MLB Player News

The Guardians claimed Bethancourt off waivers from the Rays on Monday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Bethancourt spent a large portion of the 2023 season as the Rays' No. 1 catcher and put up decent counting statistics over his 332 plate appearances (11 home runs, 49 runs, 33 RBI and one stolen base), but an ugly .225/.254/.381 slash line (74 wRC+) made his less useful at the plate from a real-life standpoint. Still, the 32-year-old graded out as a capable defender behind the dish and wasn't a complete zero with the bat, so he should at least make for a dependable backup option and short-side platoon mate in Cleveland for No. 1 backstop Bo Naylor.

The Tigers plan to exercise Kelly's $3.5 million team option for 2024, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

After getting released by Arizona in mid-August, Kelly caught on with the Tigers shortly thereafter on a prorated one-year, $720,000 deal that included the club option for 2024. Over 19 games with the Tigers, Kelly hit just .173 and got on base at a .271 clip, but the organization was evidently satisfied enough with how the 29-year-old handled the pitching staff and acquitted himself defensively to justify bringing him back for 2024. Kelly will likely head into Opening Day as the Tigers' No. 2 catcher behind Jake Rogers.

The Cubs exercised Gomes' $6 million club option for 2024 on Sunday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

Gomes has been a steady hand behind the plate for Chicago over the past two years, and he'll be back again for a third season. The 36-year-old had a .723 OPS last year in 116 games following the departure of Willson Contreras, and he'll likely open 2024 as the Cubs' top catcher.

The Rays placed Bethancourt on outright waivers Saturday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Bethancourt will join five teammates on the waiver wire in an effort from the Rays to clear space on the 40-man roster. The 32-year-old backstop slashed .225/.254/.381 across 332 plate appearances in 2023 and could be picked up by another team in search of a backup catcher.

The Reds declined Casali's $2.5 million option for 2024 on Saturday, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

The 34-year-old backstop will receive a $750,000 buyout and enter the free agent market. Casali slashed just .175/.290/.200 with six RBI across 96 plate appearances in 2023 and likely will be limited to a depth role with his new organization.

Astros general manager Dana Brown confirmed in an interview with Randy McIlvoy of KPRC-TV on Thursday that Diaz "will be the main guy" next season at catcher.

Martin Maldonado has reached free agency, and while it's possible he could be re-signed as a backup, Diaz is in line to take over the lion's share of the catching duties for Houston next season. The 25-year-old made 85 starts -- 42 at catcher -- for the Astros in 2023, popping 23 home runs over just 377 plate appearances while posting an .846 OPS.

Narvaez exercised his $7 million player option for 2024 on Thursday.

As expected, the 31-year-old will return next season as the backup to young Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez. Narvaez slashed just .211/.283/.297 over 49 games (146 plate appearances) in 2023, but he is a good defender behind the plate and had the player option in hand.

Cropley cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Omaha on Tuesday.

He's no longer on the Royals' 40-man roster but will remain in the organization. Cropley, 27, got into two games for Kansas City this season, picking up one hit in six at-bats.

Perez elected free agency Tuesday.

Perez was placed on outright waivers by the Mets on Friday and went unclaimed. The 31-year-old catcher owns a career .179/.248/.306 big-league batting line and will likely have to settle for a minor-league contract this winter.

Perez was placed on outright assignment waivers Friday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

As part of a mass-clearing of the Mets' 40-man roster, Perez will join five other players on the waiver wire. Perez spent most of 2023 in Triple-A, slashing .204/.309/.352 across 270 plate appearances.