MLB Player News

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.

Smith went 1-for-2 with an RBI and three walks in Tuesday's 4-1 win over the Cubs in Tokyo, Japan.

Smith batted cleanup in the Dodgers' season opener due to both Mookie Betts (illness) and Freddie Freeman (rib) sitting out. The backstop came through with a single to score a run in the fifth frame and walked in three of his other four plate appearances. Smith has consistently demonstrated a good eye at the plate during his career, as he's registered a walk rate over nine percent and a strikeout rate below 20 percent each of the past three campaigns.

Amaya went 1-for-3 with a double and an RBI in Tuesday's 4-1 defeat to the Dodgers in Tokyo.

The Cubs could muster only three hits against Yoshinobu Yamamoto and four relievers, and Amaya provided all the offense on a second-inning double. The catcher managed to carry over a strong spring performance into his 2025 debut, and while veteran Carson Kelly will see some playing time, Amaya could seize a larger role behind the plate if he gets off to a hot start.

The Pirates optioned Delay to Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday.

Delay was unable to win a place on the Opening Day roster after going 2-for-17 with eight strikeouts in 12 spring games. Joey Bart is poised to begin the season as Pittsburgh's No. 1 backstop, with Henry Davis and Endy Rodriguez competing for the backup job.

Salazar was optioned to Triple-A Sugar Land on Tuesday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Yainer Diaz and Victor Caratini are locked in as Houston's top catchers, so it's no surprise Salazar will be opening the campaign at Triple-A. The 29-year-old had a .787 OPS in 12 regular-season games with the Astros last season and had a near-identical .788 mark in 78 contests for Sugar Land.

The Orioles reassigned Basallo to minor-league camp Tuesday, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Basallo made a nice impression during big-league camp in clubbing a couple home runs. The 20-year-old top prospect will split time between catcher and first base with Triple-A Norfolk and could push to make his major-league debut later this season.

The Twins optioned Camargo to Triple-A St. Paul on Tuesday, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Camargo was never going to make the Opening Day roster as long as both Ryan Jeffers and Christian Vazquez were healthy. He'll provide catching depth at St. Paul.

Escarra has a "stranglehold" on the Yankees' backup catcher job behind starter Austin Wells, Jack Curry of YES Network reports.

Escarra has crushed the ball this spring, sporting a 1.032 OPS with three home runs in 14 Grapefruit League contests. The 29-year-old is on the 40-man roster but will be making his major-league debut when he gets into a game. Ben Rice will also be on the Opening Day roster and is capable of catching, but he's likely to focus mostly on designated hitter duties.

Hedges started at designated hitter and went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Monday's Cactus League game against Cincinnati.

The Guardians put out what looked like a normal regular-season lineup, except for Hedges. His main role is as a backup catcher, and he doesn't hit well enough to be a viable DH. At any rate, it was the second Cactus League home run for Hedges, who is batting .133 (11-for-30) with three extra-base hits and three RBI this spring.