MLB Player News

Realmuto went 2-for-3 with a walk, a solo home run and a second run scored in Saturday's 12-4 loss to Atlanta.

The 33-year-old catcher tagged Jesse Chavez for his first long ball of the season in the third inning, but the Phillies were already in a 7-3 hole before he'd even stepped into the batter's box. Realmuto's .762 OPS last year was his lowest mark since 2015, his first full season in the majors, while his 25.7 percent strikeout rate was a career worst. Even so, he still delivered 20 homers and 16 steals in 135 games, and unless the bottom completely falls out for him in 2024, Realmuto should be one of the top fantasy options behind the plate.

Vazquez started at catcher and went 1-for-4 with an RBI in Saturday's win at Kansas City.

Vazquez struggled at the plate last season by hitting just .223 with little power (.095 ISO) and a paltry .280 OBA, so it was good to see him have a good first game of the season with a key RBI late in the game. He also threw out Bobby Witt on a steal attempt late in the game. Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said the plan is to roughly split playing time at catcher with Ryan Jeffers as the Twins aim to keep both players fresh.

McCann started at catcher in his major-league debut Saturday against the Guardians, going 0-for-2 with a bases-loaded walk, another base on balls and a run in the 12-3 loss.

McCann's patience with the bases loaded in the third inning paid off, as his free pass brought home Zack Gelof to snap a 2-2 tie and give Oakland what would be its final run of the day. The rookie backstop will need to curb his bloated strikeout rate significantly to have long-term success against big-league arms, but he did combine those poor contact rates in the minors with double-digit walk rates in all but his 2023 stint at Triple-A Las Vegas (9.8 percent). McCann is slated to spell Shea Langeliers behind the dish on occasion for the foreseeable future after beating out Carlos Perez for the No. 2 job this spring.

Ruiz went 3-for-4 with a home run and three RBI in Saturday's 7-6 win over the Reds.

Ruiz drove in the game's first run in the fourth inning, hit his first home run of the season in the eighth and drove in the game-tying run on a hit-by-pitch in the ninth. His long ball snuck just inside the right-field foul pole and was estimated at 397 feet. Now 25 years old, Ruiz will attempt to build on a strong 2023 season in which he hit 18 homers with 67 RBI.

Murphy was diagnosed with a Grade 1 left oblique strain Saturday, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Murphy landed on the 10-day injured list prior to Saturday's game with an injury suffered in Friday's opener, but an MRI has revealed a best-case scenario. He will be eligible for activation April 9, and while Murphy might not be ready at that time, it shouldn't be a lengthy absence. Travis d'Arnaud will be Atlanta's regular catcher while Murphy is out.

Contreras isn't in the Cardinals' lineup for Saturday's game against the Dodgers, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Contreras will catch a breather Saturday after starting the year 1-for-7 with three strikeouts across St. Louis' first two games. Ivan Herrera will fill in behind the dish and bat sixth.

Bailey isn't in the Giants' lineup for Saturday's game against the Padres, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Bailey will catch a breather Saturday after going 2-for-3 with a walk and a run scored during Friday's win. Tom Murphy will start behind the plate instead and bat eighth.

Rortvedt is not in the Rays' lineup for Saturday's game against the Blue Jays.

Rortvedt drew the start Friday and went 2-for-3 with one walk. Rene Pinto will return behind the plate to start at catcher.

Campusano isn't in the Padres' lineup for Saturday's game against the Giants.

Campusano is 6-for-18 with two RBI through the Padres' first four games of the year, and he'll get his first day off of the season Saturday. Kyle Higashioka will get the nod behind the plate and bat ninth.

Serven will start at catcher and hit in the No. 8 spot in Saturday's game against Tampa Bay.

After being DFA'd by the Rockies and Cubs over the offseason, Serven joined the Blue Jays in January. He managed to make the Opening Day roster with Danny Jansen (wrist) starting the season on the 10-day injured list. After Alejandro Kirk started the first two games, Serven will start at catcher Saturday and face Rays right-hander Zack Littell.