MLB Player News

Monell signed a contract with the NC Dinos of the Korean Baseball Organization, Chris Cotillo of SB Nation reports.

The 30-year-old backstop has bounced around the minor leagues in his career, although he's never been able to stick at the major league level. Monell will look to boost his stock with some time in the hitter-friendly KBO for the next season, likely with the hopes of creating some intrigue for next year's offseason.

Maile is expected to platoon with Curt Casali at catcher until the newly acquired Wilson Ramos (knee) is healthy.

The 25-year-old backstop slashed .227/.252/.361 with three homers and 15 RBI over 126 plate appearances at the big league level in 2016. Those numbers represented a notable improvement over his 2015 cup of coffee, which consisted of a scant 35 plate appearances and saw Maile generate a .171/.171/.257 line. With Ramos not expected back until late May at the earliest, Maile figures to see a decent amount of playing time while platooning with Casali to open the season, with his exact role after Ramos' return likely to be largely predicated on how he acquits himself during that period.

Casali is expected to platoon with Luke Maile at catcher until the newly acquired Wilson Ramos (knee) is healthy.

Despite slashing .186/.273/.336 over 256 plate appearances last season at the big league level, Casali displayed a knack for making it count when he did make contact, rapping out 18 extra-base hits (10 homers) and tallying 25 RBI. His bloated 32 percent strikeout rate certainly needs improvement, but Casali's solid work behind the plate and occasional pop is likely to keep him involved even after Ramos is healthy enough to play, which is likely to be in late May or early June. In the interim, he figures to platoon with Luke Maile to begin the 2017 campaign.

The Padres declined to tender Sanchez a contract Friday, making him a free agent, Dennis Lin of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Sanchez was non-tendered for the second straight offseason. He fared well in a small sample with San Diego last year, going 12-for-42 with three homers, but he's a .241/.278/.354 career hitter. The 27-year-old had some concussion issues a few years ago but there have been no reports of head injuries in recent seasons.

Sanchez signed a minor league deal with the Angels on Friday, Matt Eddy of Baseball America reports.

Sanchez split the 2016 season in the Blue Jays and Giants' organizations, struggling to stay above the Mendoza Line in Triple-A at both stops. He's had a few brief stints in the majors, but at this point the 28-year-old figures to serve primarily as organizational depth behind the plate and will likely open the season back at Triple-A.

Gosewisch and the Braves agreed to a one-year deal on Wednesday and avoided arbitration.

He was claimed off waivers by the Braves last week, so they were obviously committed to coming to terms with him for the 2017 season. Look for him to jockey with Anthony Recker in spring training for the backup catching duties behind Tyler Flowers.

Ohlman signed a minor league contract with Toronto on Monday, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet reports.

The 25-year-old catcher also received an invite to join the Jays for spring training. Ohlman hit .287 with seven homers and 44 RBI between two of St. Louis' minor league affiliates in 2016.

Jackson was traded to the Braves on Monday, Jon Morosi of Fox Sports reports.

Jackson hit .243 and recorded 11 home runs to go along with 55 RBI through 92 games with the Mariners single-A minor league affiliate in 2016. The Mariners get Rob Whalen and Max Povse in return. The 20-year-old Jackson was considered one of the Mariners higher prospects at the time of the trade.

Pena signed a minor league contract with the White Sox on Monday, MLB.com's Brian McTaggart reports.

He was drafted in 2010 by the Astros and reached Triple-A last season for the first time in his career. Omar Narvaez, Kevan Smith and Alfredo Gonzalez are all likely ahead of Pena on the organizational depth chart, but it is a very weak position for the White Sox, so playing time could become available. That said, he has never posted a wRC+ above 90 in seven minor league seasons, so the offensive upside is very limited.

Caratini was added to the Cubs' 40-man roster on Friday.

Caratini registered a solid season with Double-A Tennessee in 2016, posting a .291/.375/.405 line with six homers. He probably isn't seeing regular playing time in the majors anytime soon with Willson Contreras ahead of him, but he's looked decent enough that the Cubs chose to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.