MLB Player News

Zavala has appeared in five Cactus League games to date, going 3-for-9 with a home run and a 3:4 BB:K.

Zavala closed the 2022 season on the injured list with a concussion, but he's back to full health for spring training and will be looking to lock down the No. 2 catcher role behind Yasmani Grandal. He may face some competition for those duties from 26-year-old prospect Carlos Perez, but because Perez has two minor-league options remaining, Zavala most likely has the inside track for the backup gig. Zavala helped his case by producing at an above-league-average level at the plate in his 205 plate appearances a season ago (.270/.347/.382 slash line, 111 wRC+), and he also graded out favorably as a defender.

Nola (illness) will start at catcher and bat third in Thursday's Cactus League game against the Guardians.

Nola will return to the spring lineup for the first time since Monday, after a bout with the flu left him unavailable for the past couple of days. The 33-year-old is once again projected to serve as the Padres' top backstop in 2023, though his standing atop the depth chart is more unsteady than it was heading into last season after he turned in a career-worst .650 OPS over 397 plate appearances in 2022.

Wong (hamstring) was cleared to resume hitting Wednesday, Mike Monaco of ESPN reports.

Wong is dealing with a Grade 1 left hamstring strain, but the backstop has been able to participate in agility drills and now is able to swing the bat as he looks to make his way back. The backstop has a chance to be ready for Opening Day, but that's far from a foregone conclusion at this point.

Barrera has made a strong impression in spring camp, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Cardinals manager Oli Marmol has made it clear that the job behind starting backstop Willson Contreras is "wide open," and Barrera has a strong chance to win that position. The backstop signed on with St. Louis as a non-roster invitee and has posted just a .631 OPS so far over 162 plate appearances at the major-league level. Andrew Knizner is also battling for the backup gig. This appears to be a competition that could go down to the final days of spring training.

Nola was scratched from the Padres' Cactus League lineup Tuesday due to flu-like symptoms.

Nola should be good to go after a day or two of rest and fluids. Pedro Severino will get the start at catcher in his place Tuesday afternoon against the Angels.

Cardinals manager Oli Marmol noted Tuesday that Knizner is not assured of the team's backup catcher role, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Knizner served as the primary understudy to Yadier Molina over the last two seasons, but he holds just a .204/.292/.288 career batting line in 553 plate appearances at the major-league level. Tres Barrera has impressed the Cardinals' coaches and pitchers this spring, per Denton, and might emerge as the No. 2 option behind Willson Contreras.

Huff (shoulder) caught two innings and drew a walk in his lone plate appearance in Monday's 4-1 loss to the Rockies in Cactus League play.

Huff returned to action for the first time since last Wednesday, when he sustained a right shoulder injury in a game against the Padres. The Rangers never expressed much concern about the condition of Huff's shoulder, and his ability to check back in behind the plate less than a week later suggests he'll be ready to go for the start of the regular season.

Wong (hamstring) was able to go through some agility drills Sunday, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Wong has also been doing some running in the pool. While he might be a tad ahead of schedule in his recovery from a Grade 1 left hamstring strain, Wong's availability for Opening Day remains very much up in the air.

Amaya (foot) took reps at catcher and hit during a simulated game Saturday and could make his Cactus League debut in the near future, LaMond Pope and Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Amaya looks to be nearing the finish line in his recovery from the Lisfranc fracture he sustained to his left foot while playing at Double-A Tennessee in mid-September. The 23-year-old backstop, who had already missed the first three months of the season while recovering from Tommy John surgery, served exclusively as a designated hitter for Tennessee but was expected to be ready to handle reps behind the plate in the Arizona Fall League had the foot injury not nixed those plans. Amaya said that he felt comfortable while making throws behind the plate Saturday, and his foot presented no complications while he was hitting. Once he makes his spring debut, Amaya should be in the clear for the start of the minor-league season in early April.

Rogers went 2-for-2 with a walk and a solo home run in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Twins.

Rogers has now slugged three home runs in only five spring training games. The catcher has 10 career regular season long balls in 73 games at the MLB level, so he has shown decent power potential in his limited time in the majors. Rogers has the inside track on the backup role behind Eric Haase, but if the former manages to earn more playing time, he could have some fantasy appeal as a source of home runs from the catcher position.