MLB Player News

Murphy went 1-for-3 with a walk in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Red Sox.

The 28-year-old hasn't made much of an impact at the plate this spring, going 4-for-17 in seven games with only one extra-base hit, a double, but Murphy is locked into the starting role at catcher for Atlanta. He slugged a career-high 18 home runs and 66 RBI in 148 games last season for the A's, and while he may not see quite that workload in 2023 with a capable backup in Travis d'Arnaud behind him, the better lineup context could still lead Murphy to top last year's production.

Bart has gone 5-for-16 (.308) with three extra-base hits, two RBI and two runs scored over seven Cactus League games.

Blake Sabol has earned a lot of attention for his strong hitting and Roberto Perez has been praised for his defensive play behind the plate, so there's still no guarantee Bart breaks camp with the Giants. Since Sabol also has experience in the outfield and is a Rule 5 pick, it's possible the Giants could carry three catchers if Bart makes the team. For his part, Bart has hit well when in the lineup this spring, so it's up to him to finish the exhibition slate strong and force a difficult decision.

Adams is set to begin the season as the Nationals' backup catcher behind Keibert Ruiz, Jessica Camerato of MLB.com reports.

The 24-year-old Ruiz is a switch hitter and is expected to handle a big workload, so Adams could be limited to only one or two starts a week. He's had an erratic spring at the plate, going 4-for-20 with three extra-base hits (two homers and a double) but a 0:11 BB:K, and he likely offers little but occasional power as a bargain DFS play or end-game option in deep two-catcher formats from a fantasy perspective.

Herrera was optioned to Triple-A Memphis by the Cardinals on Thursday.

The backup catcher role behind Willson Contreras will likely come down to Andrew Knizner and Tres Barrera. Herrera, 22, went 2-for-18 (.111) in his first taste of MLB action last year.

Manager Skip Schumaker said Wednesday that Fortes will begin the season splitting catching duties with Jacob Stallings, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

It's not entirely clear how the workload will be divided, however. Stallings has the better defensive reputation -- something he bolstered in 2022 when he was behind the plate for every one of Sandy Alcantara's starts as the right-hander won the NL Cy Young Award -- but Fortes offers more upside at the plate, posting a .696 OPS to Stallings' .584 last season, Fortes has had a decent camp so far, and while he's still looking for his first extra-base hit of the spring, he's gone 4-for-16 with five walks against only one strikeout.

Manager Skip Schumaker said Wednesday that Stallings will begin the season in a timeshare at catcher with Nick Fortes, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Stallings' skills behind the plate remain stellar, and the 33-year-old caught every one of Sandy Alcantara's starts in 2022 as the right-hander put together a Cy Young campaign. His .584 OPS was a disappointment, however, and Stallings will need to rebound if he's going to have much fantasy appeal. He's gone just 1-for-15 at the plate this spring but has yet to strike out while drawing three walks, suggesting he's been the victim of some bad luck rather than struggling with his timing.

Nido went 1-for-2 with a solo home run in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals.

Getting the start behind the plate and hitting sixth, Nido took Drew VerHagen deep in the fifth inning. It's the backstop's third homer this spring, and he's gone 10-for-26 (.385) in Grapefruit League action while adding a couple doubles as well. The 28-year-old will split time behind the plate with Omar Narvaez this season, likely filling the short side of a platoon, but Nido's career .220/.257/.323 slash line in 744 plate appearances doesn't suggest an offensive breakout is imminent.

Stubbs (knee) said Thursday that he expects to be ready for Opening Day, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Stubbs had to bow out of a stint with Team Israel in the World Baseball Classic with what has since been diagnosed as a mild right knee sprain. He has exactly two weeks to get healthy in preparation for filling the backup catcher role behind J.T. Realmuto in Philly.

The Giants reassigned Bailey to minor-league camp Wednesday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

The decision to send down the 23-year-old backstop hardly comes as a surprise, as Bailey has yet to advance past High-A ball. Bailey slashed .225/.342/.419 through 325 plate appearances with High-A Eugene last season and could kick off the 2023 campaign there as well, but there's also a solid chance he gets bumped up to Double-A Richmond for Opening Day.

Marchan is nursing a bruised right hamate bone in Phillies camp, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

That explains why Marchan hasn't played in a Grapefruit League game since last Tuesday. He can't hit right now, per Gelb, and it's unclear whether this issue might linger into the regular season. Garrett Stubbs (knee) is also currently sidelined, so the Phillies are down their No. 2 and No. 3 catchers with Opening Day fast approaching.