MLB Player News

The Red Sox traded Hoppe to the Mariners on Tuesday in exchange for minor-league catcher Luke Heyman, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Hoppe spent time with Double-A Portland and Triple-A Worcester in 2025, logging a 4.55 ERA and 1.52 WHIP over 61.1 innings between the two levels. Now with the Mariners, Hoppe will claim a 40-man roster spot and presumably begin the 2026 season at Triple-A Tacoma, where he will be tested in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League. Tayler Saucedo was designated for assignment in a corresponding move.

Tampa Bay traded Orze to the Twins on Tuesday for minor-league pitcher Jacob Kisting, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Orze looked pretty good in his first extended run in the majors last season, posting a 3.02 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 40:19 K:BB over 41.2 innings across 33 appearances. He also picked up three saves and a hold. However, he spent most of the second half of the campaign in the minors after stumbling with the Rays in late June and early July. Orze has a good chance of earning a role in Minnesota's big-league bullpen for 2026, as the club is overhauling most of its relief corps.

The Yankees selected Rodriguez-Cruz's contract from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Tuesday.

Rodriguez-Cruz reached Triple-A at the very end of the 2025 season after beginning the year at High-A Hudson Valley. He finished the season with a 2.51 ERA and 1.06 WHIP with a 176:57 K:BB through 150.1 innings across three different affiliates. The 22-year-old righty will most likely return to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to begin the 2026 campaign, though he will be a candidate to make his MLB debut at some point next year if he continues to dominate against minor-league hitters.

The Yankees selected Jones' contract from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Tuesday.

Jones totaled 35 home runs and 29 steals with a .933 OPS between Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and Double-A Somerset last year, though that was accompanied by a 35.3 percent strikeout rate. The 24-year-old is one of the organization's top prospects and could make his MLB debut in 2026, but he may have a difficult time cracking the lineup depending on how the Yankees' offseason unfolds.

The Guardians selected Watson's contract from Triple-A Columbus on Tuesday, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

Watson split the 2025 season between Double-A and Triple-A, slashing .250/.346/.467 with 16 homers, 61 RBI, 53 runs scored and 17 stolen bases over 429 plate appearances between the two levels. Now that he owns a place on Cleveland's 40-man roster, the 22-year-old outfielder is ineligible for the Rule 5 Draft and will most likely remain at Columbus for the start of the 2026 campaign.

The Guardians selected Genao's contract from Double-A Akron on Tuesday, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

One of the Guardians' top prospects, Genao missed the start of last season with a shoulder injury and never got on track after returning, logging a .259/.323/.359 slash line with two home runs and six steals in 77 games as a 21-year-old at Double-A. The switch-hitting shortstop is a strong bounce-back candidate in 2026, and while he may return to Double-A at the start of the year, he should spend the bulk of the year at Triple-A and could even make his big-league debut next summer.

The Rays designated Fraley (oblique) for assignment Tuesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Timesreports.

The veteran outfielder was claimed off waivers by the Rays in early November but has already lost his place on the 40-man roster. Fraley finished the season on the IL due to an oblique strain and totaled 76 games between Atlanta and Cincinnati. He had a .241/.332/.382 slash line with six home runs and four steals in 217 plate appearances.

The Rays designated Morel for assignment Tuesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Morel played in 105 games for the Rays last season but was inconsistent at the plate with a .219/.289/.396 slash line and 35.7 percent strikeout rate in 105 plate appearances. The 26-year-old clubbed 26 homers with an .821 OPS for the Cubs in 2023 but posted a .651 OPS over the past two regular seasons.

The Guardians selected Peterson's contract from Triple-A Columbus on Tuesday, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

Peterson struggled a bit after being promoted to Triple-A in June, posting a 4.27 ERA and 1.37 WHIP across 90.2 innings compared to the 1.47 ERA and 0.82 WHIP he held in 55 frames at Double-A Akron. The 26-year-old's addition to the 40-man roster will prevent him from being selected in the Rule 5 Draft, but the Guardians will likely keep him in Triple-A to begin the 2026 campaign.

Colorado traded Ward to Boston on Tuesday in exchange for left-handed reliever Brennan Bernardino, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

Ward is a 26-year-old speedster who stole 57 bases in 64 attempts across Double-A and Triple-A last season. He also batted a healthy .290 over 97 games, but he has very little power, as he went deep just twice in the minors in 2025. Ward has played all three outfield positions as well as second base and third base in the minors, so if he makes it to the majors, he best profiles as a utility player and speed specialist.