The Texas Rangers signed non-tendered catcher Andrew Knizner to a one-year, $1.825 million deal on Thursday. In his five seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals before being non-tendered this offseason, Knizner hit just .216/.290/.331 with 17 home runs, 76 RBI, four stolen bases and 84 runs scored in 255 games played, mostly as a backup. On the bright side, he had his best year in 2023, going 54-for-224 (.241) with career-highs in home runs (10), RBI (31) and runs scored (30) in 70 games played for the Red Birds. In his new home in Texas heading into the 2024 campaign, Knizner will battle for the backup job with Sam Huff behind starter Jonah Heim.
St. Louis Cardinals catcher Andrew Knizner (groin) won't be activated on Saturday. He's ready to return after occupying a place on the 10-day injured list because of a groin injury. But the Cards are contemplating having three backstops on the roster, meaning it could be a while before he's back with the big club, although Ivan Herrera's spot as Willson Contreras' backup isn't secure, by any means.
The St. Louis Cardinals placed catcher Andrew Knizner (groin) on the 10-day injured list on Wednesday. In corresponding moves, the team recalled catcher Ivan Herrera, right-hander Dakota Hudson and left-hander Zack Thompson from Triple-A Memphis and optioned right-hander James Naile to Memphis. Knizner had to go to the emergency room on Tuesday after fouling a ball off his groin area, but he has since been released from the hospital and returned to the team's hotel. The 28-year-old will miss at least the next 10 days, but it's uncertain if he'll be ready to go once the second half of the season starts. In the meantime, Herrera will serve as the backup catcher behind starter Willson Contreras.
St. Louis Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol made it clear on Tuesday that the backup catching job behind starter Willson Contreras is wide open in spring training. Incumbent Andrew Knizner and newcomer Tres Barrera are in a battle for the job in camp, with Barrera impressing the coaching and pitching staffs with his work. Knizner has served as St. Louis' primary backup the last two seasons, but he hasn't impressed anyone with his bat. He hit .215/.301/.300 with a .601 OPS, four home runs, 25 RBI and 28 runs score in 293 plate appearances and 96 games in 2022.
St. Louis Cardinals catcher Andrew Knizner (head) was forced to exit Thursday's game due to concussion symptoms. He took a couple of foul balls to the mask and was unable to continue. He remains with the team, but will be re-evaluated to see if a roster move is needed. Knizner doesn't offer much upside with the bat, but his absence could mean Ivan Herrera gets a chance in St. Louis.
Andrew Knizner Getting The Start At Catcher On Thursday
St. Louis Cardinals catcher Andrew Knizner will draw the start behind the plate for Thursday's matchup with the Milwaukee Brewers. Knizner has started in five of the last 13 games for the Cardinals. This is likely because the organization wants to give veteran Yadier Molina more rest. Knizner will bat eighth and do the catching against right-hander Brandon Woodruff. That being said, Knizner can be ignored as a streaming option here against Woodruff who has been excellent all season long.
St. Louis Cardinals catcher Andrew Knizner is set to work as Yadier Molina's backup this season. Knizner was thought to be the next starting catcher for the Cardinals until they re-signed Molina. They opted not to bring back Matt Wieters or sign any other veteran catcher though, leaving Knizner as the primary backup to the veteran Molina. Knizner is not the typical backup catcher, as his bat is certainly stronger than his glove. He won't have any fantasy value in standard leagues unless Molina gets hurt, however.
St. Louis Activates Matt Wieters From IL, Option Andrew Knizner
St. Louis Cardinals catcher Matt Wieters has been activated from the injured list prior to Fridays contest against the Cubs, with Andrew Knizner being optioned to the clubs alternate site to make room on the active roster. Wieters last appeared Aug. 19, having been sidelined due to a toe contusion. With Yadier Molina firmly entrenched as the teams everyday catcher, Wieters isnt likely to see much playing time, as he is still in search of his first hit of 2020, having gone 0-for-12 with four strikeouts to begin the year.
The St. Louis Cardinals will go with Andrew Knizner behind the plate on Sunday in the finale with Arizona. Matt Wieters will get the day off after starting the last six games following the placement of Yadier Molina on the Injured List. Knizner is 0-for-7 to start his major league career, but he is hitting .277 with seven home runs and 24 RBI at Triple-A. While Cardinals fans will hope for Knizner to get his first career hit today, it's unlikely that he'll have a good fantasy day against All-Star Zack Greinke.
Yadier Molina Placed On Injured List, Andrew Knizner Coming Up
The St. Louis Cardinals placed catcher Yadier Molina (thumb) on the 10-day injured list on Friday with a right thumb tendon strain and called up catching prospect Andrew Knizner from Triple-A Memphis in a corresponding move. Molina's injured list stint is retroactive to May 29. Molina was hitting .265/.294/.397 with four home runs, 18 runs, 33 RBI and four steals. He wasn't setting the world on fire but remains valuable in all leagues at the shallowest position in baseball. Knizner, the team's No. 2 prospect per MLB Pipeline, was slashing .286/.355/.450 with five homers and 17 RBI in 37 games on the farm. He'll split time with Matt Wieters until Molina is back. Wieters has homered in his last two games filling in for Molina and might be worth a pickup in two-catcher leagues in the short term.
