MLB Player News

Contreras, who has consistently performed better in the first half of seasons, could excel during a shortened 2020 slate, Max Goodman of SI.com reports.

For his career, Contreras has posted better offensive numbers across the board in the first half of seasons. Last year, he led the Cubs with a .294 average and .965 OPS through 82 games. This isn't particularly surprising, given the wear and tear that comes with playing catcher. Contreras could end up benefiting from a shortened schedule, especially if teams are allowed to operate with expanded rosters and Chicago decides to keep a third catcher on the roster.

Caratini could work as the Cubs' DH if MLB adopts a universal DH for a shortened 2020 season, Will Laws of SI.com reports.

Kyle Schwarber is perhaps the first name that comes to mind as a DH for the Cubs, but he's improved his defensive play to the point where Chicago may elect to keep him in left field. That could open things up for Caratini as the team looks to get his bat in the lineup along with No. 1 catcher Willson Contreras. Caratini's DH case would be bolstered if the team kept three catchers, which would provide added insurance behind Contreras and take some burden off Caratini as a defensive option.

Knizner would be a surefire addition to the Cardinals' roster were it to be expanded to 30 players for the 2020 regular season, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch opines.

Goold's assessment comes within a response to a reader question of which players would benefit if there were an extra four roster spots at manager Mike Shildt's disposal. Under such a scenario, Knizner would be the third catcher behind Yadier Molina and Matt Wieters on paper. However, if the minor-league season were canceled altogether, it's conceivable the Cardinals would treat Knizner as more of a "2A" option alongside Wieters in order to continue giving the projected backstop of the future semi-regular at-bats. Knizner's Grapefruit League body of work this year underscored that he could use the reps against big-league arms, as he hit just .154 (4-for-26) before spring training was suspended.

The Cardinals optioned Knizner to Triple-A Memphis on Thursday.

Knizner is viewed within the organization as the eventual successor to Yadier Molina, but the 25-year-old will head back to the farm to begin the campaign while the veteran enters the final year of his contract. With Knizner out of the running for an Opening Day job, Matt Wieters has made the club as the Cardinals' backup catcher.

Barrera was optioned to Triple-A Fresno on Thursday, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

This isn't all too surprising, as Barrera is buried behind a trio of veterans (Yan Gomes, Kurt Suzuki and Welington Castillo) on the depth chart. The backstop spent most of the 2019 season with Double-A Harrisburg, slashing .249/.323/.381 with eight home runs in 101 games.

Heineman was competing with Rob Brantly for the backup catching job before spring training was suspended, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Expected backup catcher Aramis Garcia underwent labrum surgery on his hip in early February and is out at least six months , leaving the Giants with a hole behind starter Buster Posey. Heineman didn't make a great case in spring training with a .489 OPS in 11 games, though Brantly also struggled in his own right.

Chicago manager David Ross said he has a "ton of confidence" in Caratini, Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reports.

Ross praised Caratini's ability to provide quality at-bats despite not playing every day and said he's one of the team's most valuable reserves. Willson Contreras is blocking the 26-year-old behind the plate and Anthony Rizzo has first base secured, but Caratini can capably spell either player. And if an injury opened up a more regular role, Caratini would have instant fantasy appeal.

Diaz and Drew Butera were making an argument for the Rockies to break camp with three catchers due to their impressive spring performances, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

While Diaz and Butera are in camp on minor-league contracts, they outperformed Tony Wolters and Dom Nunez, who are on the 40-man roster. Diaz hit .429 with a double, a triple, two walks and one strikeout in 21 spring at-bats. He also saw the most playing time of the four candidates. Wolters' spot as the primary catcher would seem to be safe, but Nunez, who hit .200 with six strikeouts in 15 spring at-bats, has minor-league options remaining, so he could open the year at Triple-A.

Despite struggling this spring, slashing .118/.318/.118 in 22 plate appearances, Casali's roster spot for Opening Day was secured when the Reds optioned Tyler Stephenson to Triple-A Louisville.

This was never really a job battle, at least to start. But Casali could be at risk later in the season should Stephenson thrive at Louisville. There are some rumors, however, that MLB will expand rosters to account for an accelerated return to action, which would then allow the Reds to carry three catchers and possibly promote Stephenson to the big-league squad.

Hedges is likely to make the Padres' Opening Day roster, but the amount of playing time he'll receive has not yet been decided, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Hedges led Padres backstops with 102 games last season, but he posted a paltry .176 batting average while striking out 109 times in 312 at-bats. His elite defense is likely to keep Hedges on the big-league roster, but he could see considerably less playing time if Francisco Mejia is able to complement his superior bat with improved skills behind the plate. Luis Torrens is also in contention for a roster spot but remains a longshot, per Cassavell.