MLB Player News

Cartaya was added to the Dodgers' 40-man roster Tuesday, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports.

Cartaya is one of the top catching prospects in baseball, so it's no surprise Los Angeles opted to shield him from the upcoming Rule 5 draft. The 21-year-old spent most of 2022 at High-A Great Lakes and posted a .251/.379/.476 slash line with 13 home runs and 41 RBI in 62 games.

The Royals selected Fermin's contract Tuesday.

He made his big-league debut this past season, but only played in three games. The 27-year-old catcher will serve as Kansas City's third catcher on the depth chart. He hit .270/.365/.480 with 15 home runs in 87 games at Triple-A.

Maldonado underwent surgery Tuesday to repair a sports hernia, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Maldonado played through the injury late in the year, though you wouldn't necessarily be able to tell based on his numbers. His 85 wRC+ in the second half wasn't a strong mark, though it was much better than his 61 wRC+ in the first half. The defense-first catcher is expected to be fully recovered from the procedure in time for spring training in 2023.

Barrera rejected an outright assignment to Triple-A Rochester and elected free agency Friday, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

Barrera was removed from the Nationals' 40-man roster Thursday and will test free agency rather than report to Triple-A. The 28-year-old played in 19 big-league games last season and had a .180/.212/.200 slash line in 53 plate appearances.

Delay cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday, Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic reports.

Delay played in 57 games for Pittsburgh last season but won't retain his spot on the 40-man roster. It was the 27-year-old's first taste of the big leagues, and he had a .213/.265/.271 slash line with one home run, 11 RBI and 17 runs.

Collins rejected an outright assignment to Triple-A Indianapolis and elected free agency Thursday, Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic reports.

Collins was claimed off waivers by the Pirates in September but won't stick with the team through the offseason. He played in 36 games between Toronto and Pittsburgh last season and had a .155/.231/.320 slash line with four home runs and 11 RBI in 108 plate appearances.

Barrera cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Rochester on Thursday, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

Barrera served as a reserve catcher for Washington at times in 2022 and went 9-for-50 in 19 games. He won't stick on the 40-man roster through the offseason and is likely to open 2023 back at Triple-A.

Rogers (elbow) recently started a throwing progression and is currently playing catch from up to 60 feet, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Rogers, who underwent Tommy John surgery on his right elbow in September 2021, is aiming to be a full participant for spring training. He was already cleared for full hitting work shortly after the All-Star break this past season, but because he's regarded as a defense-first catcher, he wouldn't have offered much value as a designated hitter if the Tigers chose to activate him from the 60-day injured list. Expect the Tigers to reinstate him from the IL and tender him a 2023 contract before the Nov. 18 deadline, and if all goes well this offseason as he advances through his throwing progression, Rogers could be a candidate to make the Opening Day roster. With Tucker Barnhart becoming a free agent this winter, Eric Haase currently sits atop the Tigers' depth chart at catcher.

The Brewers reinstated Jackson (wrist) from the 60-day injured list Wednesday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

The transaction makes Jackson one of three catchers on the 40-man roster, joining Victor Caratini and Mario Feliciano. With Omar Narvaez ticketed for free agency, Milwaukee will likely look to re-sign him or add another experienced option behind the plate, so Jackson is far from a lock to break camp with Milwaukee in 2023. Before he was shut down in late August with left wrist inflammation, Jackson appeared in just five games for Milwaukee and instead saw most of his action at Triple-A Nashville, where he posted a .701 OPS over 119 plate appearances.

Gallagher rejected his outright assignment to Triple-A Norfolk on Tuesday and elected free agency, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Gallagher was claimed off waivers by the Orioles in September but won't remain with the organization through the offseason. He never saw the field in Baltimore but appeared in 18 games earlier in the year for Kansas City and went 9-for-42 with no home runs and five RBI.