MLB Player News

Pineda (finger) won't break camp with the Nationals and will instead remain at the organization's extended spring training in Florida to begin the season, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Since the Nationals are likely keen on giving the 22-year-old backstop regular playing time, Pineda never seemed to be a good bet to be included on the Opening Day roster while Keibert Ruiz is installed as the big club's clear No. 1 catcher. The displaced right pinkie finger that Pineda suffered in early March essentially ended any small hope he might have had of joining the Nationals for Opening Day, so it's no surprise that he'll continue to conduct his rehab in Florida before likely reporting to Triple-A Rochester. Washington has yet to announce whether Pineda will be formally optioned to Triple-A or placed on the big club's 10-day injured list.

Padres manager Bob Melvin said Nola (hand/nose) is slated to play in Monday's Cactus League finale versus the Rockies, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Nola had been expected to play Sunday versus the Mariners, but the Padres decided to err on the side of caution and hold him out for the day after he took a foul ball off his left (non-catching) hand while playing in a minor-league contest Saturday. The backstop had already been recovering from a fractured nose stemming from being hit in the face by a pitch March 19, but neither injury looks as though it'll prevent him from being ready to go for Opening Day. Provided Nola plays Monday as expected, he should head into the regular season as the Friars' top option behind the dish.

Moreno (hand) is starting behind the plate and batting eighth in Sunday's spring game against the Brewers.

The 23-year-old has been dealing with a minor hand injury since he was hit by a pitch March 18, but he'll return to the lineup Sunday with spring training in its final stages. Moreno is poised to open the season as Arizona's primary backstop with Carson Kelly sidelined by a fractured forearm. Jose Herrera currently tracks to fill the backup job, though the club may look to add a more veteran option.

Nola (hand/nose) isn't starting Sunday's spring game against the Mariners as previously reported, Bob Scanlan of Bally Sports San Diego reports.

The 33-year-old exited a minor-league contest Saturday after taking a foul tip off his non-catching hand, and he's not in the lineup Sunday despite an earlier report indicating otherwise. Nola also suffered a fractured nose when he was hit in the face by a pitch March 19. According to AJ Cassavell of MLB.com, the veteran backstop is scheduled to hit in the cage Sunday and rejoin the lineup for Monday's Cactus League finale, so his outlook for Opening Day doesn't appear to be in question.

Gomes went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run in Saturday's Cactus League game against the Angels.

Gomes continued his strong spring, as he now has a 1.020 OPS and four home runs across 37 at-bats. The veteran catcher figures to split starts with Tucker Barnhart, but with Gomes looking much better offensively in Cactus League play, he could see a slightly larger share of the playing time.

Nola (hand/nose) is back in the lineup for Sunday's Cactus League game against the Mariners, Bob Scanlan of Bally Sports San Diego reports.

Nola took a foul ball off his hand in a minor-league contest Saturday, and he also suffered a fractured nose after being hit in the face by a pitch March 19. The backstop is feeling well enough to play in an exhibition contest, however, and it appears there's a good chance Nola will be ready to roll for the beginning of the regular season.

Stubbs (knee) will serve as the Phillies' designated hitter and leadoff man in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Orioles.

Stubbs (knee) will make his first appearance in the spring lineup since March 4, after he was briefly shut down when a right knee injury cropped up earlier this month while he was working out with Team Israel for the World Baseball Classic. The 29-year-old will look to make up for the lost at-bats by likely playing most of Sunday's game at DH, but the Phillies will presumably want to have him play behind the plate at least once before the end of spring training to feel confident in his ability to handle the No. 2 catcher role behind J.T. Realmuto.

Nola (nose) left a minor-league contest Saturday after taking a foul tip to his non-catching hand, Bob Scanlan of Bally Sports San Diego reports.

It hasn't been the most enjoyable spring for Nola, who suffered a fractured nose after getting hit in the face by a pitch March 19. He returned to the field Saturday to catch for Yu Darvish in a minor-league contest, but the backstop was forced to depart after taking a foul tip to his left hand. Nola was already uncertain for Opening Day due to the nose injury, and it's uncertain whether the hand issue will further complicate his ability to be ready for Thursday's opener.

Perez will be a part of San Francisco's Opening Day roster, Evan Webeck of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Perez was signed to a minor league-deal with an invite to MLB spring training, and the Giants will have to purchase his contract in the coming days. He could see a good deal of playing time in 2023, but he likely will open the year as the backup backstop to Joey Bart.

Murphy went 2-for-3 with a walk, a double and an RBI in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Red Sox.

The catcher hasn't gone yard yet this spring -- in fact, Friday's double was his second extra-base hit -- but Murphy should supply plenty of pop once the games start to count. The 28-year-old set new career highs with 18 home runs, 37 doubles and 66 RBI in 2022 with Oakland, and his home ballpark and lineup support both got major upgrades over the winter. Even if his workload gets scaled back as expected from last year's 611 plate appearances, Murphy might still improve on his fantasy numbers.