MLB Player News

Stallings (neck) is listed as an available bench option for Saturday's split-squad Grapefruit League game against the Phillies, Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic reports.

Jason Delay is also on hand as another reserve backstop, but the fact that Stallings will dress for the exhibition suggests the stiff neck that he first experienced Wednesday is no longer much of a concern. With Elias Diaz (illness) slated to open the season on the injured list, Stallings is poised to break camp as the top backup to No. 1 catcher Francisco Cervelli.

Gosewisch was informed Friday that he'll open the season at Triple-A San Antonio, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

The news is no surprise, as Gosewisch is behind even third catcher Erik Kratz, who may not be able to make the team. Even if Kratz heads elsewhere, Gosewisch isn't guaranteed to be the next man up, as he doesn't have a 40-man roster spot.

Bart was reassigned to minor-league camp Friday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Bart left quite an impression during his first major-league spring training as he slashed .350/.381/.600 with two doubles and a home run in 20 at-bats. The 22-year-old spent the bulk of 2018 at Low-A Salem-Keizer and posted a .983 OPS, and is ticketed to begin the 2019 season at High-A San Jose.

Grandal went 1-for-2 with a home run, three RBI, two runs, and a walk in Thursday's spring game against the Dodgers.

Grandal faced his former team for the first time and did some damage at the plate. He went just 1-for-9 in three February spring games, but has heated up this month, going 8-for-21 (.381) while also walking nine times. Grandal is set to be the Brewers' regular catcher from Opening Day onward, and he figures to occupy a spot in the middle third of the batting order.

Manager Mickey Callaway hinted Thursday that d'Arnaud could open the season on the injured list, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

D'Arnaud is working his way back from Tommy John surgery that the underwent last April. While he returned to Grapefruit League play last week, the Mets are apparently concerned that d'Arnaud might not have enough time to get the necessary amount of at-bats in before the start of the season. Factor in concerns regarding the backstop's throwing, and d'Arnaud could be ticketed for the IL to open the year. Should he open the season on the shelf, Devin Mesoraco would likely break camp as the team's backup catcher.

Barnes will start roughly 60 percent of games behind the plate this season, Pedro Moura of The Athletic reports.

Russell Martin will receive a fair share of starts, but Barnes will be the clear primary option. Both had poor seasons at the plate in 2018, but Barnes was very good the year prior, hitting .289/.408/.486 in 262 plate appearances. Even at age 36, Martin is still very good for a backup, so Barnes won't have a long leash if he falls into a prolonged slump.

Mesoraco exercised the upward mobility out in his contract Wednesday, Matt Ehalt of The Bergen Record reports.

Mesoraco, who is battling with Travis d'Arnaud for the backup catching job this spring, decided to seek out other possible opportunities with his roster spot far from guaranteed in New York. The veteran backstop will be made available to any team willing to add him to its 25-man roster. If no team wants Mesoraco, the Mets will retain control over him.

Stallings left Wednesday's game against the Twins with a stiff neck, Bill Brink of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Stalling's exit is being called precautionary, so it doesn't sound like he'll miss much time. The Pirates will hope he's able to return soon, as he'll be needed as temporary backup catcher with Elias Diaz not expected to be built up to speed by Opening Day due to a lengthy illness-related absence.

Diaz (illness) was cleared Wednesday to resume full baseball activities, Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic reports.

Diaz has been idle for nearly the entirety of camp with a viral infection, eliminating any chance he had of cracking the Opening Day roster. The 28-year-old looks like he's finally over the illness, but he'll still need to gradually regain strength and increase the intensity of his workouts over the next two weeks before he's cleared to resume game action. Expect him to open the season on the injured list and return around mid-to-late April, at which point he'll step in as the backup to No. 1 catcher Francisco Cervelli.

Barnes is slashing .294/.385/.559 with two home runs and 12 RBI through 34 at-bats in Cactus League play this spring.

Barnes has been locked in at the plate in spring training and looks primed for a hold onto the starting catcher role for the Dodgers to start the season. The presence of Russell Martin provides Barnes with some competition for starts, but the 29-year-old figures to get the lion's share of the work at the outset of the season given his current form at the dish and his defensive prowess. He'll look to bounce back from a rough 2018 that saw him post a .619 OPS over 200 at-bats.