MLB Player News

Grandal went 1-for-2 with a home run, three RBI, two runs, and a walk in Thursday's spring game against the Dodgers.

Grandal faced his former team for the first time and did some damage at the plate. He went just 1-for-9 in three February spring games, but has heated up this month, going 8-for-21 (.381) while also walking nine times. Grandal is set to be the Brewers' regular catcher from Opening Day onward, and he figures to occupy a spot in the middle third of the batting order.

Manager Mickey Callaway hinted Thursday that d'Arnaud could open the season on the injured list, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

D'Arnaud is working his way back from Tommy John surgery that the underwent last April. While he returned to Grapefruit League play last week, the Mets are apparently concerned that d'Arnaud might not have enough time to get the necessary amount of at-bats in before the start of the season. Factor in concerns regarding the backstop's throwing, and d'Arnaud could be ticketed for the IL to open the year. Should he open the season on the shelf, Devin Mesoraco would likely break camp as the team's backup catcher.

Barnes will start roughly 60 percent of games behind the plate this season, Pedro Moura of The Athletic reports.

Russell Martin will receive a fair share of starts, but Barnes will be the clear primary option. Both had poor seasons at the plate in 2018, but Barnes was very good the year prior, hitting .289/.408/.486 in 262 plate appearances. Even at age 36, Martin is still very good for a backup, so Barnes won't have a long leash if he falls into a prolonged slump.

Mesoraco exercised the upward mobility out in his contract Wednesday, Matt Ehalt of The Bergen Record reports.

Mesoraco, who is battling with Travis d'Arnaud for the backup catching job this spring, decided to seek out other possible opportunities with his roster spot far from guaranteed in New York. The veteran backstop will be made available to any team willing to add him to its 25-man roster. If no team wants Mesoraco, the Mets will retain control over him.

Stallings left Wednesday's game against the Twins with a stiff neck, Bill Brink of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Stalling's exit is being called precautionary, so it doesn't sound like he'll miss much time. The Pirates will hope he's able to return soon, as he'll be needed as temporary backup catcher with Elias Diaz not expected to be built up to speed by Opening Day due to a lengthy illness-related absence.

Diaz (illness) was cleared Wednesday to resume full baseball activities, Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic reports.

Diaz has been idle for nearly the entirety of camp with a viral infection, eliminating any chance he had of cracking the Opening Day roster. The 28-year-old looks like he's finally over the illness, but he'll still need to gradually regain strength and increase the intensity of his workouts over the next two weeks before he's cleared to resume game action. Expect him to open the season on the injured list and return around mid-to-late April, at which point he'll step in as the backup to No. 1 catcher Francisco Cervelli.

Barnes is slashing .294/.385/.559 with two home runs and 12 RBI through 34 at-bats in Cactus League play this spring.

Barnes has been locked in at the plate in spring training and looks primed for a hold onto the starting catcher role for the Dodgers to start the season. The presence of Russell Martin provides Barnes with some competition for starts, but the 29-year-old figures to get the lion's share of the work at the outset of the season given his current form at the dish and his defensive prowess. He'll look to bounce back from a rough 2018 that saw him post a .619 OPS over 200 at-bats.

Murphy has gone 6-for-26 at the plate with three home runs and six RBI during Cactus League play entering Tuesday.

Murphy possesses the most offensive upside of any of the three catchers on the 40-man roster, but the premium the Rockies place on defense at the position has prevented him from receiving much of an extended look at the big-league level. The Rockies' decision to re-sign their primary option behind the plate from 2018, Chris Iannetta, realistically leaves Murphy battling with Tony Wolters for the second catcher spot on the Opening Day roster. Wolters' skills as a defender -- particularly as a pitch framer -- are clearly valued by the Rockies, but the fact that he has a minor-league option remaining may help Murphy, who has no options left and would be exposed to waivers if he fails to make the roster.

Contreras (finger) is back in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Mariners, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports.

The catcher had been out since Thursday after taking a foul ball off his hand. The issue didn't appear to be a major one, and his preparation for Opening Day should be largely unaffected.

Realmuto went 3-for-3 with a two-run homer in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros.

The new Phillie has impressed so far this spring, hitting .429 with three homers in 28 at-bats. Already seen as one of the top offensive catchers in the game, Realmuto's stock only increased upon moving to a much better lineup in a much more hitter-friendly park this offseason, and he hasn't done anything yet to calm the hype.