MLB Player News

Nola (nose) left a minor-league contest Saturday after taking a foul tip to his non-catching hand, Bob Scanlan of Bally Sports San Diego reports.

It hasn't been the most enjoyable spring for Nola, who suffered a fractured nose after getting hit in the face by a pitch March 19. He returned to the field Saturday to catch for Yu Darvish in a minor-league contest, but the backstop was forced to depart after taking a foul tip to his left hand. Nola was already uncertain for Opening Day due to the nose injury, and it's uncertain whether the hand issue will further complicate his ability to be ready for Thursday's opener.

Perez will be a part of San Francisco's Opening Day roster, Evan Webeck of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Perez was signed to a minor league-deal with an invite to MLB spring training, and the Giants will have to purchase his contract in the coming days. He could see a good deal of playing time in 2023, but he likely will open the year as the backup backstop to Joey Bart.

Murphy went 2-for-3 with a walk, a double and an RBI in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Red Sox.

The catcher hasn't gone yard yet this spring -- in fact, Friday's double was his second extra-base hit -- but Murphy should supply plenty of pop once the games start to count. The 28-year-old set new career highs with 18 home runs, 37 doubles and 66 RBI in 2022 with Oakland, and his home ballpark and lineup support both got major upgrades over the winter. Even if his workload gets scaled back as expected from last year's 611 plate appearances, Murphy might still improve on his fantasy numbers.

Barrera won't play for the remained of the Grapefruit League schedule due to knee soreness, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Barrera had a chance to win the backup catcher job in spring training, but he went 2-for-13 with a double, a home run and two RBI over 12 spring games. Andrew Knizner appears set to open the season as the backup catcher, so there's a good chance Barrera is reassigned to Triple-A Memphis soon. He's on a minor-league and will serve as organizational depth at catcher.

Narvaez went 2-for-3 with a walk, a solo home run and a second run scored in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Rays.

The sixth-inning shot off Kyle Crick was the catcher's first homer of the spring. Narvaez will split time behind the plate with Tomas Nido this season -- at least until top prospect Francisco Alvarez is deemed ready. After a slow start to his spring prior to leaving for the WBC, Narvaez is now batting .300 (6-for-20).

Campusano leads San Diego with three home runs in Cactus League play, and he's slashing .231/.333/.654 with a 4:6 BB:K over 31 plate appearances.

Campusano has only two homers through his first 85 big-league at-bats, but he went deep 14 times in 319 bats in Triple-A last season after hitting 15 long balls each of the previous two full minor-league seasons. Austin Nola (nose) projects to be the Padres' primary catcher to begin the campaign, but Campusano should be his backup and could push for more playing time if he swings the bat well.

Fortes (knee) will start at catcher and bat eighth in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

As expected, Fortes will return to action after missing a week with tendinitis in his right knee. The plan is for him to catch again Sunday as he looks to make up for lost time. The Marlins' projected backup catcher, Fortes is 4-for-16 in exhibition play this spring.

Fortes (knee) is slated to catch in Grapefruit League games Saturday and Sunday, Jordnn McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Fortes has been battling some right knee tendinitis, but he's well on track to be available as Jacob Stallings' backup for Opening Day. Fortes caught in a back-field game Friday in Marlins camp and said he felt good.

Sabol is expected to be part of the Giants' Opening Day roster, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Sabol has torched Cactus League pitching with a 1.173 OPS and three home runs. He is in line to operate as the Giants' third catcher and also should see some run in the outfield, especially with the club battling injuries there.

Caratini is 9-for-23 (.391) with a home run, three RBI and a 3:3 BB:K through 10 appearances this spring.

Caratini owns a .932 OPS over 98 career exhibition games, so his hot spring is not particularly surprising. It has, though, ensured he will break camp as the backup catcher behind William Contreras.