MLB Player News

Smith is back in the Dodgers' Cactus League lineup Thursday against the Diamondbacks.

Smith will start behind the plate and bat third. He didn't get many at-bats for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic while mostly serving as J.T. Realmuto's backup, so the Dodgers figure to push him harder than usual over what remains of the Cactus League schedule. The 27-year-old has gone as the No. 3 catcher-eligible player off the board in most fantasy drafts for 2023, behind only Realmuto and Daulton Varsho.

Stubbs (knee) took batting practice Thursday morning, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Stubbs still hasn't appeared in a Grapefruit League game since he had to bow out of the World Baseball Classic with a mild right knee sprain, but the 29-year-old catcher is fully expected to be ready to serve as J.T. Realmuto's backup come Opening Day.

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.