Let’s take a look at some of the latest MLB news and notes, including the New York Yankees staying consistent behind the plate, the Miami Marlins bringing the future to spring training, and the Arizona Diamondbacks taking a chance on relief pitcher Jeurys Familia.
New York Yankees news: Tanner Swanson stays on to boost behind the plate
It may not make the headlines as much as Aaron Judge coming back to the Yankees this season, but Tanner Swanson returning to his position as Major League Quality Control Coach and Director of Catching for the Yankees is still an important contract to be signed in the Bronx.
Source: The Yankees and catching coach Tanner Swanson agreed to a new contract. In Jose Trevino and Kyle Higashioka, the Yankees boasted one of the best defensive duos last year, according to Baseball Prospectus' fielding runs above average metric.
— Brendan Kuty 🧟♂️ (@BrendanKutyNJ) January 24, 2023
Last season, New York’s catchers finished eighth among all MLB teams in combined bWAR with 0.9. This season, the duo of Trevino and Higashioka will once again be counted on to be a plus for the Yankees as New York adds free agent prize Carlos Rodón to the rotation.
Miami Marlins news: Eury Perez earns invite to spring training
According to a tweet from Craig Mish, the Marlins are inviting 19-year-old right-hander Eury Pérez to Major League camp as a non-roster invitee. Miami’s top-ranked prospect, Pérez reached Double-A last season, making 17 starts and posting a 4.08 ERA/1.16 WHIP over 75.0 innings. During that span, Pérez struck out 106 batters and limited opponents to a .223 batting average.
MLB.com projects that Pérez could make his MLB debut sometime this season, and Marlins coaches will get a better look at him this spring to determine if that timeline is possible.
MLB news: Jeurys Familia finds a new home with the Arizona Diamondbacks
According to USA Today‘s Bob Nightengale, the Diamondbacks have signed Familia, who spent 10 seasons with the New York Mets, to a a minor-league contract with an invitation to spring training.
The 33-year-old right-hander split time between the Philadelphia Phillies and Boston Red Sox last season, logging a 6.09 ERA/4.94 FIP/1.805 WHIP in 44.1 innings over 48 games.
Familia signed with the Phillies last offseason, but was released on August 6. Three days later, he signed with Boston.
In 2016, Familia earned his only All-Star bid in the midst of a 51-save season. Following that and a 43-save performance in 2015, Familia was one of the most formidable closers in the game during that stretch with the Mets. However, an arterial clot sidelined him for a majority of the 2017 campaign and Familia has struggled to find his dominant form ever since.