MLB Player News

Knizner will open the season as the Cardinals' backup catcher, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Knizner has gone just 4-for-42 (.095) through 14 games this spring in the Grapefruit League, but he still managed to fend off a challenge from Tres Barrera. It probably came down to experience in the end, as Knizner was the locked-in backup to Yadier Molina the last two years. He'll now fill the same role behind offseason addition Willson Contreras.

Smith is back in the Dodgers' Cactus League lineup Thursday against the Diamondbacks.

Smith will start behind the plate and bat third. He didn't get many at-bats for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic while mostly serving as J.T. Realmuto's backup, so the Dodgers figure to push him harder than usual over what remains of the Cactus League schedule. The 27-year-old has gone as the No. 3 catcher-eligible player off the board in most fantasy drafts for 2023, behind only Realmuto and Daulton Varsho.

Stubbs (knee) took batting practice Thursday morning, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Stubbs still hasn't appeared in a Grapefruit League game since he had to bow out of the World Baseball Classic with a mild right knee sprain, but the 29-year-old catcher is fully expected to be ready to serve as J.T. Realmuto's backup come Opening Day.

Serven has struck out 20 times across 42 plate appearances during Cactus League games this spring.

Serven is all but locked into a roster spot, so even his slow spring performance isn't likely to change his status for Opening Day. However, he may lose out on playing time to Elias Diaz -- the Rockies' other catcher that will start the campaign in the majors --until he can show he can get back on track at the dish.

Nola (nose) will go through baseball activities Wednesday, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Nola suffered a broken nose as a result of a hit-by-pitch during Sunday's Cactus League game against the Cubs. However, while surely still in some pain, he has not been ruled out for Opening Day. Being able to get through Wednesday's workout with no issues figures to go a long way in determining his status.

Cardinals manager Oli Marmol said Wednesday that Contreras is likely to bat fifth this season, Ben Frederickson of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Marmol added that Paul Goldschmidt will likely hit third, with Nolan Arenado handling cleanup duties. Brendan Donovan figures to serve as the primary leadoff man in most pitching matchups and Tyler O'Neill could open as the No. 2 hitter. Lars Nootbaar and Tommy Edman might regularly factor into that top-of-the-order mix as well. Contreras signed a five-year, $87.5 million contract with St. Louis in December and has posted a .367 batting average and .891 OPS through 33 plate appearances this spring in Grapefruit League play.

Marlins manager Skip Schumaker said he's hopeful that Fortes (knee) will be ready to return to the Grapefruit League lineup Friday versus the Astros, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Fortes has been sidelined since March 17 with right knee tendinitis, but he already seems to have made significant progress in his recovery. He took batting practice and was involved in all defensive drills Tuesday, with Schumaker revealing that Fortes is feeling good a day later. The Marlins will check back in with Fortes following Thursday's off day, but if he continues to feel well, the 26-year-old will likely be back behind the dish Friday.

Pineda (finger) was spotted catching Patrick Corbin's bullpen session Wednesday at Nationals camp, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

Pineda hasn't played in any Grapefruit League games since March 4 while he recovers from a right pinkie finger displacement, but the Nationals haven't shut him down from baseball activities. However, Pineda has yet to resume hitting and appeared to be tossing the ball lightly back to Corbin during the bullpen session, so the catcher doesn't look as though he's fully moved past the injury. Expect Washington to option Pineda to Triple-A Rochester in the coming days.

Moreno (hand) is expected to take on a larger role after Carson Kelly suffered a fractured forearm, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

Moreno, who was the key piece in the Daulton Varsho trade, was expected to share catching duties with Kelly. That situation could serve as a "good runway" -- the words of general manager Mike Hazen -- for Moreno to eventually take on a greater role. Kelly's injury, which will sideline him for months, moves up the timetable for Moreno, whose hand injury is considered a minor one. Jose Herrera could slot in as the backup.

The Mets optioned Alvarez to Triple-A Syracuse on Wednesday.

Though Alvarez remains the Mets' long-term plan at catcher, he had been splitting time behind the plate and at designated hitter this spring while easing his way back from the ankle surgery he underwent last October. Alvarez is expected to see the bulk of his starts at catcher early in the season at Triple-A, and if he's able to acquit himself well defensively while continuing to draw walks and hit for power, he may not have to wait long for a call-up to the big leagues. The Mets brought in Omar Narvaez in free agency on a two-year deal over the winter, but he took a major step back with the bat in 2022 and is viewed as a placeholder until Alvarez is deemed ready for the full-time catching job.