MLB Player News

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.

Rutschman is batting .333 (6-for-18) with a solo home run, two runs scored and four walks over eight Grapefruit League games.

It's business as usual for Rutschman, who is enjoying his first full spring training as a major leaguer. The 25-year-old established himself with a .254/.362/.445 slash line, 13 home runs, 42 RBI, 70 runs scored and four stolen bases to go with excellent defense over 113 games in 2022, and he enters this season as the clear No. 1 behind the dish for Baltimore, a spot he'll likely occupy for years to come.

The Reds are planning to carry three catchers on their Opening Day roster, which means that both Casali and Luke Maile will make the team as backups behind Tyler Stephenson, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Not only that, but with Stephenson getting a lot of his playing time at first base or DH, Casali and Maile will get multiple starts a week each. The current plan is for Stephenson to start four of every 10 games at catcher.

Naylor was optioned to Triple-A Columbus by the Guardians on Friday, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

Naylor is likely the Guardians' catcher of the future, but they'd like him to get more reps in the minors. Mike Zunino will handle the bulk of the catching duties for Cleveland, with Bryan Lavastida, Cam Gallagher and Zack Collins battling for the backup spot.

Kirk (personal) could make his Grapefruit League debut as soon as Sunday or Monday, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.

Kirk didn't report to camp until the beginning of March after being away from the team while awaiting the birth of his child. He's getting back up to speed, though, and is nearly ready for games.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts hinted Wednesday that Smith will be the team's No. 3 hitter this season, Doug Padilla of the Orange County Register reports. "It's hard to go wrong with [Smith] in the three. A guy that can hit left, hit right, he can drive runs in, values the walk, so makes sense," Roberts said.

Smith most frequently batted out of the cleanup spot in 2022, but Los Angeles' lineup has a different look this season, and Roberts appears to favor moving him up a slot. The backstop should continue to see plenty of opportunities to produce with Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman likely hitting ahead of him, though Smith could play slightly fewer games with the DH slot -- where he started 24 times last year -- now expected to be occupied on a near-everyday basis by J.D. Martinez. Even if that's the case, Smith should have ample opportunity to put up numbers worthy of a top-three catcher in fantasy, which is where he's largely being drafted this spring.

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.