MLB Player News

Reds manager David Bell said Friday that he wants Stephenson (collarbone) in the lineup for 140-150 games this season, Bobby Nightengale of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

That helps to explain why the Reds have stacked up an experienced cast of veteran backup catchers -- Curt Casali, Luke Maile, and Austin Romine -- over the course of the winter. Stephenson is expected to see a lot of time at DH and first base to aid in ensuring that he can handle a larger overall workload. The 26-year-old was limited to 50 games in 2022 due to a range of different ailments, but it was a broken collarbone that officially ended his season in August. He's averaged an .823 OPS with 15 home runs and 73 RBI for every 162 games played when healthy.

Perez re-signed with the Mets on a minor-league contract Thursday, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

Perez was acquired from the Pirates last midseason and later elected free agency after being outrighted off the 40-man roster, but he's now back with the organization on a minor-league pact. The 30-year-old sports a career .545 OPS over parts of five big-league seasons.

Barrera signed a minor-league contract with the Cardinals on Friday that includes an invitation to major-league spring training, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

The 28-year-old has seen big-league action in bits and pieces with the Nationals, collecting a .631 OPS in 162 plate appearances over three seasons. Barrera will likely to open 2023 at Triple-A Memphis.

Nido agreed to a two-year, $3.7 million contract extension with the Mets on Wednesday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

The contract covers Nido's remaining arbitration years and pays him $1.6 million in 2023 and $2.1 million in 2024. The 28-year-old is expected to serve as a backup backstop again after registering a .239/.276/.324 slash line over 313 plate appearances for the Mets in 2022.

Knizner agreed to a one-year, $1.1 million contract with the Cardinals on Friday to avoid arbitration, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Knizner appeared in a career-high 97 games last season and had a .215/.301/.300 slash line with four home runs and 25 RBI. He'll remain the No. 2 catcher despite the retirement of Yadier Molina after the Cardinals signed Willson Contreras in free agency.

Stallings signed a one-year, $3.35 million contract with the Marlins on Friday to avoid arbitration, Craig Mish of SportsGrid.com reports.

Stallings managed a lowly .584 OPS in 2022 but continued to draw praise for his defense and handling of the pitching staff. He'll share catching duties with Nick Fortes in 2023.

Nola signed a one-year, $2.35 million contract with the Padres on Friday to avoid arbitration, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Nola put up a disappointing .649 OPS for the Padres last season while making a career-high 94 starts at catcher. He'll enter the 2023 campaign atop the depth chart but figures to cede a good amount of playing time to Luis Campusano.

Smith and the Dodgers agreed on a one-year, $5.25 million contract Friday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Smith will avoid arbitration after a very productive 2022 campaign in which he batted .260 with 24 homers, 87 RBI, 68 runs and a stolen base over 508 at-bats. Hitting in the heart of a stacked Dodgers' lineup, the 27-year-old will remain one of the best fantasy backstops heading into the 2023 season.

Caratini signed a one-year, $2.8 million contract with the Brewers on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Caratini has served as a backup catcher for the majority of his career. However, he's managed to top 300 plate appearances in each of his last two seasons while also grading out as a well above-average framer behind the dish. Entering 2023, Caratini figures to serve as the secondary catcher in Milwaukee behind William Contreras.

Wynns was designated for assignment by the Giants on Friday.

With Michael Conforto officially joining the Giants on Friday, Wynns will serve as the team's roster casualty. The 32-year-old backstop is coming off his best season since 2018, slashing .259/.313/.358 through 177 plate appearances in 2022. Wynns also managed to record a 1.004 OPS in Triple-A last season, making it even more likely that he will be scooped up by another team in need of help behind the dish.