "very soon." The 31-year-old will back up William Contreras at catcher and is also expected to receive ample playing time at designated hitter for Milwaukee this season.

Jansen (illness) will start at catcher and bat cleanup Thursday in the Blue Jays' Grapefruit League game against the Tigers.

He'll be back in the lineup for the first time since Saturday after a fever kept him out of commission for a few days. Jansen is once again projected to begin the 2024 season in a timeshare at catcher with Alejandro Kirk.

Murphy is slated to return to Atlanta's Grapefruit League lineup Friday against the Pirates after being sidelined by a stomach bug, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Murphy hasn't played in a week, and the illness provides an explanation behind his absence. Thankfully, he looks to be past the illness by this point, so he should be cleared to catch Friday, barring any setbacks leading up to the start of the game. Murphy -- who is 2-for-6 with two RBI this spring -- will be atop Atlanta's catching depth chart again in 2024, though Travis d'Arnaud should see plenty of reps as the No. 2 option.

Trevino (calf) will make his Grapefruit League debut Sunday against Atlanta, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Trevino tweaked a calf just before the start of camp but has progressed well since then and is finally ready to test his health in a game setting. The veteran catcher is projected to share duties behind the plate this season with Austin Wells.

Barnes (back) will start at catcher and bat eighth Wednesday in the Dodgers' Cactus League game against the White Sox.

Barnes was scratched from Tuesday's lineup because of a back issue, but he's back behind the plate a day later. The 34-year-old is again slated to be Will Smith's understudy at catcher this season for the Dodgers.