MLB Player News
-
Willson Contreras C | BOS
Red Sox's Willson Contreras: Headed to Boston
St. Louis traded Contreras (shoulder) to the Red Sox on Sunday for a package that includes pitcher Hunter Dobbins (knee), Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
Contreras spent the past three seasons with St. Louis after beginning his career with seven campaigns as a Cub. He transitioned to first base full time last year, with all 120 of his appearances in the field coming at that position after he spent his first nine seasons primarily as a catcher. Contreras reportedly informed Cardinals president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom in September that he was unwilling to waive his no-trade clause, but clearly the 33-year-old has since had a change of heart. He'll fill a considerable gap at first base for the Red Sox, as they lost Abraham Toro to free agency Friday and DFA'd Nathaniel Lowe in November, leaving only the oft-injured Triston Casas (knee) to compete for at-bats. Contreras' loss of catcher eligibility reduces his fantasy appeal considerably, but he showed in his final season in St. Louis that he can still be moderately productive, slashing .257/.344/.447 with 20 home runs, 80 RBI, 70 runs and five stolen bases over 562 plate appearances. He ended the campaign on the IL due to a right shoulder strain, though the injury isn't expected to impact his readiness for spring training.
-
Rays' Caden Bodine: Dealt to Tampa Bay
The Rays acquired Bodine, Slater de Brun, Michael Forret and Austin Overn from the Orioles in exchange for Shane Baz on Friday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
The 22-year-old Bodine was selected 30th overall during the 2025 First-Year Player Draft by Baltimore and will now change organizations after just one professional season. He had a .757 OPS in 11 games for Single-A Delmarva in 2025 and should begin 2026 in the lower minors for Tampa Bay.
-
Maverick Handley C | BAL
Orioles' Maverick Handley: Outrighted to Triple-A
The Orioles outrighted Handley to Triple-A Norfolk on Wednesday, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.
Handley was removed from the 40-man roster last week, but he has cleared waivers and will remain in the organization as catching depth. The 27-year-old went just 3-for-41 at the dish during his time in the majors in 2025.
-
Andrew Knizner C | SEA
Mariners' Andrew Knizner: Gets MLB deal from Seattle
The Mariners signed Knizner to a one-year contract Tuesday.
Knizner saw 88 plate appearances this past season with the Giants, putting up a .598 OPS. A career .211/.281/.316 hitter over parts of seven big-league seasons, Knizner is poised to open the 2026 season as the Mariners' backup catcher behind star Cal Raleigh.
-
Salvador Perez C | KC
Royals' Salvador Perez: Injures thumb in winter ball
Perez suffered a left thumb injury Sunday while playing in the Venezuelan Winter League, Al Son de la LVBP reports.
Perez posted a video on Instagram of himself working out and he didn't seem to be overly affected by the injury, so it seems to be a day-to-day situation that shouldn't affect his availability for spring training. The 35-year-old Perez has gone 6-for-29 with two home runs for Leones del Caracas in winter ball thus far.
-
Danny Jansen C | TEX
Rangers' Danny Jansen: Signs with Rangers
Jansen signed a two-year, $14.5 million contract with the Rangers on Friday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.
Following a poor 2024 campaign, Jansen looked more like his usual self in '25, slashing .215/.321/.399 with 14 homers, 36 RBI and 38 runs scored across 337 regular-season plate appearances between Tampa Bay and Milwaukee. His return to form was enough to draw a multi-year commitment from Texas, where the 30-year-old will now compete with Kyle Higashioka for starting reps behind the plate.
-
Maverick Handley C | BAL
Orioles' Maverick Handley: Designated for assignment
The Orioles designated Handley for assignment Thursday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.
Handley will lose his place on the 40-man roster in order to make room for Pete Alonso, whose signing became official Thursday. Handley went 3-for-41 (.073) in the majors this past season but slashed a more respectable .258/.373/.367 over 154 plate appearances at Triple-A Norfolk.
-
Drew Romo C | CHW
Orioles' Drew Romo: Designated for assignment
The Orioles designated Romo for assignment Wednesday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.
The move frees a spot on the 40-man roster for Josh Walker, who was claimed off waivers. Romo was a waiver claim himself just last week, and he'll now go through the waivers process again. The switch-hitting catcher is 9-for-54 at the plate during his brief time in the majors.
-
Ben Rice 1B | NYY
Yankees' Ben Rice: Will play 'a lot' versus lefties
Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Wednesday that he expects Rice to play "a lot" against left-handed pitchers in 2026, Greg Joyce of the New York Post reports.
The left-handed-hitting Rice's playing time against southpaws in 2025 was limited, though that was due in large part to Paul Goldschmidt's effectiveness versus lefties. Rice hit only .208 over 119 regular-season plate appearances against left-handers this past season, but he slugged seven home runs while boasting a .481 slugging percentage in those matchups. Heading into his age-27 season, Rice will be the Yankees' primary first baseman in 2026, and he could get an opportunity to be an everyday player.
-
Sebastian Rivero C | LAA
Angels' Sebastian Rivero: Back with Angels on MiLB pact
The Angels re-signed Rivero to a minor-league contract Tuesday, Taylor Blake Ward of The Sporting Tribune reports.
Rivero was non-tendered by the Halos last month but is back with the club on a minor-league pact. He's hit .172/.226/.212 over 45 games at the big-league level and will give the Angels some experienced catching depth at Triple-A Salt Lake.