Jeff Mathis Fantasy Stats

The Atlanta Braves have acquired catcher Kevan Smith in a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for cash considerations. The team also went on to designate catcher Jeff Mathis for assignment. The 32-year-old Smith has appeared in just three games this year, going 1-for-4 at the plate. Last year, he slashed .258/.378/.452 over 17 games. Mathis had been serving as the team's backup to William Contreras. That role will likely fall to Smith for now. The team's primary catcher Travis d'Arnaud (thumb) is still out for over a month. Alex Jackson (hamstring), who entered the year as the team's No. 2 catcher, is also on the injured list, but could be back soon.

Atlanta Braves catcher Alex Jackson (hamstring) was placed on the 10-day injured list on Sunday with a left hamstring strain, the team announced on Twitter. Jackson becomes the second Braves catcher to land on the injured list, joining Travis d'Arnaud who was placed on the 60-day IL Sunday with a left thumb sprain. Jackson had entered the game as a defensive replacement for d'Arnaud on Saturday, and finished 0-for-2 against the Blue Jays. With d'Arnaud and Jackson both on the injured list, the Braves have recalled William Contreras and selected the contract of Jeff Mathis. With multiple catchers across MLB hitting the injured list this week, Contreras is an interesting option to consider as a replacement.

The Philadelphia Phillies and catcher Jeff Mathis have agreed to a minor league contract worth $1.8 million if he makes the Major League club. Mathis will be 38-years-old in March and is only hanging onto his baseball career thanks to his defensive abilities. He's a career .194 hitter and was actually worse than that in the previous two seasons with Texas. Mathis is, however, an elite pitch framer, leading the league in strike-rate in 2018. Mathis is unlikely to break camp with Philadelphia as J.T. Realmuto, Andrew Knapp, and Rafael Marchan are already on the 40-man roster. This signing could help the Phillies catcher defense, but Mathis isn't someone fantasy managers should roster.

Texas Rangers catcher Jeff Mathis (hamstring) is recovered from the pulled left hamstring that he suffered just before spring training was suspended due to the coronavirus. General manager Jon Daniels said that Mathis just lacks the ability to test the leg under normal circumstances with everyone stuck at home. It sounds like Mathis should be fully healthy and ready to go whenever the 2020 season begins. The 37-year-old veteran backstop hit just .158/.209/.224 with two home runs in his 228 at-bats with the Rangers in 2019, and he'll serve as Robinson Chirinos' primary backup in 2020.

There's a chance that Texas Rangers catcher Jeff Mathis (hamstring) won't be ready for Opening Day, alongside relief pitcherJesse Chavez (elbow, shoulder). Mathis, 36, pulled his left hamstring in the game on Tuesday and was sent for an MRI exam. With Jose Trevino (finger) sidelined with a hairline fracture on his right index finger, it could open up a spots for Blake Swihart, Nick Ciuffo or Tim Federowicz. General manager Jon Daniels said that Chavez won't be ready for the start of the season. The veteran right-hander had elbow surgery last August to remove a bone chip and wasn't able to build up his arm in the offseason. As a result, he's dealt with shoulder weakness this spring. Mathis is expected to be a backup catcher this year, while Sanchez should remain a key piece of the team's bullpen and can also be used as an opener.

The Texas Rangers agreed on a two-year deal, pending a physical, with free-agent catcher Jeff Mathis on Thursday, according to sources. Mathis will be 36 years old next year and hit just .200 with a .544 OPS in 218 plate appearances with the Diamondbacks in 2018. His defense is his calling card, so he shouldn't be owned unless you're in a deep AL-only league. Texas needed to add a backstop with Robinson Chirinos expected to depart in free agency. Jose Trevino is the only other catcher currently on the roster.

Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Chris Herrmann was pulled from yesterday's game in the eighth inning, and Jeff Mathis will start against the Padres and bat eighth tonight. Herrmann left yesterday's game with right hand soreness, finishing 0-for-2 with a walk and a run scored and was replaced by catcher Chris Iannetta, who struck out in his only at-bat. Either Iannetta or Mathis would be the recipient of more playing time if Herrmann were to miss time, and the 29-year-old Herrmann has a .241 OPS over the last 14 days. Iannetta would be the most attractive option for fantasy owners, as he has a .795 OPS this season and has three home runs in the last 14 days. Mathis only has a .502 OPS this season and would only be used in the deepest of leagues.