MLB Player News

The Rays acquired Wells from the Orioles on Monday in exchange for right-hander Michael Forret, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Wells boasts a 2.67 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 53:13 K:BB over 54 innings out of the Baltimore bullpen this season. He should handle a setup role for the Rays, who will have him under club control through the 2027 campaign.

The Cubs acquired Holmes (fibula) and outfielder Tyrone Taylor from the Mets on Monday in exchange for infielder Jefferson Rojas, Chelsea Janes of SNY.tv reports.

Holmes didn't end up making it back from the injured list before the trade deadline, but the veteran right-hander showed well enough during the third start of his rehab assignment Sunday at High-A Brooklyn to have plenty of suitors vying for his services. The right-hander will ultimately land with the Cubs, who already bolstered their rotation over the weekend with the acquisition of Kevin Gausman. After covering 5.1 innings and 73 pitches Sunday, Holmes would appear to be stretched out enough to handle a starting role right away with the Cubs, though it's unclear if he'll be in store for a long-term spot in the rotation. Edward Cabrera (hamstring) began a rehab assignment Friday and could eventually emerge as a starting candidate once he returns from the IL, and the Cubs have received quality results of late from back-end rotation members Colin Rea and David Peterson. Holmes may plenty of experience working as a high-leverage reliever, so he might be ticketed for the bullpen once the Cubs pare down their rotation late in the season.

The Royals transferred Seabold (lat) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Monday.

Seabold will give up his spot on the 40-man roster to right-hander Nolan Hoffman, whom the Royals acquired in a trade with the Phillies. Since Seabold was initially placed on the IL on July 1, he won't be eligible for activation until Aug. 30. Seabold is currently rehabbing in Arizona while he recovers from the right lat strain, and a potential target date for his return likely won't be known until he heads out on a rehab assignment.

The Royals acquired Hoffman from the Phillies on Monday in exchange for Manuel Colon.

Hoffman had been booted off the Phillies' 40-man roster earlier Monday, but he'll now join a new 40-man roster in Kansas City. The right-handed reliever has logged a 4.72 ERA and 40:18 K:BB over 34.1 innings at the Triple-A level this season and has given up two runs in 4.2 frames in the majors in 2026.

The Rays recalled Grove from Triple-A Durham on Monday.

Grove will give the Rays a fresh arm to round out their bullpen after Craig Kimbrel was designated for assignment and Alex Cook was optioned to Triple-A earlier Monday to create room on the roster for the club's recent trade additions. The right-hander has been up with the Rays on two other occasions this season but made his lone appearance with the big club June 27, when he struck out four over three scoreless innings in a win over the Diamondbacks.

The Cubs acquired Zeferjahn from the Angels on Monday in exchange for catcher Moises Ballesteros and right-hander Mason McGwire, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Zeferjahn will bolster a Cubs bullpen that desperately needed help. Given the current complexion of the Cubs' relief crew, Zeferjahn could serve as the closer, though the Cubs could make further additions leading up Monday's deadline. Additionally, Daniel Palencia (elbow) appears to be close to beginning a rehab assignment and moving toward an eventual return from the injured list. Zeferjahn holds a 3.66 ERA and 75:32 K:BB over 51.2 innings for the Angels this season, logging four saves along the way. He's under team control through 2030.

The Yankees recalled Castro from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Monday.

Castro has allowed one run with a 4:0 K:BB in 2.2 innings out of the Yankees bullpen this season. He'll be used in middle relief.

The Brewers acquired Romero (abdomen) and Dustin May from the Cardinals on Monday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

Romero has been shelved since mid-July following an emergency appendectomy, but he's expected to be ready to return in mid-August. The southpaw has authored a 3.35 ERA and 43:16 K:BB over 43 innings this season and is an impending free agent.

The Pirates acquired Weaver and cash considerations from the Mets on Monday in exchange for shortstop Sammy Stafura, Jorge Castillo of ESPN.com reports.

Weaver receives a potentially big boost in fantasy value with a move to Pittsburgh, where he could be the favorite to serve as the Pirates' closer. The righty reliever has posted a 1.84 ERA and 45:11 K:BB over 44 innings this season for the Mets. Weaver is under contract for 2027 as well, with a salary of $12.5 million.

The Rays optioned Cook to Triple-A Durham on Monday.

Cook allowed three runs with a 2:2 K:BB over 3.2 innings in his first two major-league appearances. He's being sent down in order to free up a spot on the active roster for right-hander Freddy Peralta, who was acquired from the Mets on Sunday.