Tyler Heineman C

Heineman signed a minor-league contract with the Cardinals on Friday as a non-roster invitee.

Heineman appeared in 15 major-league contests with the Giants during the 2020 season, but he failed to generate much production, slashing .190/.292/.214 with a double and one RBI. The 29-year-old will get to work with the major-league coaching staff during spring training as he prepares to join his third team in as many seasons.

The Giants declared Heineman a free agent Sunday, Chris Hilburn-Trenkle of Baseball America reports.

Heineman served as the Giants' Opening Day catcher, but he was unseated by Chadwick Tromp for the top job by midseason before both backstops fell behind top prospect Joey Bart in the pecking order. With Buster Posey (personal) poised to return from the restricted list to join Bart as the Giants' catching options in 2021, San Francisco outrighted Heineman off the 40-man roster over the weekend. He'll now be free to join another organization that's looking to shore up its depth behind the dish.

Heineman was outrighted to Triple-A Sacramento on Sunday, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

The Giants will bump Heineman off the 40-man roster as free agency officially opens. The 29-year-old backstop has a .208 average and one home run in 62 MLB plate appearances over the past two seasons.

Heineman was recalled from the alternate training site Tuesday.

The 29-year-old will rejoin the Giants for the closing stretch of the season with the placement of Chadwick Tromp (shoulder) on the injured list. Heineman will serve as the team's secondary catcher behind rookie Joey Bart.

Heineman was optioned to San Francisco's alternate camp site Thursday, Kerry Crowley of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Heineman's move to the team's satellite camp corresponds with top prospect Joey Bart's move to the majors. The backstop appeared in 13 games during his time with the Giants and hit .195 with a 4:6 BB:K.

Heineman is not in the lineup Friday against the Dodgers, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Heineman started four of the Giants' first five games behind the plate, but he's since started just four of the team's last 10 contests. Chadwick Tromp remains the starting backstop Friday.

Heineman is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Rockies.

Heineman operated as the Giants' clear No. 1 catcher during the July portion of the team's schedule, but he's settled into more a timeshare behind the plate since Chadwick Tromp replaced Rob Brantly as the other backstop on the active roster. Tromp has offered more fantasy-friendly numbers thus far than Heineman, who is slashing .222/.323/.259 with one-extra base through 31 plate appearances.

Heineman isn't in the lineup Monday against the Rockies.

Heineman had alternated starts with Chadwick Tromp at catcher over the past few days. However, Tromp will start behind the dish for the second consecutive game Monday, batting eighth.

Heineman is not in the lineup Sunday against the Rangers, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Heineman and Chadwick Tromp have alternated starts over the past five games, and that trend continues after Heineman started Saturday and went 1-for-3 with a run scored and a double.

Heineman is not in the lineup Friday against the Rangers, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Heineman is the clear primary catcher in San Francisco through the first eight games. He's started five times, with Rob Brantly starting once and Chadwick Tromp, who starts Friday, getting the nod twice.

Heineman is not starting Wednesday against the Padres, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Heineman will give way to Chadwick Tromp behind the dish Wednesday after starting each of the past three games. In four appearances this season, Heineman is 5-for-13 with a pair of runs scored and a 2:2 BB:K.

Heineman isn't in the lineup for Friday's game against the Dodgers, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Heineman started in the Giants' season opener Thursday, but he'll give way to Rob Brantly behind the plate as the two are expected to have a timeshare this season. Brantly is batting ninth in Friday's contest.

The Giants selected Heineman's contract Thursday.

Heineman essentially clinched a roster spot earlier this month when Buster Posey opted out of the 2020 season, so the Giants' decision to select his contract was fully expected. He's expected to split time behind the dish with Rob Brantly to begin the season, but a hot start offensively could quickly allow Heineman to establish himself as the clear No. 1 option.

Heineman is competing with Rob Brantly and Chadwick Tromp for the Giants' top catching job in the wake of Buster Posey's decision last week to opt out of the 2020 season, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

According to Pavlovic, Heineman may have emerged as the frontrunner in the three-man competition for the job, as manager Gabe Kapler praised the backstop after he was able to lay down a bunt and steal third base during Tuesday's intrasquad game. With only 12 career plate appearances in the majors and a career .285/.363/.416 slash line over parts of eight seasons in the minors, the 29-year-old Heineman lacks a flashy fantasy profile, but he could have value in an NL-only or deeper two-catcher league if he breaks camp as the Giants' No. 1 option behind the dish.

Heineman made the Giants' 60-man roster.

He was in camp on a minor-league deal, but with Aramis Garcia (hip) out through at least mid-August, Heineman is now competing with Rob Brantly (also on a minor-league deal) to be Buster Posey's backup. Joey Bart is also on the 60-man roster but is not expected to open the season in the majors.

Heineman was competing with Rob Brantly for the backup catching job before spring training was suspended, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Expected backup catcher Aramis Garcia underwent labrum surgery on his hip in early February and is out at least six months , leaving the Giants with a hole behind starter Buster Posey. Heineman didn't make a great case in spring training with a .489 OPS in 11 games, though Brantly also struggled in his own right.

Heineman signed a minor-league contract with the Giants on Monday, which includes an invitation to spring training Grant Brisbee of The Athletic reports.

Heineman made his major-league debut for the Marlins in September, but he only appeared in five games. He was very effective at the Triple-A level last year, hitting .336/.400/.590 with 13 home runs and four stolen bases over 73 games. The 28-year-old will be in big-league camp, but he'll likely need some more time in the minors before gaining a regular major-league roster spot.

Heineman was outrighted to Triple-A New Orleans on Wednesday, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

The 28-year-old appeared in just five games after being promoted to the majors, recording a .909 OPS with one home run. Heineman amassed a .336/.400/.590 slash line with 13 home runs and 38 RBI in 73 games at the Triple-A level last season.

Heineman had his contract selected from Triple-A New Orleans on Tuesday.

Heineman played 48 games with New Orleans this season, slashing .341/.397/.622 with 10 home runs and 25 RBI. He'll have a chance to make his major-league debut after spending the last eight years in the minors.

Heineman was traded by the Astros to the Brewers on Sunday for a player to be named later or cash considerations.

The catcher had been sent down to Houston's minor league camp on March 19, and the minors is where he will report when he joins the Brewers. Heineman didn't do much in big league camp with the Astros this spring, recording just one hit in 11 at-bats, and will likely open the season with Triple-A Colorado Springs.