MLB Player News

Barnhart isn't in the lineup for Friday's season opener against the Tigers.

The 29-year-old was expected to open the season as the Reds' primary catcher, but Curt Casali ends up receiving the start Opening Day. Barnhart had a .231/.328/.380 slash line with 11 home runs last season, and he's now exclusively hitting from the left side rather than being a switch hitter.

D'Arnaud (illness) was placed on the COVID-19 injured list Friday, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

The 31-year-old actually tested negative for COVID-19 but is exhibiting symptoms, so he didn't travel with the team for Opening Day. D'Arnaud can rejoin the team once clear of the symptoms since there's no minimum stay for the specialized IL. Tyler Flowers is sidelined by similar circumstances, leaving Alex Jackson and William Contreras to handle catching duties for the Braves.

Contreras was recalled by the Braves ahead of their season opener against the Mets on Friday.

The Braves recalled both Contreras and Alex Jackson, as they'll need to call on their catching depth right away with both Tyler Flowers and Travis d'Arnaud showing coronavirus symptoms. Both tested negative for the virus but will remain away from the team for now. Contreras is an interesting prospect with the potential to contribute both offensively and defensively, but he wouldn't be making his big-league debut just yet under ordinary circumstances. He's yet to reach the Triple-A level and hit an unimpressive .246/.306/.340 in 60 games for Double-A Mississippi last season. He'll likely be Jackson's backup for now.

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.