MLB Player News

The Tigers exercised Barnhart's $7.75 million club option for 2022 on Sunday.

As expected, the Tigers will keep Barnhart for 2022 after acquiring him from Cincinnati on Wednesday. Though he lacks the offensive potential of Eric Haase, Barnhart is touted for his defense and figures to be Detroit's primary catching option next season. The 30-year-old is a competent hitter himself, having slashed .247/.317/.368 with seven home runs and 48 RBI in 2021.

Maile refused his outright assignment to Triple-A Nashville by the Brewers on Friday and elected free agency, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.

Maile spent most of 2021 at Nashville and posted a .663 OPS, but he also appeared in 15 games for the Brewers and went 9-for-30 with four doubles and three RBI. The 30-year-old may need to settle for a minor-league deal this offseason.

Cleveland has declined Perez's $7 million option for 2022, making him a free agent, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

The buyout of Perez's contract costs Cleveland $450,000, but it's a price it is willing to pay to avoid paying $7 million to a player who slashed .149/.245/.319 in 44 games. The 32-year-old is a solid defensive catcher and figures to find a new home in free agency, although the poor offensive numbers suggest his days as a starter are over.

Stephenson currently resides atop the Reds' depth chart at catcher after Cincinnati dealt Tucker Barnhart to the Tigers on Wednesday, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Though he lacks the defensive polish of Barnhart, a two-time Gold Glove winner, Stephenson should represent a significant upgrade offensively from the Reds' long-standing No. 1 backstop. Even while slotting second on the depth chart for most of last season, Stephenson still earned himself regular starts at Barnhart's expense against left-handed pitching, typically slotting into the heart of the lineup on those occasions. Overall, Stephenson slashed .286/.366/.431 with 10 home runs, 56 runs and 45 RBI, with his 111 wRC+ ranking fourth among the 15 catcher-eligible players that accrued at least 400 plate appearances. The Reds will presumably add another defensive-minded veteran catcher to the roster this offseason, but in the likely event he faces lesser competition than Barnhart and receives an uptick in playing time in 2022, the 25-year-old Stephenson could have a legitimate case for being viewed as a top-five fantasy option at the position.

Barnhart was traded from the Reds to the Tigers in exchange for infielder Nick Quintana on Wednesday, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

The 30-year-old appeared in 116 games for Cincinnati in 2021 and slashed .247/.317/.368 with seven home runs, 48 RBI and 41 runs during that time. After spending the first eight seasons of his career with the Reds, he's likely in line to serve as Detroit's primary catcher in 2022, even though Eric Haase hit 22 home runs in 2021. Barnhart has a $7.75 million team option for 2022, and the Tigers intend to exercise it, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network.

Stubbs was added to the Astros' World Series roster Saturday, Jake Kaplan of The Athletic reports.

Stubbs will replace Jason Castro, who had to be removed from the roster due to COVID-19 protocols. He's likely to be limited to a bench role behind Martin Maldonado.

D'Arnaud went 2-for-4 with a solo homer in Friday's World Series Game 3 win over the Astros.

D'Arnaud committed a throwing error on a stolen-base attempt in the top of the eighth, allowing the would-be tying run to reach third base. He proved why Atlanta signed him to a two-year extension in August (despite his poor arm) in the bottom of the frame, hitting a solo shot off Kendall Graveman. He's now homered in two consecutive games.

Wynns cleared waivers and elected free agency Monday, Steve Melewski of MASNSports.com reports.

Wynns hit just .185/.232/.308 in 45 games this season. As a 30-year-old with a career 55 wRC+ in 115 games at the major-league level, he'll presumably be looking for a minor-league deal this winter.

Vazquez will sit for Game 6 of the ALCS against the Astros on Friday, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Vazquez has hit .290/.313/.419 with one homer through 10 playoff games. Kevin Plawecki will take over behind the plate Friday, catching Nathan Eovaldi.

Wynns was outrighted off the Orioles' 40-man roster Friday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Wynns played a minor role for the Orioles this season, appearing in 45 games. The 30-year-old has done little thus far in his career to suggest that he's anything other than a third catcher, as he owns a .216/.255/.326 slash line in 115 career games.