MLB Player News
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Reese McGuire C | MIL
Brewers' Reese McGuire: Goes to Milwaukee on NRI pact
The Brewers signed McGuire to a minor-league contract Wednesday that includes an invitation to spring training, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.
McGuire participated in 44 regular-season games for the Cubs in 2025, slashing .226/.245/.444 with nine home runs. The Brewers have an opening at backup catcher behind William Contreras, and there's a good chance McGuire wins that job.
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Moises Ballesteros C | CHC
Cubs' Moises Ballesteros: Greater opportunity awaits
Ballesteros has a clearer path to the Cubs' starting DH job as a result of the trade that sent Owen Caissie to the Marlins for Edward Cabrera, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.
Ballesteros acquitted himself quite well in 66 major-league plate appearances during the 2025 regular season, slashing .298/.394/.474 with two homers. His 13.6 BB rate and 18.2 K rate were particularly encouraging for a player making his debut as a 21-year-old. Ballesteros might get pushed into the strong-side of a platoon with Matt Shaw, who lost his starting third base job when the Cubs signed Alex Bregman.
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Riley Adams C | WAS
Nationals' Riley Adams: Designated for assignment
The Nationals designated Adams for assignment Thursday.
The 29-year-old backstop appeared in a career-high 83 games during the 2025 season but was a liability when holding a bat, as he slashed .186/.252/.308 across 286 plate appearances. With no need for five catchers on their 40-man roster, the Nationals will now move on from Adams in order to make room for Gus Varland (undisclosed), who was claimed off waivers from Arizona on Thursday.
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Tres Barrera C | WAS
Nationals' Tres Barrera: Back with Nationals as NRI
The Nationals signed Barrera to a minor-league contract Thursday that includes an invitation to spring training.
Barrera was drafted by the Nationals and broke into the big leagues with them. The 31-year-old catcher spent 2025 in the minors in the Rays organization and last saw action in the majors in 2023. Barrera will likely begin the 2026 season at Triple-A Rochester as catching depth.
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Ivan Herrera C | STL
Cardinals' Ivan Herrera: Begins throwing program
Herrera (elbow) was cleared to begin a throwing program earlier in January and is expected to begin hitting and defensive drills this week, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Herrera underwent surgery in November to remove bone spurs from his right elbow, an injury that limited him to designated-hitter duty in the final few months of the 2025 season. The 25-year-old is expected to be ready to roll for the start of spring training. Herrera will attempt to return to the catching position in 2026, though Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol indicated that the team's evaluation of Herrera at catcher will likely continue into the regular season. For fantasy purposes, Herrera will enter 2026 as utility-eligible only, but he could regain catcher eligibility early on.
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J.T. Realmuto C | PHI
Phillies' J.T. Realmuto: Back with Phils on three-year deal
The Phillies re-signed Realmuto to a three-year, $45 million contract Friday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.
The deal can max out at $60 million if Realmuto reaches all of his incentives. The backstop turns 35 in March and has been in a steady decline both offensively and defensively, finishing the 2025 campaign with a .257/.315/.384 batting line and 12 home runs over 134 regular-season contests. However, while Realmuto's best days are behind him, he remains a quality hitter compared to most catchers, still has a great throwing arm and is well-liked in the Phillies' clubhouse.
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Chuckie Robinson C | LAD
Dodgers' Chuckie Robinson: Signs with Dodgers
The Dodgers signed Robinson to a minor-league contract Dec. 18.
Robinson spent most of 2025 at the Triple-A level but did appear in one game with the Dodgers before being removed from their 40-man roster. The 31-year-old will give the organization some experienced catching depth at Triple-A Oklahoma City.
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Rene Pinto C | PHI
Phillies' Rene Pinto: Nets MiLB pact from Phillies
The Phillies signed Pinto to a minor-league contract Jan. 6.
Pinto slashed .231/.263/.404 during parts of three seasons with the Rays from 2022-2024. He spent the 2025 campaign in the minors split between the Blue Jays and Diamondbacks organizations, hitting .259/.309/.498 with 12 homers in 64 games. Pinto will provide the Phillies with some experienced catching depth.
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Freddy Fermin C | SD
Padres' Freddy Fermin: Avoids arbitration with San Diego
Fermin signed a one-year, $2.1 million contract with the Padres on Thursday to avoid arbitration.
Fermin was traded by the Royals to the Padres in late July, and across both clubs he posted a .636 OPS with one steal, 32 runs, 13 doubles, five home runs and 26 RBI over 347 plate appearances during the 2025 regular season. The 30-year-old projects to be the Padres' No. 1 catcher to begin 2026 while Luis Campusano serves as the backup.
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Gabriel Moreno C | ARI
Diamondbacks' Gabriel Moreno: Settles with Arizona
The Diamondbacks and Moreno avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $2.55 million contract Thursday, Francys Romero of BeisbolFR.com reports.
It's a nice raise for Moreno, who was eligible for salary arbitration for the first time. The catcher was limited to 83 games due to injury in 2025 but had his best offensive season, slashing .285/.353/.433 with nine home runs. Moreno -- who turns 26 in February -- has breakout potential in 2026 if he can stay healthy.