Zunino has gone 2-for-23 (.087) over 10 Cactus League games.
Zunino entered camp recovering from thoracic outlet syndrome surgery, but he was able to go through a normal progression with no setbacks in spring play. The 31-year-old rarely hits for much of an average -- his career high is .251 in 2017, but that's his only season above .220. He should begin the year in the a starting role for the Guardians, but top prospect Bo Naylor could push his way onto the roster at some point in the summer.
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Guardians' Mike Zunino: Making second start of spring
Rotowire
Zunino (shoulder) will start at catcher and bat cleanup in Monday's Cactus League game against the Cubs.
He'll be making his second start of spring training behind the dish after he went 0-for-2 in his debut in Saturday's 4-3 loss to the Reds in the Cactus League opener. Zunino didn't play after mid-June of last season after developing a left shoulder injury that was ultimately diagnosed as thoracic outlet syndrome. The veteran backstop appears to have bounced back well from surgery, however, and after inking a one-year, $6 million deal with the Guardians in December, he's projected to open the upcoming campaign as the team's No. 1 catcher.
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Guardians' Mike Zunino: Could be ready for spring opener
Rotowire
Zunino (shoulder) could be ready for the Cactus League opener Feb. 25 against the Reds, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.
Zunino underwent thoracic outlet surgery in July while a member of the Rays, and missed the second half of the 2022 campaign. He agreed to a one-year, $6 million contract with the Guardians in December, and early reports indicate that the backstop will have no restrictions in Arizona during Cactus League play. Zunino offers more real-life value than fantasy value because of his elite defense, but there is a chance his impressive raw power could give him relevance in certain formats.
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Guardians' Mike Zunino: Latches on with Cleveand
Rotowire
Zunino (shoulder) agreed to a one-year, $6 million contract with the Guardians on Tuesday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.
Zunino underwent thoracic outlet surgery in July but expects to be ready to go for the start of spring training. His veteran presence will allow the Guardians to ease youngster Bo Naylor into things behind the plate. Zunino really struggled in 2022 before getting injured but slugged 33 home runs in 2021. He also has a superb defensive reputation.
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Rays' Mike Zunino: Rebounding well from TOS surgery
Rotowire
Zunino (shoulder) said Thursday that he feels symptom-free and believes he'll be fully cleared in advance of spring training after undergoing thoracic syndrome surgery July 28, Steve Carney of MLB.com reports.
Zunino won't return from the 60-day injured list in 2022, but he could be cleared to begin baseball activities in the weeks to come and may be in store for a relatively normal offseason if he experiences no setbacks in his recovery. The 31-year-old will become a free agent this offseason, but he's made no secret that he would welcome a return to Tampa Bay if the interest is mutual. After making his first All-Star team in 2021 while slugging a career-high 33 home runs, Zunino took a step back offensively this season before being shut down due to the surgery. He slashed .148/.195/.304 with five home runs and a 37.4 percent strikeout rate across 123 plate appearances.
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Rays' Mike Zunino: Ruled out for season
Rotowire
Zunino (shoulder) will undergo thoracic outlet syndrome surgery that will force him to miss the remainder of the season, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Zunino wasn't eligible to return from the injured list until at least mid-August after being transferred to the 60-day IL on July 15, but he'll be held out for the remainder of the season due to his shoulder surgery. The 31-year-old hit .148 with five home runs, 16 RBI and seven runs over 36 games in 2022 and is slated to become a free agent during the offseason. Francisco Mejia and Christian Bethancourt should continue to serve as the Rays' top options at catcher unless the team acquires another backstop at the trade deadline.
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Rays' Mike Zunino: Shifts to 60-day injured list
Rotowire
Zunino (shoulder) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Friday, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.
Zunino has been out since early June with left shoulder inflammation. He recently received treatment on his neck to deal with tingling down his arm and doesn't appear to be close to a return, something this transaction confirms. He'll now be out until mid-August at the earliest. Christian Bethancourt and Francisco Mejia should continue splitting time behind the plate in his absence. Zunino's vacated 40-man roster spot will go to Luis Patino, who returned from his own trip to the 60-day injured list.
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Rays' Mike Zunino: Gets another neck treatment
Rotowire
Rays manager Kevin Cash said that Zunino received a neck treatment Monday to address tingling between his shoulder and finger, Andrew Crane of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
The team will wait and see how Zunino responds to treatment over the next few days before determining the next course of action for the catcher, who was initially placed on the injured list June 10 with a left shoulder injury. More than a month later, Zunino has yet to resume baseball activities, so he doesn't look as though he'll be ready to come off the IL immediately following the All-Star break even if the recent treatment he received yields the desired effect.
