The Cleveland Guardians have re-signed veteran backup catcher Austin Hedges to a one-year contract. Hedges played 66 games for Cleveland last season, posting a .152-2-15-12-2 line in 146 PA. While the offensive statistics don't jump off the page, the 32-year-old is said to be a clubhouse leader and mentor to young starting catcher Bo Naylor. That's certainly a good thing for the Guardians, however, it doesn't move the needle for fantasy. Even if something were to happen to Naylor, as a career .186 hitter over 12 major league seasons, the former second-round draft pick would likely be best left on the waiver wire.
The Cleveland Guardians have reportedly signed free-agent catcher Austin Hedges. The deal is a one-year contract for $4 million for the upcoming 2024 season. The expectation is that Hedges is going to be the backup to Bo Naylor. Hedges is a solid defensive catcher, but his skills with the bat are not desirable. He slashed 184/.234/.227 with one home run and 16 RBI last season. Hedges won't be someone worth rostering in fantasy formats. Although, it's a nice pickup for the Guardians on a cheap one year deal.
Rangers Acquiring Catcher Austin Hedges From Pirates
The Texas Rangers are acquiring catcher Austin Hedges from the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday, according to sources. It's unclear what the Pirates are getting in return, but it's unlikely to be anyone of significance in terms of minor-league prospects. The Rangers could use some more catching depth with Jonah Heim (wrist) currently on the 10-day injured list with a left-wrist tendon strain. Texas hopes Heim can avoid season-ending surgery. Hedges is hitting just .180/.237/.230 with a homer, 14 RBI and 13 runs scored in 161 at-bats this year with Pittsburgh. The defense-first backstop should split playing time with Mitch Garver in his new home. Back in Pittsburgh, rookie Endy Rodriguez will now be given more playing time with Hedges out of the way.
Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Austin Hedges will return to the lineup Thursday versus the Cincinnati Reds and right-hander Luke Weaver. Hedges got the day off in Wednesday's series finale against the Rockies while he's off to a rough start to his 2023 season. The veteran backstop is hitting just .136 without a home run in 25 trips to the plate, which isn't entirely surprising. Once a highly-regarded prospect, the 30-year-old has very much been a glove-first catcher with elite defense and an unproductive bat. While he boasts some pop, Hedges is a career .189 hitter alongside a .141 isolated power and .249 wOBA. Fellow catcher Jason Delay is getting the lion's share of reps behind the plate for the Pirates and is hitting .313 with a homer and an .871 OPS across 35 plate appearances.
Austin Hedges Placed On 7-Day Injured List Tuesday
Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Austin Hedges (concussion) was placed on the 7-day concussion injured list Tuesday due to a concussion he suffered in Sunday's game against the Reds. Hedges was struck by a foul tip and was eventually removed from the game. Catcher Tyler Heineman was selected from Triple-A Indianapolis and relief pitcher Edwin Uceta was designated for assignment in corresponding moves. Hedges has never been a fantasy asset and is off to a slow start this season, going hitless in his first nine plate appearances.
Free agent catcher Austin Hedges signed a one-year, $five million contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday. The 30-year-old is known more for his defense and will be Pittsburgh's primary catcher in 2023. He slashed .163/.241/.248 with seven home runs, 30 RBI, 26 runs, and two stolen bases over 105 games for the Guardians in 2022. The presence of Hedges should improve the Pirates pitching staff, but the veteran hasn't hit above .200 since 2018. Hedges should be in the lineup most days and is mainly an option in deep-league two-catcher formats in 2023.
Cleveland Guardians catcher Austin Hedges is not in the starting lineup on Saturday against the Tampa Bay Rays. Hedges is hitting just .172/.235/.278 on the season with six home runs, 18 RBI, 16 runs scored and a stolen base in 180 at-bats, so he hasn't been of much help to fantasy managers, even in two-catcher leagues. It's the second time in the last three games that he'll start on the bench. Luke Maile will do the catching on Saturday and is hitting eighth against Rays right-hander Corey Kluber. Maile hasn't been much better than Hedges on the year, going 18-for-98 (.188) with no home runs and six RBI in 42 games. Avoid Maile in DFS.
Cleveland Guardians catcher Austin Hedges (hip) is likely to be out of the starting lineup for a few days. The organization considers Hedges day-to-day with a left hip injury. He tweaked his hip during Friday's game and hasn't played since then. It's possible that Hedges lands on the injured list, but the organization might wait and see if Hedges improves. Until then, Luke Maile is likely to continue starting behind the plate. Neither player offers much upside in terms of fantasy value.
Cleveland Guardians catcher Austin Hedges is back in the lineup on Tuesday for a matchup with the San Diego Padres and right-hander Mike Clevinger. Hedges is batting ninth against the veteran. For the season, Hedges is hitting .140 with a .204 on-base percentage, two home runs, and a stolen base in 56 plate appearances. Fantasy managers in search of streaming help at the position are probably best off looking elsewhere for catching options.
The Cleveland Indians activated catcher Austin Hedges (concussion) from the injured list on Thursday, and he is starting and hitting ninth against Minnesota Twins right-hander Jose Berrios. Catcher Ryan Lavarnway was designated for assignment in a corresponding move. With Roberto Perez on the injured list, Hedges and Rene Rivera will handle the catching duties for manager Terry Francona's club. The 28-year-old has hit just .144 with three home runs and a .205 on-base percentage in 115 plate appearances this season. A .197 batting average on balls in play hints at some positive regression coming, but Hedges is also striking out plenty with a 34.8% strikeout rate. Even if Hedges starts more often than Rivera, fantasy managers are probably better off looking for catching help elsewhere.
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