MLB Player News

D'Arnaud signed a two-year, $16 million deal with the Braves on Sunday.

The 29-year-old had a tumultuous start to 2019 and went 2-for-23 in 10 games before being released by the Mets in May, but he eventually ended up with the Rays and put together a quality season. D'Arnaud should serve as Atlanta's primary catcher in 2020, but Tyler Flowers remains a solid No. 2 option behind the plate and should still see semi-regular starts. D'Arnaud had a .263/.323/.459 slash line with 16 home runs and 67 RBI in 92 games with the Rays last season.

Amaya was added to the 40-man roster by the Cubs on Wednesday.

The 20-year-old signed as a glove-first catcher in 2015 but has performed well enough to warrant protection from the Rule 5 draft. Amaya spent 2019 at High-A Myrtle Beach and had a .235/.351/.402 slash line with 11 home runs and 24 doubles in 99 games.

Stephenson was added to the Reds' 40-man roster Wednesday.

This move was a lock on the final day to protect prospects from the Rule 5 draft. Stephenson is clearly the catcher of the future in Cincinnati, but he will need to head to Triple-A for at least a month or two before making his big-league debut. He hit .285/.372/.410 with a 10.2 percent walk rate, 16.5 percent strikeout rate and six home runs in 89 games at Double-A and made up for lost time with 13 games in the Arizona Fall League. Stephenson has big raw power and is patient at the dish, which will hopefully make up for the fact that he isn't the greatest defensive catcher.

Contreras' contract was selected by the Braves on Tuesday.

Although the 21-year-old was effective in the minors last season, his addition to the 40-man roster is more so to protect him from the Rule 5 draft rather than an indication of his readiness to contribute. In 110 games between the High-A and Double-A levels last season, Contreras hit .255/.315/.354 with six home runs and 39 RBI.

Wallach (concussion) was reinstated from the 60-day inured list Friday, Joe Frisaro of MLB.com reports.

Players can't spend the offseason on the injured list, so the move indicates nothing about Wallach's health. A concussion the catcher suffered in late May lingered for the rest of the season, and he played in just four rehab games the rest of the season, with just one of those coming after the All-Star break.

Gomes is in the starting lineup for Game 7 of the World Series against the Astros on Wednesday.

Kurt Suzuki (hip) was initially listed as the starter for Wednesday's game, but he was scratched and Gomes will take his place, batting eighth. While Suzuki has been sidelined since Game 3 of the World Series with a left hip flexor issue, Gomes has gone 3-for-12 with a double and two strikeouts.

Heineman was outrighted to Triple-A New Orleans on Wednesday, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

The 28-year-old appeared in just five games after being promoted to the majors, recording a .909 OPS with one home run. Heineman amassed a .336/.400/.590 slash line with 13 home runs and 38 RBI in 73 games at the Triple-A level last season.

Bart will be out 4-to-6 weeks with a non-displaced fracture of his right thumb but won't require surgery.

Bart was hit by a pitch Tuesday while playing in the Arizona Fall League, and he'll obviously be sidelined for the remainder of that season. Overall it's relatively good news, as the 22-year-old shouldn't have any issues being ready for spring training in February.

Bart suffered a fractured right thumb Tuesday while playing in the Arizona Fall League, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

The fractured thumb will cause Bart to miss the rest of the AZL season. The 22-year-old had hit three home runs with six RBI over nine games played in the Arizona Fall League.

Smith is out of the lineup Sunday for Game 3 of the NLDS between the Dodgers and the Nationals, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Smith will take a seat Sunday in a tilt against the Nationals as Russell Martin will get the nod behind the plate in favor of the rookie. Through the first two games, Smith has gone 1-for-7 with three strikeouts and a walk. The righty showed flashes of solid power during the regular season but also had a tendency to strike out in bunches. After Smith struggled in his first two career playoff games, the Dodgers will turn to the veteran in Martin in a decisive Game 3. After all, Martin and starter Hyun-Jin Ryu have combined for a 1.52 ERA in 20 starts this season.