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Rays' Mike Zunino: Slated to receive injection
Rotowire
Zunino (shoulder) will receive a Botox shot in an attempt to help in his recovery process, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Manager Kevin Cash said Thursday that it's possible Zunino is dealing with thoracic outlet syndrome, and the team will have to wait 3-to-6 days following the injection to see if it has an impact in his recovery. The backstop will presumably require more than the minimum of 10 days on the injured list, and a recovery timetable is unlikely to be known until the Rays see how Zunino responds to the injection.
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Rays' Mike Zunino: Heading for MRI
Rotowire
Zunino isn't making the desired progress in his recovery from a left shoulder injury and will undergo an MRI, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Zunino hit the injured list Friday, meaning he'd be eligible to return next Monday, but this latest update means it's seemingly unlikely that he'll be able to do so. Exactly when he's expected back should become clearer once the results of his MRI are known. Francisco Mejia could wind up spending more time than expected as the team's primary catcher.
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Rays' Mike Zunino: Nursing shoulder injury
Rotowire
Zunino is managing a left shoulder injury and could be placed on the injured list, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
The specifics and severity of the injury remain unknown, but Rene Pinto is joining the team in Minnesota on Friday for depth behind the plate. Zunino is 2-for-24 with nine strikeouts over his past eight contests, though it's unclear how much of a factor the shoulder issue has played in his recent struggles, Francisco Mejia should work as Tampa Bay's No. 1 backstop if Zunino indeed lands on the shelf.
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Rays' Mike Zunino: Remains out of lineup
Rotowire
Zunino isn't starting Wednesday's game against the Cardinals.
Zunino went 1-for-6 with a home run, two RBI, a walk and two strikeouts over his last two games, and he'll be out of the lineup for a second consecutive matchup. Francisco Mejia will start behind the plate and bat seventh.
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Rays' Mike Zunino: Day off Tuesday
Rotowire
Zunino is not in the lineup Tuesday against St. Louis, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Zunino has started more than two games in a row just once this season, and that came back in late April. He started both weekend games against the White Sox, so it will be Francisco Mejia behind the plate Tuesday.
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Rays' Mike Zunino: Goes yard Sunday
Rotowire
Zunino went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run Sunday against the White Sox.
Zunino took Lucas Giolito yard in the sixth inning to record his fifth homer of the campaign. He's collected only 17 hits in 112 at-bats this season, eight of which have gone for extra bases. That has translated to a disastrous .513 OPS, but Zunino still retains the primary duties behind the dish for the Rays.
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Rays' Mike Zunino: Not in Friday's lineup
Rotowire
Zunino isn't starting Friday against the White Sox, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.
Zunino has alternated starts behind the dish recently, and he'll take a seat after going 1-for-4 in Thursday's win over Texas. Francisco Mejia will start at catcher and bat sixth.
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Rays' Mike Zunino: Not starting Wednesday
Rotowire
Zunino isn't starting Wednesday against the Rangers, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Zunino went 0-for-11 with an RBI and six strikeouts over his last four games, and he continues to alternate starts behind the dish. Francisco Mejia will start at catcher and bat eighth.
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Rays' Mike Zunino: Takes seat Monday
Rotowire
Zunino isn't starting Monday against the Rangers.
Zunino went 0-for-8 with an RBI and three strikeouts over his last three games, and he'll be out of the lineup for the second time in the last three matchups. Francisco Mejia will start behind the dish and bat fifth.
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Rays' Mike Zunino: Riding pine Saturday
Rotowire
Zunino isn't starting Saturday against the Yankees, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.
Zunino will get a breather after he went 0-for-6 with a strikeout over the last two games. Francisco Mejia will start at catcher and bat seventh.
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Rays' Mike Zunino: On bench Wednesday
Rotowire
Zunino isn't starting Wednesday against the Marlins, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.
Zunino started in the last two games and went 2-for-8 with four strikeouts. Francisco Mejia will start behind the plate and bat seventh.
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Rays' Mike Zunino: Riding pine Saturday
Rotowire
Zunino isn't starting Saturday against the Orioles, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Zunino has recorded two extra-base hits in his last two games, going 2-for-7 with a home run, a double, three RBI and three strikeouts during that time. Francisco Mejia will start behind the dish and bat eighth Saturday.
