The Cubs signed Casali to a minor-league contract Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Casali was released by the Marlins earlier this week after failing to crack their Opening Day roster. The veteran backstop will head to Triple-A Iowa for now, where he will be the third catcher on the organizational depth chart behind Yan Gomes and Miguel Amaya.

Casali was released by the Marlins on Tuesday, Daniel Alvarez-Montes of ElExtraBase.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

It's unclear whether he exercised the opt-out clause in his minor-league contract or the Marlins simply decided to cut bait, but either way, Casali is now looking for a new home. Nick Fortes and Christian Bethancourt will serve as Miami's catching duo this season.

Casali will not make the Marlins' Opening Day roster, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Casali was brought in as a non-roster invitee this spring, but he was unable to beat out Nick Fortes or Christian Bethancourt for a spot on the roster. Casali has the ability to opt out of his contract with the Marlins and enter free agency, but it remains to be seen whether or not he will do so.

Casali signed a minor-league deal with the Marlins on Tuesday, which includes an invitation to spring training, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Casali was the backup catcher in Cincinnati for portions of 2023, though he earned only 96 plate appearances and posted a very poor .490 OPS. On the other hand, he lands in a good spot from an opportunity perspective, as Miami has only Nick Fortes and Christian Bethancourt as options behind the dish.

The Reds declined Casali's $2.5 million option for 2024 on Saturday, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 34-year-old backstop will receive a $750,000 buyout and enter the free agent market. Casali slashed just .175/.290/.200 with six RBI across 96 plate appearances in 2023 and likely will be limited to a depth role with his new organization.

Casali (foot) was removed from his minor-league rehab assignment Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Casali isn't immediately rejoining the Reds' 26-man active roster, so he might have suffered a setback of some sort. The veteran catcher landed on the 10-day injured list in late July because of a left foot contusion.

Casali (foot) began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Louisville on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Casali landed on the injured list July 24 with a bruised left foot and is now set to begin the final stage of his recovery process. The Reds were carrying three catchers prior to Casali getting injured, so it's possible Casali is optioned to Louisville upon being reinstated so Cincinnati can maintain a traditional two-catcher roster.

Casali was placed on the 10-day injured list Monday with a left foot contusion, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

It's not clear when or how Casali suffered the injury, but he will be on the shelf for a bit. The Reds have been carrying three catchers, so they'll now go to a more traditional two-catcher setup.

Casali remains out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Cardinals.

EDGE Analysis

Casali has now started in just two of the Reds' last 10 games, and he's recorded just one hit in 22 at-bats dating back to April 19. The 34-year-old appears to have slipped to third on the Reds' depth chart at catcher behind Tyler Stephenson and Luke Maile.

The Reds are planning to carry three catchers on their Opening Day roster, which means that both Casali and Luke Maile will make the team as backups behind Tyler Stephenson, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Not only that, but with Stephenson getting a lot of his playing time at first base or DH, Casali and Maile will get multiple starts a week each. The current plan is for Stephenson to start four of every 10 games at catcher.