MLB Player News

Atlanta traded Stassi (hip/personal) and cash considerations to the White Sox on Saturday in exchange for a player to be named later or cash.

Stassi was traded from the Angels to Atlanta on Friday, but it was assumed Atlanta would quickly send Stassi elsewhere given the presence of Sean Murphy and Travis d'Arnaud. Stassi slashed .180/.267/.303 in 375 plate appearances in 2022, and he failed to appear in a game last season due to a hip injury and a serious family medical issue. Stassi's extended time away from baseball means he will have to compete for a spot on the White Sox's Opening Day roster, but a weak catcher room in Chicago keeps him in the running for the starting job.

Atlanta acquired Stassi (hip/personal) and David Fletcher from the Angels on Friday in exchange for Evan White (hip) and Tyler Thomas, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

The reigning NL East champs are already set at catcher with Sean Murphy and Travis d'Arnaud, so Stassi could quickly be flipped to another team -- assuming he's ready to resume his playing career. The 32-year-old did not appear in a game at any level in 2023 after suffering a hip injury late in spring training and then having to deal with a serious family medical issue.

Bemboom signed a minor-league contract with the Tigers on Friday and received an invitation to major-league spring training, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

Bemboom entered free agency in the offseason after two seasons with Baltimore, where he slashed .127/.225/.206 across 72 total plate appearances. Given Bemboom's poor major-league history, he likely won't offer the Tigers much more than organizational depth behind the dish.

The Yankees traded Higashioka to San Diego on Wednesday alongside Michael King, Drew Thorpe, Randy Vasquez and Jhony Brito in exchange for Juan Soto and Trent Grisham, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Higashioka slashed .236/.274/.413 with 10 homers and 34 RBI across 260 plate appearances last season -- his best season at the plate since 2020. However, with Luis Campusano virtually locked in as San Diego's main backstop, the 33-year-old Higashioka will have to compete with Brett Sullivan for a backup role.

Caratini signed a two-year, $12 million contract with the Astros on Tuesday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Caratini spent two seasons as Milwaukee's backup catcher, and he seems primed to take on the same role behind Yainer Diaz in Houston. The switch-hitting Caratini slashed .259/.327/.383 with seven homers and 25 RBI across 226 plate appearances last season, and his reputation as an excellent framer should help him earn occasional starts behind the dish.

The Mets claimed Heineman off waivers from the Blue Jays on Friday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Heineman is a career .218/.297/.282 hitter over parts of four big-league seasons. With Francisco Alvarez and Omar Narvaez back in 2024, the 32-year-old Heineman would appear pegged for Triple-A Syracuse to begin next season.

The Mariners acquired Zavala from the Diamondbacks on Wednesday along with Carlos Vargas in exchange for Eugenio Suarez, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

Zavala was a waiver claim by the Diamondbacks in September but made just four starts during his three and a half weeks with the team. The 30-year-old catcher has a career .622 OPS over parts of four major-league seasons spent mostly with the White Sox. He could open 2024 as Cal Raleigh's backup.

Atlanta re-signed Tromp to a minor-league contract Wednesday.

Tromp was non-tendered by Atlanta last week but will return to the organization. The 28-year-old catcher has put up a .640 OPS with five home runs over 102 plate appearances at the major-league level. He'll likely begin 2024 at Triple-A Gwinnett.

Stubbs avoided arbitration Friday with the Phillies on a one-year contract.

Stubbs slashed just .204/.274/.283 over 41 regular-season games in 2023 and drew only one postseason plate appearance, but the backup catcher figures to return to that role behind J.T. Realmuto in 2024.

Tromp was non-tendered by Atlanta on Friday, MLB.com reports.

With Sean Murphy and Travis d'Arnaud already on the depth chart, Atlanta doesn't need to carry a third catcher on the 40-man roster during the offseason. Tromp has a 31:1 K:BB in 102 MLB plate appearances and was below league average (84 wRC+) at Triple-A last season as a 28-year-old.