MLB Player News

Pineda cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Rochester on Friday, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

Pineda is no longer on the Nationals' 40-man roster but will retain a spot in the organization. The 23-year-old catcher slashed just .152/.215/.212 across 107 plate appearances at Double-A Harrisburg in 2023.

The Red Sox acquired Heineman from the Mets on Friday in exchange for cash considerations, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports.

Heineman had been claimed off waivers by the Mets earlier this offseason but was designated for assignment earlier this week. The 32-year-old catcher has an option year remaining and seems likely to begin 2024 at Triple-A Worcester.

The Mets designated Heineman for assignment Tuesday, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.

Heineman will lose his spot on the 40-man roster to Adam Ottavino, whose signing was made official Tuesday. Heineman slashed .237/.383/.316 in 47 plate appearances between the Pirates and Blue Jays last season, and he logged similar numbers with the teams' Triple-A affiliates.

Nunez signed a minor-league contract with the Guardians on Tuesday that includes an invitation to spring training.

Nunez will face an uphill battle to make the Opening Day roster but will give the Guardians another catcher in camp. The 29-year-old has a career .653 OPS over parts of three big-league campaigns.

Serven was outrighted to Triple-A Buffalo on Monday.

The Blue Jays quietly designated Serven for assignment and will send him to Triple-A now that he's passed through waivers. He was claimed by Toronto in mid-January and figures to serve as organizational depth at catcher.

The Nationals designated Pineda for assignment Saturday, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

Pineda will lose his spot on the 40-man roster to make room for Joey Gallo, whose signing became official Saturday. Pineda played in four games for the Nationals in 2022, but the 23-year-old backstop didn't make it past Double-A Harrisburg in 2023, where he slashed just .152/.215/.212 across 107 plate appearances. He will likely return to Double-A to begin 2024.

Leon signed a minor-league contract with the Royals on Wednesday that includes an invitation to spring training.

Leon has Salvador Perez and Freddy Fermin ahead of him on the depth chart, so he'll begin the 2024 season at Triple-A Omaha unless the Royals opt to carry three catchers. Slated to turn 35 in March, Leon got into 21 games with the Rangers in 2023, going just 6-for-41 at the plate.

The Blue Jays claimed Serven off waivers from the Cubs on Tuesday, Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic reports.

Serven has gone from the Rockies to the Cubs and now to the Blue Jays via waivers this month. The 28-year-old has slashed just .195/.248/.314 over 228 plate appearances at the major-league level, even as his home games have been played at Coors Field. Serven does have options remaining and, if he's still with the Blue Jays come Opening Day, he seems likely to be assigned to their Triple-A affiliate in Buffalo.

Okey signed a minor-league contract with the Dodgers on Jan. 3.

Okey slashed .281/.345/.414 with 26 RBI across 235 plate appearances last season with the Angels' Triple-A affiliate. Now with the Dodgers, the 29-year-old backstop will provide organizational depth and will only potentially see the majors if Will Smith or Austin Barnes are forced to miss time.

Perez signed a minor-league contract with the Athletics on Jan. 5.

Perez elected free agency after being removed from the A's 40-man roster back in October, but he wound up re-signing. The 33-year-old catcher collected a .650 OPS in 66 games for Oakland in 2023 in what was his first action in the majors since 2018.