MLB Player News

Jackson is expected to start at catcher Friday against the Mets since Travis d'Arnaud (illness) and Tyler Flowers (illness) didn't travel with the team, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Flowers and d'Arnaud both tested negative for COVID-19, but they remain in Atlanta since they're exhibiting symptoms. Jackson appeared in four games for the Braves last season and went hitless in 15 plate appearances, but he should edge out William Contreras for the start, since the latter has yet to play even at the Triple-A level. It's unclear when the two veteran catchers are expected to rejoin the team.

D'Arnaud tested negative for COVID-19 but is showing symptoms and didn't travel with the team to New York for Friday's season opener, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Tyler Flowers also remains in Atlanta under similar circumstances, so the Braves will be without their top two catchers to begin the season. Alex Jackson will come up from the taxi squad to start behind the plate Friday.

Knizner was named to the Cardinals' Opening Day roster on Thursday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

The promising backstop showed enough in summer camp to finish making his case for a spot that could see him fill a few different roles. Knizner will be available off the bench, as an occasional spot starter in place of the aging top duo of Yadier Molina and Matt Wieters and as a bullpen catcher whenever needed. The Cardinals were intent on allowing Knizner to continue his development in a year without minor-league baseball, with president of baseball operations confirming that was one of the team's priorities.

Amaya was not included on the Cubs' 30-man Opening Day roster.

This isn't a huge surprise, as Amaya has yet to appear above High-A. The 21-year-old will spend the 2020 season working on his development at the team's alternate site in South Bend, and he remains in the Cubs' future plans behind the plate.

Ruiz (undisclosed) did not make the Dodgers' 30-man roster.

Ruiz missed most of summer camp for an undisclosed reason and was never a serious candidate for a roster spot. He'll head to the team's alternate training site and serve as organizational depth this season.

The Giants selected Heineman's contract Thursday.

Heineman essentially clinched a roster spot earlier this month when Buster Posey opted out of the 2020 season, so the Giants' decision to select his contract was fully expected. He's expected to split time behind the dish with Rob Brantly to begin the season, but a hot start offensively could quickly allow Heineman to establish himself as the clear No. 1 option.

Manager Dave Roberts said in an appearance Thursday on the "Off Air with Joe and Orel" podcast that Barnes will be behind the plate in the Dodgers' Opening Day game against the Giants, Eric Stephen of TrueBlueLA.com reports.

Roberts indicated that he expects Will Smith to start three of the Dodgers' first five games, suggesting that he's still Option 1A in the team's timeshare at catcher. The more defensive-minded Barnes looks like he could settle in as a full-time battery mate for Clayton Kershaw, who will take the hill for his franchise-record ninth Opening Day start.

Manager Dave Roberts said in an appearance Thursday on the "Off Air with Joe and Orel" podcast that Smith will be out of the lineup for the Dodgers' Opening Day game against the Giants, Eric Stephen of TrueBlueLA.com reports.

Fantasy players will want to confirm as much when the Dodgers formally release their lineup later Thursday, but Roberts said that Smith will give way to Austin Barnes in the opener. Roberts mentioned that he expects Smith to catch three of the team's first five games, so the 25-year-old looks to be Option 1A in the timeshare at catcher.

Tromp is day-to-day with hamstring tightness, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Tromp experienced tightness in his hamstring earlier in the week and is expected to miss a few days as a result. He figures to serve as catching depth once healthy.

The Pirates placed Maile (finger) on the 60-day injured list Thursday.

Maile was ruled out for 10-to-12 weeks after undergoing surgery July 17 to repair a fractured index finger on his throwing hand, so the transaction comes as little surprise. The Pirates will proceed with Jacob Stallings and John Ryan Murphy as their two catchers on the Opening Day roster with Maile sidelined.