MLB Player News

Contreras went 2-for-2 with an RBI and two walks in Friday's exhibition contest.

Contreras owns just a .542 OPS through 23 PA this spring, but he did record two multi-hit efforts over his last four appearances. Contreras posted a .670 OPS last spring and still wound up an All-Star, so his slow start should not be any reason for concern.

Barnhart, who went 0-for-2 with a strikeout in Friday's Cactus League game against the White Sox, is now batting just .071 this spring.

Barnhart has one hit in 14 Cactus League at-bats and has struck out three times. The catcher only batted .221 over 94 games with the Tigers last season, so the Cubs weren't expecting a ton of offense from the offseason addition, though a slight uptick in production would be welcome. Barnhart figures to split time behind the plate with Yan Gomes, though the latter could emerge as the primary option if he hits better.

Diaz has gone 7-for-15 with a home run and five RBI during the Cactus League this spring.

Diaz is expected to be the primary starter behind the plate for Colorado once the regular season begins, though Brian Serven is also an option. Prior to leaving camp to play for Colombia in the World Baseball Classic, Diaz had done his part to secure playing time by putting up a 1.289 OPS early in spring. Regardless of his exact role, he'll be looking to improve on the .228/.281/.368 line he managed in 2022.

Ruiz and the Nationals have agreed to an eight-year extension that could be worth up to $50 million, Barry Svrluga of The Washington Post reports.

The contract reportedly includes two club options at the end of the deal. It will buy out two-pre arbitration seasons plus three arbitration years and then three seasons of free agency. The 24-year-old backstop was one of the key players dealt to Washington in the Trea Turner/Max Scherzer blockbuster, and prior to a season-ending groin injury last September, he slashed .251/.313/.360 with seven homers, six steals, 33 runs and 36 RBI through 112 games. Ruiz should be the everyday backstop for the foreseeable future with the Nationals.

Amaya (foot) was optioned to Double-A Tennessee by the Cubs on Friday.

Amaya has yet to play this spring after suffering a Lisfranc fracture last September, although he's supposed to be close. Once healthy, he'll continue to hone his craft at Tennessee.

The Reds plan to carry three catchers this year, with starter Tyler Stephenson getting many of his starts at first base and DH, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Maile drew raves from the Reds pitchers and coaching staff for his ability to call a game, so it wouldn't be a shock if he's called upon to start when one of their many young pitchers are on the mound. With Stepheson projected to start only four of every 10 games behind the plate, there will be plenty of work for Maile and Curt Casali.

The Reds are planning to carry three catchers on their Opening Day roster, which means that both Casali and Luke Maile will make the team as backups behind Tyler Stephenson, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Not only that, but with Stephenson getting a lot of his playing time at first base or DH, Casali and Maile will get multiple starts a week each. The current plan is for Stephenson to start four of every 10 games at catcher.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts hinted Wednesday that Smith will be the team's No. 3 hitter this season, Doug Padilla of the Orange County Register reports. "It's hard to go wrong with [Smith] in the three. A guy that can hit left, hit right, he can drive runs in, values the walk, so makes sense," Roberts said.

Smith most frequently batted out of the cleanup spot in 2022, but Los Angeles' lineup has a different look this season, and Roberts appears to favor moving him up a slot. The backstop should continue to see plenty of opportunities to produce with Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman likely hitting ahead of him, though Smith could play slightly fewer games with the DH slot -- where he started 24 times last year -- now expected to be occupied on a near-everyday basis by J.D. Martinez. Even if that's the case, Smith should have ample opportunity to put up numbers worthy of a top-three catcher in fantasy, which is where he's largely being drafted this spring.

Nola (illness) will start at catcher and bat third in Thursday's Cactus League game against the Guardians.

Nola will return to the spring lineup for the first time since Monday, after a bout with the flu left him unavailable for the past couple of days. The 33-year-old is once again projected to serve as the Padres' top backstop in 2023, though his standing atop the depth chart is more unsteady than it was heading into last season after he turned in a career-worst .650 OPS over 397 plate appearances in 2022.

Barrera has made a strong impression in spring camp, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Cardinals manager Oli Marmol has made it clear that the job behind starting backstop Willson Contreras is "wide open," and Barrera has a strong chance to win that position. The backstop signed on with St. Louis as a non-roster invitee and has posted just a .631 OPS so far over 162 plate appearances at the major-league level. Andrew Knizner is also battling for the backup gig. This appears to be a competition that could go down to the final days of spring training.