Andrew Knizner

The expectation is that the 31-year-old backstop will refuse the assignment and elect free agency, though that hasn’t happened yet. Knizner appeared in 29 games for the Giants in 2026, slashing .219/.288/.356 with a pair of home runs and four RBI in 80 plate appearances. He’ll have no problem latching on somewhere as extra catching depth if he decides to hit the open market.

Knizner latches on with San Francisco as a backup behind Drew Cavanaugh for the final two months of the season after Daniel Susac hit the injured list with fractured kneecap earlier this week. The well-traveled 31-year-old hit free agency after opting out of his minor league deal with the White Sox last week. He hasn’t appeared in the majors since getting into 33 games for the Giants last year.

The 31-year-old backstop had an opt-out clause in his minor league deal with the Red Sox and was likely frustrated that the club acquired extra catching depth at the trade deadline rather than giving him an opportunity, so he’ll see what else is out there.

Knizner opted out of his deal with the Rockies after hitting .279/.371/.590 in Triple-A Albuquerque. The 31-year-old backstop will provide some depth behind the plate in the minors for now, but there’s a decent shot he’ll get a chance to show what he can do with Boston before the summer comes to a close.

The 31-year-old backstop was signed to a minor league deal at the start of April. He hit a terrific .279/.371/.590 with 10 homers and 22 RBI in 140 plate appearances at Triple-A Albuquerque. Given the overall lack of quality catching depth around the league, he shouldn’t be out of work for long.

Knizner bolsters Colorado’s catching depth behind starter Hunter Goodman and caddy Brett Sullivan. The 31-year-old backstop was in camp with the Mariners this spring and wound up losing the backup job to veteran Mitch Garver.

Knizner will head out to the open market after the Mariners decided to roll with veteran Mitch Garver as Cal Raleigh’s primary caddy this spring. The 31-year-old backstop got into 33 games for the Giants last year. He should be able to latch on somewhere as emergency catching depth.

It’s worth $1 million, according to MLB.com’s Daniel Kramer. Knizner secures a big-league deal after hitting .221/.299/.299 in 33 games for the Giants last season. Somewhat interesting is that he had the best defensive numbers of his career during that span. He also struck out at half of his career rate (10/7 K/BB in 88 plate appearances). He’s the clear backup to Cal Raleigh at the moment, though the Mariners still might have interest in a Mitch Garver reunion if the price proves right.

The 30-year-old was non-tendered by the Giants back in November after slashing a woeful .221/.299/.299 with one home run and five RBI in 88 games during the 2025 campaign. If it winds up being a major league deal, Knizner would be the favorite to open the season as the understudy to Cal Raleigh.

Knizner was officially cut loose by San Francisco after being designated for assignment earlier on Friday to make room for trade acquisition Joey Wiemer. The 30-year-old backstop should be able to latch on as emergency catching depth somewhere this offseason.

The Giants needed to clear a spot on their 40-man roster after acquiring Joey Wiemer on Friday and it looks like Knizner drew the short straw this time around. The 30-year-old backstop hit just .221/.299/.299 with one homer and five RBI in 88 plate appearances with the Giants during the 2025 season.