MLB Player News

Alvarez went 1-for-2 with a two-run home run in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Nationals.

The young catcher took Richard Bleier deep in the fifth inning for his second homer of the spring. Alvarez slugged 25 long balls in 2023 but hit only .209 with a 26.0 percent strikeout rate and an 8.0 percent walk rate, so improving his control over the strike zone will be key to him taking a step forward as a hitter. So far in camp he's done just that, going 3-for-12 over six games with a 4:2 BB:K.

Murphy (illness) is starting behind the plate and batting third in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Pirates.

The 29-year-old hasn't seen game action in a week due to a stomach bug, but he'll return to the field for Friday's exhibition. Murphy had a career-high 21 homers with an .843 OPS in 108 games last season, though Travis d'Arnaud should continue to see plenty of reps as Atlanta's secondary catcher in 2024.

Sanchez (hand) took six at-bats on the back fields Wednesday and could make his Cactus League debut before his initial March 14 estimate, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Working his way back from a right hand injury, Sanchez had a home run, a double and a single in those six at-bats and felt good, with Brewers manager Pat Murphy saying the catcher could play "very soon." The 31-year-old will back up William Contreras at catcher and is also expected to receive ample playing time at designated hitter for Milwaukee this season.

Murphy is slated to return to Atlanta's Grapefruit League lineup Friday against the Pirates after being sidelined by a stomach bug, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Murphy hasn't played in a week, and the illness provides an explanation behind his absence. Thankfully, he looks to be past the illness by this point, so he should be cleared to catch Friday, barring any setbacks leading up to the start of the game. Murphy -- who is 2-for-6 with two RBI this spring -- will be atop Atlanta's catching depth chart again in 2024, though Travis d'Arnaud should see plenty of reps as the No. 2 option.

Barnes (back) will start at catcher and bat eighth Wednesday in the Dodgers' Cactus League game against the White Sox.

Barnes was scratched from Tuesday's lineup because of a back issue, but he's back behind the plate a day later. The 34-year-old is again slated to be Will Smith's understudy at catcher this season for the Dodgers.

Sabol pulled his groin adductor during the Giants' spring training game against Milwaukee on Tuesday, Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic reports.

Sabol sustained the injury while attempting to beat out an infield single. He will use the Giants' day off Wednesday to receive an MRI, which should offer more clarity on the severity of his injury and how long he may be out for.

Barnes was scratched from the Dodgers' lineup ahead of their Cactus League game against the Angels on Tuesday due to back tightness, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Manager Dave Roberts didn't specify how severe Barnes' injury is, but it is apparently enough to prevent the 34-year-old backstop from playing Tuesday. Chris Okey will start behind the dish instead while Barnes recovers.

Herrera (shoulder) is starting at catcher and batting seventh for the Cardinals on Tuesday against the Twins in his return to Grapefruit League action, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Herrera missed a few days with a "stinger" in his left (non-throwing) shoulder but is ready to roll now. He will open the season as Willson Contreras' backup at catcher.

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.