MLB Player News

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said Monday that he's planning to start Herrera at catcher and bat him sixth Opening Day versus the Twins, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

The lineup the Cardinals are using in Monday's exhibition tilt against Triple-A Memphis -- one that features Herrera behind the plate -- is the same one Marmol is eyeing for the opener. Herrera has been in a competition with Pedro Pages for the St. Louis catcher job, and it appears Herrera will get the first crack at it. What the ultimate breakdown in playing time between the two catchers will be over the duration of the season isn't clear.

The Mariners optioned Hunt to Triple-A Tacoma on Sunday.

The Mariners are set at catcher between Cal Raleigh and Mitch Garver, so Hunt will begin the season with Tacoma even though he went 10-for-20 with two homers this spring. The 26-year-old has not appeared in a game at the big-league level.

The Yankees re-signed Jackson to a minor-league contract Sunday.

Jackson opted out of his minor-league deal with the Yankees after being told he was not going to make the Opening Day roster, but he was quickly re-signed to a new minor-league pact. He will provide catching depth at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

The White Sox released Narvaez on Monday, James Fegan of SoxMachine.com reports.

Chicago cut Narvaez loose after settling on Korey Lee and Matt Thaiss as its two catchers heading into Opening Day. Fegan relays that Narvaez could re-sign with the White Sox on a new minor-league deal, though with two high-end catching prospects in Kyle Teel and Edgar Quero set to open the season at Triple-A, it's unclear if the organization would even have regular playing time available for him in the minors.

The White Sox informed Thaiss on Monday that he'll be included on the Opening Day roster, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Thaiss will likely open the season as the No. 2 catcher behind incumbent Korey Lee after posting an .892 OPS across 12 Cactus League games. Thaiss and Lee may not be ticketed for season-long stays on the active roster, however, as catching prospects Kyle Teel and Edgar Quero will open the campaign at Triple-A Charlotte but should be ready to make their MLB debuts at some point later in 2025.

The White Sox informed Narvaez on Monday that he won't be included on the Opening Day roster, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Chicago will begin the season with Korey Lee and Matt Thaiss as its two catchers. Narvaez, who had been attending camp as a non-roster invitee, will likely report to Triple-A Charlotte if the White Sox don't choose to release him. Narvaez is coming off a rough 2024 season in which he slashed just .154/.191/.185 over 69 plate appearances with the Mets before he was cut loose in June.

Quero (shoulder) will start at designated hitter and bat second in a minor-league game with Double-A Biloxi on Monday.

After he underwent right shoulder surgery last April that limited him to just one game in 2024, Quero was eased into spring training. Quero didn't make any Cactus League appearances before the Brewers optioned him to Triple-A Nashville on March 10, but his ability to serve as a DH on Monday suggests that he'll be ready to go for the start of the minor-league season. It's unclear if Quero will be limited to DH-only duties initially, or if he'll be ready to make starts behind the plate.

The Padres optioned Campusano to Triple-A El Paso on Sunday.

Elias Diaz will be the Padres' primary catcher, and non-roster invitee Martin Maldonado is in line to serve as his backup. Campusano will head to El Paso, where he will receive regular playing time as he awaits another opportunity in the majors.

The Rays reassigned Barrera to minor-league camp Sunday.

Barrera was attending camp as a non-roster invitee, but he never stood much of a chance to win an Opening Day roster spot so long as both Danny Jansen (ribs) and Ben Rortvedt were ready to go for the start of the season. The 30-year-old will likely head to Triple-A Durham and provide depth behind the plate.

Basallo has elbow inflammation and is expected to serve as a designated hitter for the first few weeks of Triple-A Norfolk's season, Jacob Calvin Meyer of The Baltimore Sun reports.

It appears the 20-year-old will be able to hit in spite of the injury, but he won't be working behind the plate at the start of the campaign. Basallo is the organization's top prospect and could push to make his MLB debut in 2025, assuming the elbow issue doesn't prove to be a significant concern.