MLB Player News

Adams should open the season as the Nationals' backup catcher behind Keibert Ruiz, Jessica Camerato of MLB.com reports.

Acquired from Toronto last season in a trade for Brad Hand, Adams posted an .887 OPS in 90 plate appearances with Washington after slashing .239/.371/.487 with seven homers in 35 games for Triple-A Buffalo last year prior to the trade. The 25-year-old's power and patience profile could give him some modest fantasy value in deep NL-only formats.

Herrera was optioned to Triple-A Memphis on Thursday.

Herrera spent the majority of the 2021 season with Double-A Springfield, where he hit .231/.346/.408 across 437 plate appearances. He was promoted to Triple-A Memphis to close the campaign, though he appeared in only one game at the level. Given that, it's no surprise that he isn't starting the season in St. Louis, but he could be in line for his big-league debut if either Yadier Molina or Andrew Knizner suffer an injury.

The Phillies optioned Sands to minor-league camp Thursday.

Philadelphia will have two extra active roster spots available through May 1 due to the compressed spring training, but Sands won't stick around as the team's No. 3 catcher behind J.T. Realmuto and Garrett Stubbs. Rather than Sands, Rafael Marchan looks to be the next man up at catcher if something should happen to the top two options on the organizational depth chart.

Tromp was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett on Wednesday.

Tromp inked a minor-league deal with Atlanta in mid-March and will unsurprisingly begin the season at the Triple-A level. He appeared in nine big-league games last year for San Francisco and could receive a promotion in 2022 if Atlanta deals with any injuries behind the plate.

Contreras went 1-for-1 with a walk and a two-run home run in Tuesday's Cactus League game against the Diamondbacks.

Contreras is only batting .222 this spring, though his 1.089 OPS is much more impressive. The veteran catcher did not reach a deal with the Cubs before the arbitration deadline earlier this month, so he will have a hearing coming up in the near future. Contreras is under team control through the end of 2022, though Chicago could of course trade him at some point during the season. For now, he profiles as the team's everyday backstop, with Yan Gomes serving in a reserve role.

McCann (back) will start at catcher and bat eighth in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Marlins.

Just as manager Buck Showalter said would be the case, McCann is ready to go after he was sidelined for game action over the past week while dealing with back soreness. The missed time shouldn't affect McCann's preparation for Opening Day. He's projected to serve as the Mets' clear No. 1 catcher in 2022 after the team didn't add much in the way of competition during the offseason.

The Mets sent Alvarez to minor-league spring training Monday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Alvarez was in big-league camp with the Mets but never had a realistic chance of making the Opening Day roster. The 20-year-old, who is New York's top prospect, spent most of the 2021 campaign at High-A Brooklyn, where he hit .247/.351/.538 with 22 home runs, 58 RBI and six stolen bases in 84 games. He's likely to start out 2022 with Double-A Binghamton given his success at Brooklyn last season.

Wynns was assigned to minor-league camp on Monday.

Wynns was in camp as a non-roster invitee but faced long odds to crack the Opening Day roster. The Phillies already have Garrett Stubbs, Donny Sands and Rafael Marchan on the 40-man roster to provide depth behind J.T. Realmuto, so it would take multiple injuries for Wynns to earn a spot.

Amaya (elbow) was optioned to Double-A Tennessee on Monday, Tony Andracki of Marquee Sports Network reports

Amaya underwent Tommy John surgery back in November and is still rehabbing. He doesn't have a clear timeline for his return to action.

The Brewers optioned Sullivan to Triple-A Nashville on Monday.

The versatile Sullivan had been hopeful to break camp with the Brewers as a No. 3 catcher and reserve option in the infield and outfield, but the fact that he has minor-league options remaining likely worked against him in his bid for the Opening Day roster. The 28-year-old will thus have to wait longer to make his MLB debut, though the fact that he possesses a spot on the 40-man roster bodes well for his chances of earning a call-up if the Brewers' position-player depth is tested at any point.