MLB Player News

Heim is starting at catcher and batting ninth Friday in Game 5 of the ALCS versus the Astros.

He's part of the shakeup in the bottom half of the Rangers' batting order, as he previously has hit sixth eight times and fifth once in Texas' first nine games this postseason. Heim collected exactly one hit in each of those first seven contests but is hitless his last two times out.

Moreno is batting third in Game 3 of the NLCS on Thursday against the Phillies.

Moreno has posted an .889 OPS through 25 plate appearances this postseason while holding down the No. 5 spot in the Diamondbacks' lineup. Facing an 0-2 series deficit, Arizona will boost the 23-year-old catcher a bit higher for Game 3 versus the Phillies and left-hander Ranger Suarez. Tommy Pham is hitting fifth Thursday.

The Reds re-signed Maile to a one-year contract Thursday with a club option for 2025.

Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports that the guaranteed value of the deal is $3.5 million. Maile owns an underwhelming .212/.275/.328 career batting line in 380 major-league games, but the 32-year-old catcher has a solid defensive reputation and will return as an active backup to Tyler Stephenson, who often gets starts in the DH role.

Perez elected free agency Monday.

Perez had been removed from the Athletics' 40-man roster and has opted for free agency in lieu of an outright assignment. The 32-year-old made it back to the majors in 2023 for the first time in five years, posting a .650 OPS in 66 games for Oakland.

Wallach elected free agency Tuesday.

Wallach had been outrighted off the Angels' 40-man roster. The 31-year-old saw his most extensive big-league action to date in 2023 but produced just a .635 OPS in 65 contests for the Halos.

Barrera elected free agency Friday.

Barrera will head to the open market this offseason and will presumably be on the lookout for a minor-league deal. He appeared in six big-league games for St. Louis in 2023 but was outrighted off the 40-man roster in June and finished the campaign at Triple-A Memphis. Over 245 plate appearances with Memphis, the 29-year-old backstop slashed .213/.306/.343 with seven home runs.

Moreno (wrist) will start at catcher and bat fifth Monday in Game 1 of the Diamondbacks' National League Championship Series matchup with the Phillies, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Moreno exited Arizona's Game 4 and series-clinching win over the Dodgers in the National League Division Series last week after a foul tip caught him on the right hand/wrist. Fortunately for Moreno, X-rays came back negative, and he's ready to go for the NLCS after taking batting practice Sunday without issue. Moreno has popped three home runs and driven in six runs in five contests so far this postseason.

Wynns cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Albuquerque on Friday.

The Rockies are doing some cleanup on their 40-man roster and Wynns is one of the casualties. He has the ability to become a free agent if he so chooses rather than accept the minor-league assignment.

Perez cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Las Vegas on Thursday.

The Athletics did some housecleaning with their 40-man roster Thursday and Perez is one of the players to lose his spot. He'll remain in the organization and represent catching depth.

Moreno said Wednesday that X-rays on his right wrist came back negative, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

Moreno was pulled from Game 4 of the NLDS after getting hit in the hand/wrist area on a bunt attempt, but it appears he managed to escape with only a bruise. The 23-year-old backstop will get four days to recover before the D-backs face Atlanta or Philadelphia in the NLCS.