MLB Player News

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.

Nola was scratched from the Padres' Cactus League lineup Tuesday due to flu-like symptoms.

Nola should be good to go after a day or two of rest and fluids. Pedro Severino will get the start at catcher in his place Tuesday afternoon against the Angels.

Cardinals manager Oli Marmol noted Tuesday that Knizner is not assured of the team's backup catcher role, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Knizner served as the primary understudy to Yadier Molina over the last two seasons, but he holds just a .204/.292/.288 career batting line in 553 plate appearances at the major-league level. Tres Barrera has impressed the Cardinals' coaches and pitchers this spring, per Denton, and might emerge as the No. 2 option behind Willson Contreras.

Amaya (foot) took reps at catcher and hit during a simulated game Saturday and could make his Cactus League debut in the near future, LaMond Pope and Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Amaya looks to be nearing the finish line in his recovery from the Lisfranc fracture he sustained to his left foot while playing at Double-A Tennessee in mid-September. The 23-year-old backstop, who had already missed the first three months of the season while recovering from Tommy John surgery, served exclusively as a designated hitter for Tennessee but was expected to be ready to handle reps behind the plate in the Arizona Fall League had the foot injury not nixed those plans. Amaya said that he felt comfortable while making throws behind the plate Saturday, and his foot presented no complications while he was hitting. Once he makes his spring debut, Amaya should be in the clear for the start of the minor-league season in early April.