MLB Player News

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.

Jackson was optioned to Triple-A Jacksonville on Saturday, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Jackson made three Grapefruit League appearances this spring and went 0-for-5 with a walk and a strikeout. Since Jackson and Nick Fortes were both sent down Saturday, it appears as though Payton Henry will begin the year as the primary backup at catcher.

Fortes was optioned to Triple-A Jacksonville on Saturday, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Fortes appeared in three Grapefruit League games this spring and went 1-for-6 with a run. He should see regular playing time in Jacksonville to begin the year and will be an option to serve as depth behind the dish for the major-league club at some point.

McCann (back) is expected to return to game action Tuesday, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

A Tuesday return would see McCann miss one week with back tightness. He'll still have over a week to get up to speed before Opening Day if he makes it back at that point.

Alvarez went 1-for-2 with a solo home run in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Marlins.

The Mets' top prospect didn't start the game and his long ball came in the eighth inning against career minor-leaguer Aneurys Zabala, but it was still an impressive display from Alvarez. The catcher slugged 22 homers with an .889 OPS in 84 games for High-A Brooklyn last season as a teenager, and how he performs against much older pitchers in the high minors this year will go a long way toward determining his big-league ETA.

McCann (back) isn't starting Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Marlins, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

McCann was scratched from Tuesday's lineup due to back tightness, and he'll remain out of the lineup following Wednesday's day off. The team doesn't believe the 31-year-old's injury is serious, but Hayden Senger will start behind the dish and bat ninth Thursday.

Barnes (head) will start at catcher and bat seventh in Thursday's Cactus League game against the Rockies, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Just as manager Dave Roberts suggested Wednesday would be the case, Barnes is back in action following a two-day breather after he was struck in the catcher's mask by a foul tip in Monday's game against the White Sox. Barnes passed all concussion tests administered after exiting Monday's contest, and after experiencing no setbacks in the two days that followed, he'll be ready to handle his normal duties behind the plate. He'll likely form a battery with Clayton Kershaw on the days the veteran lefty pitches, but beyond that, Barnes may only get an additional start or two per week while No. 1 backstop Will Smith is at full health.