MLB Player News

D'Arnaud went 2-for-4 with a double, a home run and three RBI in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Orioles.

The 29-year-old could be in line to lose playing time behind the plate to Kevin Plawecki under new manager Mickey Callaway, but d'Arnaud is certainly making a positive impression on his new bench boss this spring, going 10-for-31 with three doubles, two homers and a 6:5 BB:K. Perhaps most importantly, d'Arnaud has looked healthy so far in camp, and if he can avoid the lengthy DL stints and lingering injuries that have plagued his career to date, he could still have some upside left in his bat.

In his second full spring training working with Jon Lester, Contreras is drawing high marks from the veteran left-hander, Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Last spring, there was some uncertainty over who would catch Lester after the retirement of David Ross, who had served as the lefty's personal catcher. While Lester's ERA did jump from 2.44 in 2016 with primarily Ross behind the plate to 4.33 last year, Contreras was able to catch 12 of the 31 runners who tried to steal against Lester. Contreras also tied for the MLB lead with six catcher pickoffs. "As far as working with him and the way he goes about it, I love everything he does back there," Lester said. This bodes well for the young catcher's playing time outlook, as he won't be sitting every time Lester starts, though the team will no doubt still look to find regular rest opportunities for Contreras to keep him fresh.

Realmuto (back) is scheduled to play catch Monday and remains on track to be ready for Opening Day, Joe Frisaro of MLB.com reports.

The backstop is healing a little slower than anticipated after sustaining a lower-back contusion March 11, but the Marlins believe he'll be able to return to the Grapefruit League lineup soon and get in enough at-bats before spring training ends. If his throwing session Monday goes without a hitch, Realmuto could add more baseball activities to his ledger in the next few days before the Marlins clear him to catch in games.

Sanchez (hamstring) is listed as an available bench player for the Giants in Sunday's Cactus League game against the Rockies, Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Sanchez looks to be reasonably healthy after the hamstring injury had kept him out of Cactus League action since Feb. 28, but his remote chances of winning an Opening Day roster spot are likely dashed at this point. The Giants appear poised to enter the season with Buster Posey and Nick Hundley as their two backstops.

Caratini (knee) drove in a run and scored a run in Saturday's Cactus League game against the Indians.

Caratini was able to get back onto the field after briefly dealing with a sore left knee. The 24-year-old backstop is currently battling Chris Gimenez for Opening Day reserve catching duties. Caratini is hitting .241 (.405 OBP) with one home run and four RBI this spring.

Murphy (head) is starting at catcher and batting eighth in Sunday's Cactus League game against the Giants, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

Murphy is set to re-enter the lineup after being lifted from Thursday's contest after taking a shot to the head for an opposing batter. The issue was never deemed serious, so he'll head back to the field where he'll battle with Tony Wolters for reserve catching duties on the Opening Day roster.

Realmuto (back) isn't in the Marlins' lineup for Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Yankees, Andre Fernandez of the Miami Herald reports.

Realmuto has missed the past week of Grapefruit League action with a lower-back contusion, but the injury isn't believed to be anything that will put his status for Opening Day in jeopardy. The Marlins have already been easing Realmuto back into baseball activities since he suffered the injury March 11, so it appears likely that the 27-year-old will be back behind the plate within a few days.

Murphy (head) is expected to play in Sunday's Cactus League game, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

Murphy was removed from Thursday's spring training game after being hit in the helmet on a backswing, but the issue was never thought to be overly serious and he's set to return to action after taking a couple of days off to rest and recover. The soon-to-be 27-year-old is competing for a spot on the Rockies' Opening Day roster as a reserve catcher.

Bethancourt exited Saturday's Cactus League game against the Reds after being hit by a pitch on the left arm, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Bethancourt received a non-roster invite to Brewers spring training and has a .350 batting average and .950 OPS in 20 at-bats this spring. The 26-year-old is still unlikely to make the Brewers' Opening Day roster with Manny Pina, Stephen Vogt (shoulder) and Jett Bandy on the 40-man roster, but his injury status should be updated as he is further evaluated.

Murphy was removed from Thursday's spring training game as a precaution after being hit in the helmet on a backswing, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

Murphy took a shot to the head from an opposing batter during Thursday's game, so the Rockies opted to remove the backstop just to be safe. Manager Bud Black downplayed Murphy's removal and said that he should be OK moving forward.