MLB Player News

With the Cubs adding Carson Kelly earlier in the offseason, Amaya may have to settle for a smaller role behind the plate, Jordan Bastian and Adam McCalvy of MLB.com report.

Amaya went from 53 games played as a rookie in 2023 to 117 games last year, but he's yet to really make his mark at the plate, as he posted an OPS below .700 in each of the two seasons. Kelly also hasn't been a consistent offensive threat at the MLB level, though the 30-year-old does at least give the Cubs a veteran presence at catcher. Both players may end up splitting time until one of them seizes a larger role. The situation dampens Amaya's 2025 fantasy outlook to a degree, but he could still emerge as a useful player in his age-26 season if he starts to hit like he did in the upper levels of the minors in 2022 and 2023.

Contreras signed a one-year, $6 million contract with the Brewers on Friday to avoid arbitration, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

The new deal also includes a $12 million club option for 2026. Contreras set new career highs last year with 23 homers and 92 RBI while slashing .281/.365/.466 across 679 regular-season plate appearances. The two-time All-Star is expected to continue serving as Milwaukee's everyday catcher in 2025, though he may occasionally move into the DH spot to get Eric Haase some reps behind the dish.

Diaz signed a one-year, $3.5 million contract with the Padres on Tuesday, Daniel Alvarez-Montes of ElExtraBase.com reports.

Diaz joined the Padres on a minor-league deal in late August after being released by the Rockies. After being promoted, the former All-Star appeared in 24 games for San Diego, but he recorded just four hits across 21 at-bats. He became the team's number two catcher behind Kyle Higashioka following Luis Campusano's demotion to Triple-A El Paso in September. Diaz would remain the backup catcher for the postseason roster. With Higashioka now on the Rangers, Diaz has a shot to be in the Opening Day lineup for the Padres. His new contract includes a mutual option for 2026 and is pending a physical.

The Marlins designated Pereda for assignment Tuesday, Daniel Alvarez-Montes of ElExtraBase.com reports.

The transaction clears a spot on the 40-man roster for waiver claim Connor Gillispie. Pereda, 28, made his major-league debut in 2024, posting a .481 OPS over 20 contests. The catcher could clear waivers and remain in the organization.

The Cubs signed McGuire to a minor-league contract Wednesday, Aram Leighton of Just Baseball reports.

McGuire, who will turn 30 in March, sports a career .252/.300/.364 batting line over parts of seven major-league seasons. The veteran backstop will likely begin the 2025 campaign at Triple-A Iowa as catching depth.

Atlanta signed Casali to a minor-league contract Jan. 17 that includes an invitation to spring training, Aram Leighton of Just Baseball reports.

Atlanta has an opening at backup catcher behind Sean Murphy that Casali could potentially fill. The 36-year-old appeared in 41 games for the Giants in 2024, putting up a .543 OPS with one home run.

Knizner signed a minor-league contract with the Nationals on Friday and received an invitation to spring training, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

Knizner spent the majority of last season with the Rangers, slashing just .167/.183/.211 over 93 plate appearances before being DFA'd in August. He posted a .743 OPS with the Diamondbacks' Triple-A affiliate to close the season and will likely report to Triple-A Rochester to begin the 2025 campaign.

The Reds re-signed Wynns (shoulder) to a minor-league contract Jan. 13.

Wynns, 34, spent most of the 2024 season at Triple-A Louisville and suffered a season-ending teres major tear in his right shoulder in late July during one of his seven games with the Reds. It's not clear whether he'll be healthy for the start of spring training, but either way he's slated to begin 2025 at Louisville.

The Giants designated Sabol for assignment Saturday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

The move makes room on the Giants' 40-man roster for Justin Verlander, whose one-year, $15 million contract was officially signed Saturday. Sabol spent most of the 2024 regular season with Triple-A Sacramento, where he slashed .246/.340/.388 with 11 stolen bases, 11 home runs and 54 RBI across 403 plate appearances. He appeared in 11 regular-season games with the Giants, going 10-for-32 with five walks, two doubles and one RBI.

The Diamondbacks claimed Pinto off waivers from the Orioles on Friday, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Pinto has slashed .231/.263/.404 with 10 homers over 82 games at the big-league level but spent most of 2024 at Triple-A Durham in the Rays organization. He is out of minor-league options, so the Diamondbacks will need to carry him on the Opening Day roster or attempt to pass him through waivers.