MLB Player News

Kirk (personal) will start at catcher and bat third in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Red Sox.

As Rob Longley of the Toronto Sun notes, rain is in the forecast in Dunedin, Fla. for Monday's game, so Kirk could have his spring debut pushed back a day or play fewer innings behind the plate than anticipated. In any case, Kirk looks on track to be ready to go for Opening Day, after he had previously spent the early part of camp away from the team to witness the birth of his child. After hitting .285 with 14 home runs and 63 RBI in 2022 while also making his first All-Star Game appearance, Kirk profiles as a strong No. 1 catcher for fantasy squads during the upcoming season.

Langeliers is hitting .261 (6-for-23) with a double, a home run, three RBI, a walk, a hit by pitch and five runs across nine Cactus League games.

Langeliers, the Athletics' projected Opening Day catcher after the trade of Sean Murphy to Atlanta in December, had a quick start to his spring but has gone 0-for-8 over his last three exhibitions. The 25-year-old posted just a .218 average and middling .691 OPS across his first 153 big-league plate appearances in 2022, and the hope is the exposure he got to major-league arms and his added reps this spring will help him significantly pare down the 34.6 percent strikeout rate he generated in that sample. Results are slightly encouraging on that front thus far in Cactus League play, as Langeliers has struck out seven times in 26 spring training PAs.

Perez was optioned to Triple-A Charlotte on Sunday.

Perez was in camp as the third catcher, but he will predictably open the year at Triple-A. Seby Zavala is set to serve as the backup to Yasmani Grandal.

Sabol could get a look in the outfield after Mitch Haniger (oblique) sustained an injury, Evan Webeck of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Sabol's bat is turning heads in Giants camp -- he has three home runs, three doubles, seven RBI and eight runs scored through eight Cactus League games. He's hitting .529, and he's now being considered for the outfield after initially being labeled a catcher at the start of the spring. Whether the Giants want to carry three catchers remains to be seen, as Joey Bart, Roberto Perez and Austin Wynns all have more major-league experience behind the dish than Sabol, but if the 25-year-old can add some versatility to his profile, he may stick with San Francisco.

Contreras went 2-for-2 with an RBI and two walks in Friday's exhibition contest.

Contreras owns just a .542 OPS through 23 PA this spring, but he did record two multi-hit efforts over his last four appearances. Contreras posted a .670 OPS last spring and still wound up an All-Star, so his slow start should not be any reason for concern.

Barnhart, who went 0-for-2 with a strikeout in Friday's Cactus League game against the White Sox, is now batting just .071 this spring.

Barnhart has one hit in 14 Cactus League at-bats and has struck out three times. The catcher only batted .221 over 94 games with the Tigers last season, so the Cubs weren't expecting a ton of offense from the offseason addition, though a slight uptick in production would be welcome. Barnhart figures to split time behind the plate with Yan Gomes, though the latter could emerge as the primary option if he hits better.

Diaz has gone 7-for-15 with a home run and five RBI during the Cactus League this spring.

Diaz is expected to be the primary starter behind the plate for Colorado once the regular season begins, though Brian Serven is also an option. Prior to leaving camp to play for Colombia in the World Baseball Classic, Diaz had done his part to secure playing time by putting up a 1.289 OPS early in spring. Regardless of his exact role, he'll be looking to improve on the .228/.281/.368 line he managed in 2022.

Ruiz and the Nationals have agreed to an eight-year extension that could be worth up to $50 million, Barry Svrluga of The Washington Post reports.

The contract reportedly includes two club options at the end of the deal. It will buy out two-pre arbitration seasons plus three arbitration years and then three seasons of free agency. The 24-year-old backstop was one of the key players dealt to Washington in the Trea Turner/Max Scherzer blockbuster, and prior to a season-ending groin injury last September, he slashed .251/.313/.360 with seven homers, six steals, 33 runs and 36 RBI through 112 games. Ruiz should be the everyday backstop for the foreseeable future with the Nationals.

Amaya (foot) was optioned to Double-A Tennessee by the Cubs on Friday.

Amaya has yet to play this spring after suffering a Lisfranc fracture last September, although he's supposed to be close. Once healthy, he'll continue to hone his craft at Tennessee.

The Reds plan to carry three catchers this year, with starter Tyler Stephenson getting many of his starts at first base and DH, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Maile drew raves from the Reds pitchers and coaching staff for his ability to call a game, so it wouldn't be a shock if he's called upon to start when one of their many young pitchers are on the mound. With Stepheson projected to start only four of every 10 games behind the plate, there will be plenty of work for Maile and Curt Casali.