MLB Player News

Bart is 6-for-13 with one home run, three runs scored, two RBI, two walks and two stolen bases through seven spring training games.

It's the 24-year-old's third year in big-league camp with the Giants, and he's impressed at the plate each year. Bart made the jump to the majors last season and struggled with a .608 OPS and 36.9 percent strikeout rate, but he should be headed to Triple-A for 2021 to continue his progression. Buster Posey is back as the starter after opting out in 2020, and Curt Casali signed over the offseason to likely operate as the primary backup catcher.

Nido (foot) is expected to be ready to hit Sunday but isn't quite ready to catch, Justin Toscano of The Bergen Record reports.

Nido was scratched from Friday's lineup after fouling a ball off his foot the day before. X-rays were negative and he's already able to hit, so there's little reason to fear for his readiness for Opening Day.

Diaz went 2-for-3 with a three-run home run in Friday's spring loss to the Giants.

The Rockies' catchers only combined for two home runs last year, but Diaz and Dom Nunez have now homered in back-to-back spring games for Colorado. Diaz has appeared in six games to begin Cactus League play and has gone 7-for-14 with one home run, three doubles, four runs, four RBI, one walk and two strikeouts.

Nido was scratched from the lineup ahead of Friday's game against the Marlins due to a left foot contusion, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

The reason for Nido's removal wasn't initially clear, but it sounds like he isn't dealing with anything serious. He fouled a ball off his foot during batting practice Thursday, but X-rays were negative. The injury shouldn't meaningfully impact his preparation for Opening Day.

Nido was scratched from the lineup for Friday's game against Miami for undisclosed reasons, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

Nido is expected to back up James McCann behind the plate this season. It's not yet clear if he's dealing with something that could send him to the injured list to start the season. Non-roster invitee Caleb Joseph will start in his place Friday and could potentially earn a roster spot if Nido is indeed dealing with a long-term issue.

Ruiz will work as the Dodgers' reserve catcher Friday and Sunday, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports.

Ruiz was forced to arrive late to camp due to visa issues, but he's now prepared to appear in his first games this spring. He managed to make eight plate appearances with the big-league club in 2020, but Ruiz is likely to begin the season at the alternate site with Will Smith and Austin Barnes ahead of him on the depth chart.

Phillies manager Joe Girardi said Thursday that Realmuto (thumb) was cleared to resume full baseball activities, Matt Breen of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Girardi noted that Realmuto was able to make about 40 throws during a workout without incident, an encouraging sign for his chances of being ready to go when Opening Day arrives in three weeks. The veteran backstop is gradually expected to ramp up the intensity of his throwing program while also integrating more fielding and hitting drills into his workouts before potentially returning to game action at the tail end of the Phillies' exhibition slate.

Marchan's hamstring issue will keep him out until at least the last week of March, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

If healthy, Marchan could potentially be needed at the start of the season, as J.T. Realmuto hopes to be ready to go following his fractured thumb but still hasn't gotten into game action. Marchan is the only other backstop on the 40-man roster besides Andrew Knapp. Non-roster invitee Jeff Mathis could make the team if neither Realmuto nor Marchan are cleared to play, but the Phillies would certainly prefer not to have to open a 40-man roster spot just to add a backup catcher for a week or two.

Marchan hasn't appeared in a game since the end of February due to a hamstring issue, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Marchan jumped straight from High-A to the big leagues last season, appearing in three games. He's likely to open this year in the minors but could have been called upon to open the season as Andrew Knapp's backup if J.T. Realmuto (thumb) isn't ready to go by Opening Day. It's unclear whether or not Marchan's injury is serious enough to threaten his readiness for the start of the season, but if both Realmuto and Marchan aren't ready to go it will likely be non-roster invitee Jeff Mathis who earns the backup job.

Realmuto (thumb) still expects to be ready to play on Opening Day, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Realmuto's cast on his fractured thumb was removed Friday. He hasn't been able to hit and throw since he suffered the injury, which occurred when he tried to block a pitch in the dirt a few days before camp officially opened, but he's been able to take part in some simulated action. Whether or not his optimism is shared by the team remains to be seen, but it sounds as if any absence to start the year will likely be a brief one. If he does wind up heading to the injured list, Andrew Knapp would step into a temporary starting role.