MLB Player News

The Phillies optioned Stubbs to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Thursday, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

This transaction locks in Rafael Marchan as the backup catcher behind J.T. Realmuto in Philadelphia to begin the 2025 regular season. Stubbs had a respectable spring with an .804 OPS in 10 games, and he has developed a reputation as a well-liked clubhouse presence, but he is a career .215/.294/.311 hitter in the major leagues.

The Cardinals released Sisco on Wednesday.

Sisco was reassigned to minor-league camp Sunday, but he'll now attempt to latch on with a new organization rather than begin the year in the Cardinals' farm system. The 30-year-old backstop appeared in only seven minor-league games last year and hasn't played in the majors since 2021, so he'll almost certainly have to settle for another minor-league deal in free agency.

Contreras is 11-for-29 (.379) with two home runs, seven RBI, two stolen bases and a 5:4 BB:K through 12 exhibition games.

The National League's reigning Silver Slugger at catcher has posted a 1.092 OPS this spring, and the stolen bases should not come as a surprise considering he tallied nine of them over 155 regular-season appearances in 2024. Contreras will again be the primary catcher for the Brewers and will occupy a prime run-producing spot in the batting order.

The Rays optioned Driscoll (ankle) to Triple-A Durham on Wednesday.

Driscoll reached the majors for the first time in September and was given the chance for a spot on the Opening Day roster, but he didn't make much of a case this spring. He played in just two Grapefruit League games before going down with a right ankle injury that has kept him out of action since Feb. 25. If he's able to move past the injury within the next week, Driscoll should be in store for regular at-bats at Durham, while the Rays proceed with Danny Jansen and Ben Rortvedt as their catching tandem at the big-league level.

The Brewers reassigned Alfaro to minor-league camp Wednesday.

After sitting out the 2024 season upon being cut loose by the Cubs last spring, Alfaro signed a minor-league deal with Milwaukee in January. He impressed at the dish this spring with an .887 OPS over 11 games in Cactus League play, but with William Contreras and Eric Haase ahead of him on the organizational depth chart at catcher, Alfaro didn't have much of a chance at breaking camp with the big club. He'll presumably open the season at Triple-A Nashville, where he'll likely share catching duties with prospect Jeferson Quero (shoulder).

Hicks is expected to begin the season as the Marlins' backup catcher behind Nick Fortes, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

That's no real surprise, especially after top prospect Agustin Ramirez was optioned to Triple-A Jacksonville on Sunday. Hicks, a Rule 5 pick from the Tigers' system, has shown some good plate discipline with a 5:5 BB:K in 11 Grapefruit League appearances this spring, but he's batting just .227 (5-for-22) with a double as his only extra-base hit. The Marlins remain in a seemingly never-ending rebuild, so Hicks will likely get as much playing time as he shows he can handle until Ramirez pushes his way onto the big-league roster.

Smith went 1-for-2 with an RBI and three walks in Tuesday's 4-1 win over the Cubs in Tokyo, Japan.

Smith batted cleanup in the Dodgers' season opener due to both Mookie Betts (illness) and Freddie Freeman (rib) sitting out. The backstop came through with a single to score a run in the fifth frame and walked in three of his other four plate appearances. Smith has consistently demonstrated a good eye at the plate during his career, as he's registered a walk rate over nine percent and a strikeout rate below 20 percent each of the past three campaigns.

Amaya went 1-for-3 with a double and an RBI in Tuesday's 4-1 defeat to the Dodgers in Tokyo.

The Cubs could muster only three hits against Yoshinobu Yamamoto and four relievers, and Amaya provided all the offense on a second-inning double. The catcher managed to carry over a strong spring performance into his 2025 debut, and while veteran Carson Kelly will see some playing time, Amaya could seize a larger role behind the plate if he gets off to a hot start.

The Pirates optioned Delay to Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday.

Delay was unable to win a place on the Opening Day roster after going 2-for-17 with eight strikeouts in 12 spring games. Joey Bart is poised to begin the season as Pittsburgh's No. 1 backstop, with Henry Davis and Endy Rodriguez competing for the backup job.

Salazar was optioned to Triple-A Sugar Land on Tuesday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Yainer Diaz and Victor Caratini are locked in as Houston's top catchers, so it's no surprise Salazar will be opening the campaign at Triple-A. The 29-year-old had a .787 OPS in 12 regular-season games with the Astros last season and had a near-identical .788 mark in 78 contests for Sugar Land.