MLB Player News

Stewart will take the field for the first time spring Tuesday when the Pirates face the Braves, Bill Brink of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Stewart's recovery from the knee surgery he underwent back in September looks to be nearing its end. Although he has apparently been fully healthy all spring, the team has been easing him slowly back into a full workload. Now that he's ready to get back on the field, the Pirates will be hoping the 34-year-old Stewart can provide solid defense and leadership from the catcher position.

Plawecki (knee) is expected to begin working out again Monday, The New York Daily News reports.

He was involved in a scary home-plate collision with the Nats' Rafael Bautista in the spring opener, but Plawecki seems to have avoided serious injury. The catcher should begin the season at Triple-A Las Vegas, but a hot start and more struggles by Travis d'Arnaud could put Plawecki back into the Mets' 2017 plans.

Nola is making the transition to catcher, The Miami Herald reports.

The Marlins had great success converting another middle infielder, J.T. Realmuto, into a catcher a few years ago, but Nola doesn't possess close to that kind of upside at the plate. Still, if he's able to add backstop to his defensive portfolio, he might be able to carve out a spot for himself in the majors down the road as a versatile bench player.

Mesoraco took his first live batting practice of spring training Friday and said he felt good, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

It's another small progression for Mesoraco, who is being eased back into action this spring after missing a majority of the past two seasons with injuries. The veteran catcher hopes to be playing in Cactus League games within the coming week, a major step towards his Opening Day availability. Mesoraco is the presumed everyday catcher for Cincinnati this season, but could be a risk in fantasy drafts.

Mesoraco is scheduled to take his first live batting practice of this spring training Friday and is aiming to enter live action over the next week, Zach Buchanan of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Cincinnati is bringing the backstop along slowly as he recovers from hip and shoulder issues. The Reds don't intent to push Mesoraco early on in the season but want him to seize the full-time job as the campaign wears on. Fantasy players in two-catcher mixed leagues could take a guarded chance late in drafts on his power coming through.

Barnhart is going to play often early in the 2017 season, but he's expected to return to backup duties if Devin Mesoraco proves he can handle a starter's workload, Zach Buchanan of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Barnhart is probably the safer selection to start the campaign, though a healthy, active Mesoraco has much more upside, especially with home runs. Of course, the latter holds plenty of risk. If fantasy players in two-catcher leagues can handcuff this situation, that could save a lot of headaches, though that plan doesn't always lead to a comfortable roster.

Mesoraco is viewed by Reds manager Bryan Price as the eventual everyday catcher, Zach Buchanan of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Mesoraco obviously has some hurdles to clear to prove he can handle a busy workload, considering his recent health woes. Tucker Barnhart will push for at least a split share of the backstop work. Mesoraco, however, holds plenty of upside -- especially with home runs -- if he can play at least half a season. Barnhart may be the safer fantasy pick, merely because there are fewer concerns over his durability.

D'Arnaud went 1-for-3 with a solo home run off Marlins closer A.J. Ramos in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game.

His offseason work to simplify and improve his swing has paid quick dividends to begin the spring, and d'Arnaud is now hitting .500 (4-for-8) through the Mets' first few Grapefruit League games. He remains little more than a lottery ticket in shallower fantasy formats, but the 28-year-old catcher still has time to get his career back on track if he can just stay off the DL.

Sanchez (foot) entered Monday's game off the bench and went 0-for-2 in a spring training loss to the Angels.

Sanchez fouled a ball off his foot a couple of days ago, but it wasn't considered serious and he needed just a couple of days to heal. He is currently on the Padres as a non-roster invitee, and he has a good shot at winning the backup catcher spot if he can produce at the plate this spring.

Contreras hit his first spring training home run in Monday's 4-4 tie against the White Sox.

Contreras went deep in the fourth inning off of Anthony Swarzak. The 24-year-old only recorded 252 at-bats in 76 games with the Cubs last season, but he still managed to hit 12 home runs. While it remains to be seen how Contreras adjusts to being a full-season MLB catcher, the potential is certainly there for 20 or more home runs, which makes him a great option at a thin position.