Derek Norris and Jarrod Saltalamacchia Reassigned to Minor League Camp
The Detroit Tigers sent two catchers to minor league camp Thursday: Derek Norris and Jarrod Saltalamacchia. Both catchers signed with Detroit this offseason on minor league contracts with invitations to spring training. It was expected that Norris would at least compete for a spot on the big league roster, but he missed the cut. Norris is a career .230 hitter who hit a career-best 14 HR in both 2015 and 2016. Saltalamacchia spent 2016 with the Tigers and started off hot before fizzling to post a .171 batting average on the season. Either (or both) of them could end up in Detroit at some point this season, but don't count on them being fantasy-relevant for any purpose.
Ex-Tampa Bay Rays catcher Derek Norris has been suspended for the rest of the season. This decision comes as a result of an investigation by MLB into an alleged incident of domestic abuse. He will also forfeit $100K of his termination pay which was donated to charities with a link to domestic violence. It is important to understand that none of this actually means there is definitely a case of domestic violence or even that he actually committed a crime. Hard to tell what his future in MLB is after this hit to his public image.
Derek Norris Is Designated For Assignment Friday By Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay Rays catcher Derek Norris was designated for assignment Friday in order to make room for Wilson Ramos who should be activated in time for the game Saturday. Norris went out on a high note as he homered, drove in two runs and scored three times. There are no guarantees but if you have Norris in a league where catching is scarce, you may want to hold him for a few days. Norris has performed well enough that there may be some interest somewhere.
Tampa Bay Rays catcher Derek Norris blasted two home runs Thursday versus the Chicago White Sox. One of the home runs was a two-run shot to give him three runs batted in over the course of the game. Norris has seven HRs this season but faces the challenge in the form of the approaching return of catcher Wilson Ramos (knee). The reports coming out say that the rehab is going well, so the chances are that Ramos will eventually take back the job. Those that own Norris in two-catcher or AL-only leagues will need to make other plans in the near future.
Tampa Bay Rays catcher Derek Norris is coming off of a terrible 2016 where he posted a .186 batting average in 415 at-bats, but his .323 batting average over the last 14 days could show that he is turning the corner. Norris has an .899 OPS over the last 14 days, scoring six runs and walking six times, showing that he has some value at catcher. His .299 on-base percentage for the season is not very good, but it does improve to .306 against right-handed pitchers, and he has a .500 OBP over his last five games. A big factor for Norris is that he has seen his strikeout percentage go from 30 percent in 2016 to 24 percent this season, and if he can find a way to sustain a BABIP closer to his .289 mark that stands now, he could be a decent streamer at catcher.
