MLB Player News

Manager Dave Roberts suggested Friday that Smith will start "somewhere around 90 games" this season, Jorge Castillo of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Roberts mentioned earlier this spring that Smith and Austin Barnes could pair in somewhat of a timeshare this season, and those plans appear to be taking shape given the manager's estimate for Smith's starts. This is far from positive news for fantasy managers who have invested in Smith as a top-three option at catcher based on his excellent 163 wRC+ last season -- tops among MLB catchers -- but it falls in line with the Dodgers' desire to give ample time to the defensively superior Barnes. Smith should still put up relatively strong numbers in comparison to other backstops, but his value will certainly take a hit if he is indeed sitting 2-3 times per week.

Marchan (hamstring) played in a simulated game Friday, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

J.T. Realmuto's fractured thumb could in theory give Marchan a chance to break camp as Andrew Knapp's backup, but it doesn't look as though that's going to happen. Realmuto appears to be on roughly the same schedule as Marchan, as he played in the same simulated game Friday, so there probably won't be a window where Marchan is healthy but Realmuto is still hurt.

Realmuto (thumb) participated in a simulated game Friday and could play in Grapefruit League action next week, Matt Breen of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

The 30-year-old was cleared for full baseball activity last week and quickly progressed to taking part in simulated games. Realmuto still has nearly two weeks to prepare for Opening Day, so a return to game action next week should allow him to avoid the injured list for the start of the season.

Maile was optioned to Triple-A Nashville on Friday, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

The 30-year-old joined Milwaukee on a major-league deal in December but won't open the season on the roster after going 1-for-9 with four strikeouts in five spring games. Maile may have a hard time cracking the big-league roster this season with Omar Narvaez, Manny Pina and Jacob Nottingham (thumb) still in the mix.

D'Arnaud has gone 3-for-15 (.200) through seven Grapefruit League games with a home run and a 2:4 BB:K.

The veteran catcher hasn't had much luck when it comes to hits falling in, but d'Arnaud's starting spot in Atlanta is in no jeopardy regardless of his final line this spring. He likely won't be able to duplicate last year's career-high .919 OPS over a full campaign, but d'Arnaud still figures to provide strong fantasy numbers for his position.

Caratini would replace Austin Nola (finger) as the team's starting catcher if Nola isn't ready by Opening Day, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Nola has been able to catch in recent days without any issues, but he has yet to resume full workouts. If swinging a bat with his fractured left middle finger proves to be problematic, Caratini could slide into the starting role until Nola is able to return. Such a scenario would also mean that Luis Campusano would likely break camp as the team's second catcher.

Nola has had no issue catching baseballs since fracturing his left middle finger March 13, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Nola has yet to receive clearance to resume regular workouts, but he has been taking part in some catching drills and has reported no problems with his injured finger. The 31-year-old's big test will be swinging the bat; if he's able to do so without significant pain, Nola could feasibly be able to play by Opening Day.

McCann has gone 6-for-23 (.304) with a double and a 1:6 BB:K through eight Grapefruit League games.

Coming off a career-best .289/.360/.536 slash line in 2020, McCann is locked in as the Mets' starting catcher, but it's still reassuring that he's not struggling at the plate this spring. The 30-year-old will be looking to match or exceed the 18 homers and 60 RBI he racked up for the White Sox in 2019, and he could top the career-high 118 games he played that season, considering that his primary backup will be Tomas Nido, who owns a .553 OPS in the majors.

Contreras, who slotted in as the No. 2 hitter for Wednesday's Cactus League game against the Padres, could hit there regularly this season, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Wednesday's lineup could be a preview of Opening Day for the Cubs, with Ian Happ and Contreras in the top two slots, followed by Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant, Joc Pederson and Javier Baez. Rizzo hit in the No. 2 hole a team-high 38 times last season, but manager David Ross said he'll "definitely consider" moving Contreras up and having Rizzo and Bryant hit 3-4. Contreras should post strong numbers no matter where he slots into the lineup, but hitting second should give him more at-bats over the course of the season.

Maile recorded his first hit of spring, a home run, in Tuesday's exhibition game against the Dodgers.

Maile has not done much hitting this spring, but he has not had many opportunities to do so, only appearing in five games thus far. He will open the season in the minors, barring any unforeseen developments with the Brewers' catching situation.