MLB Player News

The Diamondbacks optioned Del Castillo to Triple-A Reno on Friday.

Del Castillo missed out on Arizona's Opening Day roster after going 3-for-24 with 12 strikeouts in nine spring games. The 25-year-old could still see the big leagues at some point this season but isn't likely to see much playing time if Gabriel Moreno stays healthy.

Atlanta selected Baldwin's contract from Triple-A Gwinnett on Friday.

The news does not come as a surprise, as it's been pretty clear Atlanta was planning for Baldwin to be its primary catcher while Sean Murphy (rib) is sidelined. Murphy is expected to miss at least the first couple weeks of the season, although there's no clear target date for his return yet. Baldwin has batted .313 (10-for-32) with a 2:7 K:BB this spring after posting a .276/.370/.423 slash line with 18 home runs between Double-A Mississippi and Triple-A Gwinnett in 2024. He could be optioned to Gwinnett once Murphy is ready but will have an opportunity to show he deserves to stick around.

Trevino signed a three-year, $15 million contract extension with the Reds on Thursday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Trevino was traded from the Bronx to Cincinnati this offseason, and his new deal will keep him locked in with the Reds through 2027 and also includes a club option for 2028. The 32-year-old backstop only slashed .215/.288/.354 with 28 RBI over 234 regular-season plate appearances with the Yankees last year, but he's expected to open the season as Cincy's primary catcher while Tyler Stephenson works his way back from an oblique injury.

The Red Sox optioned Sabol to Triple-A Worcester on Thursday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

He went 4-for-19 at the plate for Boston this spring. With Sabol sent down, that means Carlos Narvaez will open the season as the backup catcher behind Connor Wong.

The Phillies optioned Stubbs to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Thursday, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

This transaction locks in Rafael Marchan as the backup catcher behind J.T. Realmuto in Philadelphia to begin the 2025 regular season. Stubbs had a respectable spring with an .804 OPS in 10 games, and he has developed a reputation as a well-liked clubhouse presence, but he is a career .215/.294/.311 hitter in the major leagues.

The Cardinals released Sisco on Wednesday.

Sisco was reassigned to minor-league camp Sunday, but he'll now attempt to latch on with a new organization rather than begin the year in the Cardinals' farm system. The 30-year-old backstop appeared in only seven minor-league games last year and hasn't played in the majors since 2021, so he'll almost certainly have to settle for another minor-league deal in free agency.

Contreras is 11-for-29 (.379) with two home runs, seven RBI, two stolen bases and a 5:4 BB:K through 12 exhibition games.

The National League's reigning Silver Slugger at catcher has posted a 1.092 OPS this spring, and the stolen bases should not come as a surprise considering he tallied nine of them over 155 regular-season appearances in 2024. Contreras will again be the primary catcher for the Brewers and will occupy a prime run-producing spot in the batting order.

The Rays optioned Driscoll (ankle) to Triple-A Durham on Wednesday.

Driscoll reached the majors for the first time in September and was given the chance for a spot on the Opening Day roster, but he didn't make much of a case this spring. He played in just two Grapefruit League games before going down with a right ankle injury that has kept him out of action since Feb. 25. If he's able to move past the injury within the next week, Driscoll should be in store for regular at-bats at Durham, while the Rays proceed with Danny Jansen and Ben Rortvedt as their catching tandem at the big-league level.

The Brewers reassigned Alfaro to minor-league camp Wednesday.

After sitting out the 2024 season upon being cut loose by the Cubs last spring, Alfaro signed a minor-league deal with Milwaukee in January. He impressed at the dish this spring with an .887 OPS over 11 games in Cactus League play, but with William Contreras and Eric Haase ahead of him on the organizational depth chart at catcher, Alfaro didn't have much of a chance at breaking camp with the big club. He'll presumably open the season at Triple-A Nashville, where he'll likely share catching duties with prospect Jeferson Quero (shoulder).

Hicks is expected to begin the season as the Marlins' backup catcher behind Nick Fortes, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

That's no real surprise, especially after top prospect Agustin Ramirez was optioned to Triple-A Jacksonville on Sunday. Hicks, a Rule 5 pick from the Tigers' system, has shown some good plate discipline with a 5:5 BB:K in 11 Grapefruit League appearances this spring, but he's batting just .227 (5-for-22) with a double as his only extra-base hit. The Marlins remain in a seemingly never-ending rebuild, so Hicks will likely get as much playing time as he shows he can handle until Ramirez pushes his way onto the big-league roster.