MLB Player News

Contreras went 1-for-1 with a walk and a two-run home run in Tuesday's Cactus League game against the Diamondbacks.

Contreras is only batting .222 this spring, though his 1.089 OPS is much more impressive. The veteran catcher did not reach a deal with the Cubs before the arbitration deadline earlier this month, so he will have a hearing coming up in the near future. Contreras is under team control through the end of 2022, though Chicago could of course trade him at some point during the season. For now, he profiles as the team's everyday backstop, with Yan Gomes serving in a reserve role.

McCann (back) will start at catcher and bat eighth in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Marlins.

Just as manager Buck Showalter said would be the case, McCann is ready to go after he was sidelined for game action over the past week while dealing with back soreness. The missed time shouldn't affect McCann's preparation for Opening Day. He's projected to serve as the Mets' clear No. 1 catcher in 2022 after the team didn't add much in the way of competition during the offseason.

The Mets sent Alvarez to minor-league spring training Monday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Alvarez was in big-league camp with the Mets but never had a realistic chance of making the Opening Day roster. The 20-year-old, who is New York's top prospect, spent most of the 2021 campaign at High-A Brooklyn, where he hit .247/.351/.538 with 22 home runs, 58 RBI and six stolen bases in 84 games. He's likely to start out 2022 with Double-A Binghamton given his success at Brooklyn last season.

Wynns was assigned to minor-league camp on Monday.

Wynns was in camp as a non-roster invitee but faced long odds to crack the Opening Day roster. The Phillies already have Garrett Stubbs, Donny Sands and Rafael Marchan on the 40-man roster to provide depth behind J.T. Realmuto, so it would take multiple injuries for Wynns to earn a spot.

Amaya (elbow) was optioned to Double-A Tennessee on Monday, Tony Andracki of Marquee Sports Network reports

Amaya underwent Tommy John surgery back in November and is still rehabbing. He doesn't have a clear timeline for his return to action.

The Brewers optioned Sullivan to Triple-A Nashville on Monday.

The versatile Sullivan had been hopeful to break camp with the Brewers as a No. 3 catcher and reserve option in the infield and outfield, but the fact that he has minor-league options remaining likely worked against him in his bid for the Opening Day roster. The 28-year-old will thus have to wait longer to make his MLB debut, though the fact that he possesses a spot on the 40-man roster bodes well for his chances of earning a call-up if the Brewers' position-player depth is tested at any point.

Contreras could spend some time in the outfield at the Triple-A level this season in an effort to increase his defensive versatility, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Contreras has a clearer path to being the catcher of the future in Atlanta after Shea Langeliers was traded to Oakland in the Matt Olson deal, but the team is set at the position right now with Travis d'Arnaud and Manny Pina. Adding the ability to play the outfield would make it easier to get Contreras' bat in the lineup, though that bat hasn't looked particularly special through his first 56 MLB games, as he's hit a modest .225/.308/.405.

Manager Buck Showalter said McCann (back) is "ready to go" and will play in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Marlins, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

McCann has been battling back tightness throughout the past week but is poised to retake the field Tuesday for the Mets. The 31-year-old should be able to get up to speed for Opening Day, assuming he avoids any setbacks.

Gomes went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Saturday's Cactus League game against the Padres.

Gomes is off to a bit of a slow start this spring, as he's batting just .143 through six Cactus League games, but the veteran should be just fine for the regular season. He is expected to serve as the backup to Willson Contreras at catcher, though the Cubs could trade the latter at some point this year, which would presumably open up more playing time for Gomes. As it stands, the 34-year-old likely won't see enough playing time to make much of a fantasy impact.

Kolozsvary was optioned to Triple-A Louisville on Saturday, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Kolozsvary appeared in three spring games this year and went 1-for-5 with three strikeouts. He'll begin the 2022 campaign in Louisville after he hit .207 with a homer, nine runs and two RBI in 19 appearances with the club last year.