MLB Player News

Jeffers went 0-for-4 in Wednesday's spring training win over Boston and is hitting .214 (6-for-28) with two home runs and a .790 OPS this spring.

Jeffers' numbers this spring are similar for what to expect during the regular season. He offers some power and the ability to draw walks (9.7% BB%), but he has a low batting average. Jeffers will split playing time with Christian Vazquez and will likely get the minority of playing time.

Serven has struck out 20 times across 42 plate appearances during Cactus League games this spring.

Serven is all but locked into a roster spot, so even his slow spring performance isn't likely to change his status for Opening Day. However, he may lose out on playing time to Elias Diaz -- the Rockies' other catcher that will start the campaign in the majors --until he can show he can get back on track at the dish.

Garver is expected to catch back-to-back games this week for first time this spring, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.

Garver is slowly ramping up his time behind the plate. He played seven innings in a game last week, then a full nine two days later. He also thwarted a stolen-base attempt apiece in each game, which is more outs than he had in the limited time he caught in 2022. "I was pretty excited," Garver said. "I got into a good position. I made a good throw. It felt good. It has felt good all spring." Despite the promising results, Garver is expected to get fewer starts at catcher than Jonah Heim, per Kennedi Landry of MLB.com. That's partially due to Garver coming off forearm surgery, but Heim possesses a quicker release, stronger arm and quicker pop time, skills that will be handy for an expected increase in attempted steals in 2023. When not behind the plate, Garver is expected to rotate in at designated hitter.

Heim is expected to catch more games than Mitch Garver, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

It's essentially the same scenario as 2022, when Garver was limited to designated hitter duty due to a forearm injury that eventually required surgery. Heim filled in and caught the majority of games, although he did wear down after the All-Star break. "I think it's fair to say Jonah will do a bit more catching, especially with where Mitch is at now," manager Bruce Bochy said. "Mitch is doing great. We certainly want to keep him healthy. I wouldn't put it 50/50, to be honest." Garver will get starts behind the plate and is ramping up his activity there -- he caught a full nine-inning game last week, and the next step is to catch on back-to-back days this week, per Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News. Heim has a quicker release and stronger arm than Garver, as well as pop time -- from release to the ball hitting the fielder's glove. All those skills gives Heim an edge in a season where more attempted steals are expected due to the shorter distance between larger bases.

Murphy (forearm) is expected to return to the Mariners' Cactus League lineup Thursday, Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times reports.

Murphy was scratched from the lineup Monday and is not in there Wednesday, but his left forearm tightness has proven to be a minor issue. He should be in the clear to open the 2023 regular season as an active backup to primary Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh.

Nola (nose) will go through baseball activities Wednesday, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Nola suffered a broken nose as a result of a hit-by-pitch during Sunday's Cactus League game against the Cubs. However, while surely still in some pain, he has not been ruled out for Opening Day. Being able to get through Wednesday's workout with no issues figures to go a long way in determining his status.

Cardinals manager Oli Marmol said Wednesday that Contreras is likely to bat fifth this season, Ben Frederickson of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Marmol added that Paul Goldschmidt will likely hit third, with Nolan Arenado handling cleanup duties. Brendan Donovan figures to serve as the primary leadoff man in most pitching matchups and Tyler O'Neill could open as the No. 2 hitter. Lars Nootbaar and Tommy Edman might regularly factor into that top-of-the-order mix as well. Contreras signed a five-year, $87.5 million contract with St. Louis in December and has posted a .367 batting average and .891 OPS through 33 plate appearances this spring in Grapefruit League play.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Wong (hamstring) will be a "full go" for Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Pirates, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Wong has missed most of March with a left hamstring strain but appears to have put the injury behind him. He is competing with Jorge Alfaro for the backup catcher job behind Reese McGuire.

The Rays optioned Pinto to Triple-A Durham on Wednesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Christian Bethancourt and Francisco Mejia have both made it through spring camp unscathed, so Pinto will be stationed at Durham as the likely No. 3 catcher on Tampa Bay's organizational depth chart. The 26-year-old batted just slashed .213/.241/.325 over his first 83 major-league plate appearances in 2022.

Kansas City optioned Fermin to Triple-A Omaha on Wednesday.

With Kansas City expected to go with Salvador Perez and MJ Melendez as its lone options at catcher to begin the season, Fermin will miss out on a spot on the Opening Day roster. Fermin performed well in the Cactus League with a .906 OPS in 25 plate appearances before the demotion, and if either Melendez or Perez is to miss time at any point, Fermin will likely be the first catcher called on as a replacement.