MLB Player News

The Rockies hope to rest Diaz more in 2024 after acquiring Jacob Stallings in the offseason, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Diaz earned a career-high 526 plate appearances and suited up in 141 games in 2023, primarily because the Rockies lacked a reliable second catcher. The addition of Stallings gives the team a solid defensive backstop, and Diaz is likely to see less volume as a result. Given his mediocre .725 OPS and .142 ISO from a year ago, his fantasy value is likely to take at least a moderate hit.

Amaya is just 2-for-11 through four Cactus League games with no home runs or RBI.

It's very early and Amaya should have a roster spot secured even if he continues to struggle in exhibition play. The youngster made his MLB debut last season and showed signs of promise, but he also only batted .214 and struck out nearly 26 percent of the time, so there is definitely room for growth. The veteran Yan Gomes is on hand to provide a steady presence behind the plate, though the Cubs likely want to see Amaya take the job and run with it sooner versus later.

Murphy has gone 2-for-7 with a double and three strikeouts over his first three Cactus League games.

Murphy was signed in the offseason to back up Patrick Bailey at catcher. Murphy has played no more than 97 games in a season in his major-league career. He's often hit well in a backup role, but Joey Bart (3-for-9) and Blake Sabol (1-for-8) are also options to fill that spot to begin 2024. More clarity should be available once the Giants trim down their spring roster, though it appears Murphy's experience is favored to win out over Bart, who could be waived or traded if he doesn't earn a roster spot.

Salas was re-assigned to minor-league camp by the Padres on Sunday, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Just being invited to big-league camp as a 17-year-old was an accomplishment in and of itself for Salas, who went 2-for-7 at the plate during his limited Cactus League opportunities. He's slated to begin the season at Double-A San Antonio after finishing there in 2023. The top prospect slashed .248/.331/.421 with nine home runs over 66 games across three levels last season.

Moreno went 2-for-3 with a double, a home run and two RBI in Sunday's spring game against the Brewers.

After going 1-for-7 over his first three Cactus League games, Moreno made an impact with his bat the fourth time out. He also threw out a runner attempting to steal. Moreno is on track to open the season as Arizona's primary catcher.

Cartaya (back) was optioned to Double-A Tulsa on Sunday.

Cartaya didn't appear in any contests in the Cactus League due to a back injury, and he'll now shift his focus to being ready for the MiLB season. The catcher had a disappointing 2023 campaign, recording a .189/.278/.377 slash line with 19 homers over 355 at-bats in 93 games with Tulsa, and he'll likely have to play better to earn an opportunity to be called up to the major-league roster down the road.

Feduccia was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Sunday.

Feduccia has been unimpressive at the plate this spring, going 1-for-11 with a double, three walks, an RBI and two runs scored while striking out five times over eight contests. The catcher will look to produce a little more consistently at Triple-A in order to earn another shot with the major-league roster.

Herrera isn't starting Sunday's spring game against the Marlins as scheduled due to shoulder pain, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

The 23-year-old has just 24 big-league games under his belt but is poised to share catching duties with Willson Contreras in 2024. It's unclear at this point if the injury is expected to affect Herrera's availability for Opening Day.

Cartaya has not participated in spring training games due to back soreness, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that the team expects Cartaya to be ready for the start of the MiLB season. The prospect catcher is coming off a disappointing 2023 season with Double-A Tulsa in which he slashed .189/.278/.377 with 19 home runs and 57 RBI over 403 plate appearances.

Sanchez (hand) could make his Cactus League debut March 14 against the Mariners, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

It's not clear whether the plan is to have him catch or serve as a designated hitter initially, but it will give Sanchez just under two weeks' worth of games to get ready for Opening Day. The 31-year-old has been eased into things this spring after injuring his hand in an offseason workout. Sanchez is projected to serve as Milwaukee's DH and backup catcher.