MLB Player News

Knizner was reassigned to minor-league camp Monday.

Knizner entered spring training with a chance to compete for backup duties to Yadier Molina, but those odds took a hit when the Cardinals signed Matt Wieters in late February. The 24-year-old had a .313/.368/.430 slash line between Double-A and Triple-A in 2018.

Diaz (illness) will open the 2019 campaign on the injured list, DK Pittsburgh Sports reports.

He missed the entire Grapefruit League due to a viral infection. Pittsburgh is confident in backup Jacob Stallings, but Diaz represents an appreciable offensive upgrade over Stallings. Diaz has been working out and taking part in simulated games, but he likely won't return until the middle of April, at the earliest.

Perez started behind the plate and played four innings in the Indians' exhibition finale Tuesday against the Rangers, finishing 1-for-2 with a base hit and a strikeout.

Injuries to Jose Ramirez (knee), Francisco Lindor (calf) and Jason Kipnis (calf) leave the Tribe lineup in flux heading into Thursday's season opener in Minnesota, but Perez looks on track to be included in the starting nine and hit somewhere in the bottom half of the order. Perez wrapped up the spring with a .279 average and two home runs in 43 plate appearances, but his career .205/.298/.340 regular-season slash line is a better representation of what to expect from the backstop in 2019. He'll earn starts on the strength of his defense, with the Indians viewing anything he provides as a hitter as a bonus.

D'Arnaud (elbow) will be placed on the injured list at the start of the season, Matt Ehalt of The Bergen Record reports.

D'Arnaud is still recovering from Tommy John surgery, but he was able to play in some spring games, so his absence may not be a long one. Tomas Nido will back up Wilson Ramos in d'Arnaud's absence.

Rupp accepted an assignment to Triple-A Toledo on Tuesday.

Rupp was the odd man out in the Tigers' catcher contest, falling third behind Grayson Greiner and John Hicks. He'll head to the minors and wait for an injury to open up playing time.

Mejia will be included on the Padres' Opening Day roster, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Mejia earned himself a spot on the team's Opening Day roster thanks to an impressive showing in spring; across 18 Cactus League games, the backstop slashed .348/.375/.630 with three homers and 14 RBI. He figures to open the season as the backup behind the dish to Austin Hedges, though the 23-year-old could force his way into the lineup more regularly if he carries his success from spring into the regular season.

Leon was outrighted to Triple-A Pawtucket on Tuesday, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Leon, who passed through waivers without being claimed Tuesday, has 48 hours to accept his assignment to Triple-A or elect free agency. Should he choose to stick in the Red Sox's organization and report to the PawSox, it would allow the backstop to retain his $2.475 million salary for 2019.

Leon passed through waivers without being claimed Tuesday, Evan Drellich of WEEI Boston reports.

Leon has a good reputation as a pitch framer, but no team felt like creating a roster spot for a player who hit .177/.232/.279 last season. By all accounts Leon is expected to head to Triple-A Pawtucket and wait for an injury to open up an opportunity to return to the big leagues.

Barnhart went 1-for-3 in the Reds' loss to the Braves on Monday and will finish spring training hitting .135/.256/.243, as he's not in the lineup Tuesday.

Barnhart is frequently drafted as a "can't hurt you" second catcher in two-catcher leagues. He did draw six walks in his 43 plate appearances, but had just five hits all spring. He struck out 12 times, good for a 28 percent strikeout percentage, well above his career norms. All of this comes with the obvious caution that it's a small sample, and a spring training one at that.

Mesoraco will be placed on the restricted list after declining a minor-league assignment, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.

As expected, Mesoraco will shift to the restricted list after failing to make the Opening Day roster and refusing a minor-league assignment. He'll likely elect to retire following this latest development.