MLB Player News
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Ronny Hernandez C | CHW
Red Sox's Ronny Hernandez: Shipped to Boston
The White Sox traded Hernandez to the Red Sox on Tuesday in exchange for Chris Murphy, Chris Henrique of BostonSportsJournal.com reports.
Hernandez spent the entire 2025 season with the White Sox's Single-A affiliate, slashing .251/.344/.336 over 355 plate appearances. He could receive a bump up to High-A upon joining the Red Sox's farm system, but the 21-year-old backstop doesn't appear to be on the verge of making his MLB debut anytime soon.
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Thayron Liranzo C | DET
Tigers' Thayron Liranzo: Added for Rule 5 protection
The Tigers selected Liranzo's contract from Double-A Erie on Tuesday, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.
With that, Liranzo is now ineligible to be selected in next month's Rule 5 Draft. Liranzo endured a harsh dose of reality in his first go at the Double-A level in 2025, as he limped to a .206/.308/.351 slash line in 88 games. However, the Tigers clearly still believe that he will contribute eventually between catcher, first base and DH.
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Joe Mack C | MIA
Marlins' Joe Mack: Added to 40-man roster
The Marlins selected Mack's contract from Triple-A Jacksonville on Tuedsay.
Mack is one of Miami's top prospects, so it's no surprise the organization is protecting him from the Rule 5 Draft. The 22-year-old spent most of last season at Triple-A Jacksonville and had a .786 OPS with 18 homers and seven steals in 98 games.
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Dalton Rushing C | LAD
Dodgers' Dalton Rushing: Reps in outfield not ruled out
Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes indicated during last week's GM Meetings that the team hasn't ruled out giving Rushing some reps in the outfield, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.
Rushing has made a total of 32 starts in left field in the minors, but 37 of his 38 starts with the Dodgers in 2025 were at catcher and the other came at first base. Catcher and first base remain blocked with the big club, but the left-field job with the Dodgers is open. While it seems unlikely the Dodgers would commit to Rushing as their primary left fielder, the position offers the 24-year-old a potential path to playing time. Rushing struggled in a reserve role with the Dodgers this season, slashing just .204/.258/.324 with a 37.4 percent strikeout rate over 53 regular-season tilts.
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Ben Rortvedt C | CIN
Reds' Ben Rortvedt: Claimed off waivers by Reds
The Reds claimed Rortvedt off waivers from the Dodgers on Wednesday.
Rortvedt split 2025 between the Rays and Dodgers, collecting a .152/.240/.205 batting line over 44 regular-season contests. Per Kiley McDaniel of ESPN.com, Rortvedt had avoided arbitration with the Dodgers with a one-year, $1.25 million contract prior to being placed on waivers, and that salary will now be the Reds' responsibility. He does not have minor-league options remaining and the Reds already have Tyler Stephenson and Jose Trevino pegged as their catching duo in 2026, so it's unclear how Rortvedt fits into the picture for Cincinnati.
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Sean Murphy C | ATL
Braves' Sean Murphy: Better idea on timetable by January
Atlanta president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos said Wednesday that the team will have a better idea by January as to how far along Murphy (hip) is in his rehab, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.
Murphy had surgery in September to repair a right hip labral tear, an injury he admitted to dealing with off-and-on for the past three years. Atlanta is hopeful that Murphy will be ready to go for the start of next season, and if that's the case, it expects him to split catching and designated hitter duties with Drake Baldwin. Murphy has slashed a disappointing .197/.293/.384 while averaging only 83 games over the last two regular seasons, but he could bounce back in 2026, if healthy.
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Eliezer Alfonzo C | DET
Dodgers' Eliezer Alfonzo: Signs on with LA
Alfonzo agreed to a minor-league contract with the Dodgers on Monday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.
Alfonzo spent the majority of his 2025 campaign in the Tigers' organization, appearing in 57 games for Double-A Erie and eight for Triple-A Toledo. He slashed .247/.297/.322 with one home run, 34 RBI and 24 runs scored in 65 appearances across the two levels.
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Drake Baldwin C | ATL
Braves' Drake Baldwin: Takes home NL ROY Award
Baldwin was named the Jackie Robinson National League Rookie of the Year on Monday.
Baldwin won the award comfortably, receiving 21 of 30 first-place votes to beat out Cade Horton, who got nine first-place votes. Baldwin was a valuable bat for Atlanta throughout the 2025 campaign, slashing .274/.341/.469 with 19 home runs, 80 RBI and 56 runs scored in 124 games. He becomes the first catcher to win Rookie of the Year since 2010 when Buster Posey took home the hardware, per Grant McAuley of the Marietta Daily Journal.
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Brian Navarreto C | MIA
Brian Navarreto: Enters free agency
Navarreto elected free agency Saturday, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reports.
Navarreto spent the majority of the 2025 season at Triple-A Jacksonville, where he slashed .224/.300/.385 with 27 RBI and 22 runs scored across 180 plate appearances. The 30-year-old backstop will most likely sign another minor-league contract during the offseason.
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Austin Wynns C | ATH
Athletics' Austin Wynns: Lands deal with A's
Wynns (abdomen) signed a one-year contract worth $1.1 million with the A's on Thursday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.
Wynns was traded to the A's in early June, and he had a solid year in a reserve role by maintaining an .865 OPS across 110 plate appearances prior to suffering an abdominal strain. He's also a solid defender, so he should be a suitable No. 2 backstop behind Shea Langeliers in 2026.