MLB Player News

Leon was traded to the Indians on Monday in exchange for Adenys Bautista.

Leon served as the backup catcher for the Red Sox, and he will likely take on a similar role for the Indians behind Roberto Perez (ankle), who had surgery in October but is expected to be ready for spring training. Over 65 games in 2019, Leon hit .192/.251/.297 with just five home runs and 19 RBI.

Gomes agreed to a two-year, $10 million contract with the Nationals on Wednesday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

The Nationals declined the 32-year-old's $9 million club option for 2020 earlier this month but will bring him back into the fold at a more affordable price. Gomes and Kurt Suzuki are primed for another season splitting catching duties in Washington. Gomes' heavy splits (.653 OPS vs. RHP and .878 OPS vs. LHP) figure to put him on the short side of the catching platoon.

McCann will still have a role with the White Sox following the signing of Yasmani Grandal, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.

McCann hit an unexpectedly strong .273/.328/.460 and made the All-Star team in 2019, though Grandal deservedly has the greater reputation between the pair. It would be a surprise to see McCann match his career-high 476 plate appearances in the upcoming season, but the White Sox will look to keep him as involved as possible, utilizing the designated hitter spot frequently for both catchers.

Perez signed a minor-league contract with Oakland on Monday, which includes an invitation to spring training.

Perez will open spring with the big-league club, though he spent the majority of the 2019 campaign at Double-A Bowie, where he slashed .251/.302/.434 with 14 homers and 60 RBI in 94 games.

D'Arnaud signed a two-year, $16 million deal with the Braves on Sunday.

The 29-year-old had a tumultuous start to 2019 and went 2-for-23 in 10 games before being released by the Mets in May, but he eventually ended up with the Rays and put together a quality season. D'Arnaud should serve as Atlanta's primary catcher in 2020, but Tyler Flowers remains a solid No. 2 option behind the plate and should still see semi-regular starts. D'Arnaud had a .263/.323/.459 slash line with 16 home runs and 67 RBI in 92 games with the Rays last season.

Grandal signed a four-year, $73 million contract with the White Sox on Thursday.

Grandal hit 28 home runs with an .848 OPS on a one-year deal with the Brewers in 2019, and the risk of a short-term contract last year paid off with a long-term deal with the White Sox that is the largest in franchise history. The 31-year-old should benefit from hitter-friendly Guaranteed Rate Field as he figures to be a key contributor in the White Sox's lineup. Daniel Palka was designated for assignment in a corresponding move.

Amaya was added to the 40-man roster by the Cubs on Wednesday.

The 20-year-old signed as a glove-first catcher in 2015 but has performed well enough to warrant protection from the Rule 5 draft. Amaya spent 2019 at High-A Myrtle Beach and had a .235/.351/.402 slash line with 11 home runs and 24 doubles in 99 games.

Stephenson was added to the Reds' 40-man roster Wednesday.

This move was a lock on the final day to protect prospects from the Rule 5 draft. Stephenson is clearly the catcher of the future in Cincinnati, but he will need to head to Triple-A for at least a month or two before making his big-league debut. He hit .285/.372/.410 with a 10.2 percent walk rate, 16.5 percent strikeout rate and six home runs in 89 games at Double-A and made up for lost time with 13 games in the Arizona Fall League. Stephenson has big raw power and is patient at the dish, which will hopefully make up for the fact that he isn't the greatest defensive catcher.

Contreras' contract was selected by the Braves on Tuesday.

Although the 21-year-old was effective in the minors last season, his addition to the 40-man roster is more so to protect him from the Rule 5 draft rather than an indication of his readiness to contribute. In 110 games between the High-A and Double-A levels last season, Contreras hit .255/.315/.354 with six home runs and 39 RBI.

Stassi (hip) may not be ready to go by Opening Day, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Stassi underwent a hip procedure in late September that was expected to keep him out for 4-to-6 months. The back end of that window should have had him ready to go right around Opening Day, but he appears to be potentially a bit behind schedule since his availability for the start of the season is now in doubt.