MLB Player News

Naylor was optioned to Triple-A Columbus by the Guardians on Friday, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

Naylor is likely the Guardians' catcher of the future, but they'd like him to get more reps in the minors. Mike Zunino will handle the bulk of the catching duties for Cleveland, with Bryan Lavastida, Cam Gallagher and Zack Collins battling for the backup spot.

Kirk (personal) could make his Grapefruit League debut as soon as Sunday or Monday, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.

Kirk didn't report to camp until the beginning of March after being away from the team while awaiting the birth of his child. He's getting back up to speed, though, and is nearly ready for games.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts hinted Wednesday that Smith will be the team's No. 3 hitter this season, Doug Padilla of the Orange County Register reports. "It's hard to go wrong with [Smith] in the three. A guy that can hit left, hit right, he can drive runs in, values the walk, so makes sense," Roberts said.

Smith most frequently batted out of the cleanup spot in 2022, but Los Angeles' lineup has a different look this season, and Roberts appears to favor moving him up a slot. The backstop should continue to see plenty of opportunities to produce with Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman likely hitting ahead of him, though Smith could play slightly fewer games with the DH slot -- where he started 24 times last year -- now expected to be occupied on a near-everyday basis by J.D. Martinez. Even if that's the case, Smith should have ample opportunity to put up numbers worthy of a top-three catcher in fantasy, which is where he's largely being drafted this spring.

Zavala has appeared in five Cactus League games to date, going 3-for-9 with a home run and a 3:4 BB:K.

Zavala closed the 2022 season on the injured list with a concussion, but he's back to full health for spring training and will be looking to lock down the No. 2 catcher role behind Yasmani Grandal. He may face some competition for those duties from 26-year-old prospect Carlos Perez, but because Perez has two minor-league options remaining, Zavala most likely has the inside track for the backup gig. Zavala helped his case by producing at an above-league-average level at the plate in his 205 plate appearances a season ago (.270/.347/.382 slash line, 111 wRC+), and he also graded out favorably as a defender.

Nola (illness) will start at catcher and bat third in Thursday's Cactus League game against the Guardians.

Nola will return to the spring lineup for the first time since Monday, after a bout with the flu left him unavailable for the past couple of days. The 33-year-old is once again projected to serve as the Padres' top backstop in 2023, though his standing atop the depth chart is more unsteady than it was heading into last season after he turned in a career-worst .650 OPS over 397 plate appearances in 2022.

Wong (hamstring) was cleared to resume hitting Wednesday, Mike Monaco of ESPN reports.

Wong is dealing with a Grade 1 left hamstring strain, but the backstop has been able to participate in agility drills and now is able to swing the bat as he looks to make his way back. The backstop has a chance to be ready for Opening Day, but that's far from a foregone conclusion at this point.

Barrera has made a strong impression in spring camp, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Cardinals manager Oli Marmol has made it clear that the job behind starting backstop Willson Contreras is "wide open," and Barrera has a strong chance to win that position. The backstop signed on with St. Louis as a non-roster invitee and has posted just a .631 OPS so far over 162 plate appearances at the major-league level. Andrew Knizner is also battling for the backup gig. This appears to be a competition that could go down to the final days of spring training.

Nola was scratched from the Padres' Cactus League lineup Tuesday due to flu-like symptoms.

Nola should be good to go after a day or two of rest and fluids. Pedro Severino will get the start at catcher in his place Tuesday afternoon against the Angels.

Cardinals manager Oli Marmol noted Tuesday that Knizner is not assured of the team's backup catcher role, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Knizner served as the primary understudy to Yadier Molina over the last two seasons, but he holds just a .204/.292/.288 career batting line in 553 plate appearances at the major-league level. Tres Barrera has impressed the Cardinals' coaches and pitchers this spring, per Denton, and might emerge as the No. 2 option behind Willson Contreras.

Huff (shoulder) caught two innings and drew a walk in his lone plate appearance in Monday's 4-1 loss to the Rockies in Cactus League play.

Huff returned to action for the first time since last Wednesday, when he sustained a right shoulder injury in a game against the Padres. The Rangers never expressed much concern about the condition of Huff's shoulder, and his ability to check back in behind the plate less than a week later suggests he'll be ready to go for the start of the regular season.