MLB Player News

Knizner was reassigned to minor-league camp Monday.

Knizner entered spring training with a chance to compete for backup duties to Yadier Molina, but those odds took a hit when the Cardinals signed Matt Wieters in late February. The 24-year-old had a .313/.368/.430 slash line between Double-A and Triple-A in 2018.

Diaz (illness) will open the 2019 campaign on the injured list, DK Pittsburgh Sports reports.

He missed the entire Grapefruit League due to a viral infection. Pittsburgh is confident in backup Jacob Stallings, but Diaz represents an appreciable offensive upgrade over Stallings. Diaz has been working out and taking part in simulated games, but he likely won't return until the middle of April, at the earliest.

D'Arnaud (elbow) will be placed on the injured list at the start of the season, Matt Ehalt of The Bergen Record reports.

D'Arnaud is still recovering from Tommy John surgery, but he was able to play in some spring games, so his absence may not be a long one. Tomas Nido will back up Wilson Ramos in d'Arnaud's absence.

Mejia will be included on the Padres' Opening Day roster, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Mejia earned himself a spot on the team's Opening Day roster thanks to an impressive showing in spring; across 18 Cactus League games, the backstop slashed .348/.375/.630 with three homers and 14 RBI. He figures to open the season as the backup behind the dish to Austin Hedges, though the 23-year-old could force his way into the lineup more regularly if he carries his success from spring into the regular season.

Barnhart went 1-for-3 in the Reds' loss to the Braves on Monday and will finish spring training hitting .135/.256/.243, as he's not in the lineup Tuesday.

Barnhart is frequently drafted as a "can't hurt you" second catcher in two-catcher leagues. He did draw six walks in his 43 plate appearances, but had just five hits all spring. He struck out 12 times, good for a 28 percent strikeout percentage, well above his career norms. All of this comes with the obvious caution that it's a small sample, and a spring training one at that.

Mesoraco will be placed on the restricted list after declining a minor-league assignment, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.

As expected, Mesoraco will shift to the restricted list after failing to make the Opening Day roster and refusing a minor-league assignment. He'll likely elect to retire following this latest development.

Mesoraco is expected to retire, Matt Ehalt of The Bergen Record reports.

The Mets, who informed Mesoraco over the weekend that he wouldn't be on their Opening Day roster, are expected to place the backstop on the restricted list, as he has no plans to accept his minor-league assignment (and the Mets don't want to release him). Should he call it quits, Mesoraco will end his career with a .232/.309/.406 triple-slash over parts of eight seasons.

Murphy was claimed off waivers by the Giants on Monday, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.

Murphy has found a new home after being designated for assignment by the Rockies over the weekend. The backstop should immediately challenge Erik Kratz for a role as Buster Posey's backup. Both Murphy and Kratz are out of minor-league options, so perhaps the Giants will attempt to sneak one of them through waivers. Murphy hit .250/.323/.607 with three homers in 17 appearances this spring. He owns a career .219/.271/.439 with 10 homers across parts of four big-league seasons (81 games).

Murphy was designated for assignment by the Rockies, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

With Murphy hitting waivers, the Rockies will move forward with Chris Iannetta and Tony Wolters as their pairing behind the dish. The backstop hit a solid .250/.323/.607 with three homers and six RBI this spring, but the team opted to go with its stronger defensive options (Wolters and Iannetta) for its young pitching staff.

Davis was optioned to Triple-A Iowa on Saturday, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reports.

Davis has appeared in 13 game for the Cubs over the last two seasons and had no clear path to an Opening Day roster spot with Willson Contreras and Victor Caratini both healthy. The 29-year-old is ticketed for another season at Iowa, where he has a .285/.352/.396 slash line across the last four seasons.