MLB Player News

Wong's contract was purchased by the Red Sox on Friday.

Acquired from the Dodgers in the Mookie Betts trade, Wong is Boston's top catching prospect. He spent the summer at the alternate training site after finishing 2019 at Double-A, so he should open the year at Triple-A. Wong has significant right-handed power, but needs to improve his approach at the plate.

Rortvedt was added to the Twins' 40-man roster Friday.

Rortvedt didn't make the 60-man roster in 2020, but he advanced to Double-A in 2019, hitting .239/.332/.355 with 19 RBI. He'll remain in the organization going forward, as his addition to the 40-man roster will protect him from the Rule 5 draft.

Moreno was added to the Blue Jays' 40-man roster Friday.

Moreno was able to develop as part of the Blue Jays' 60-man roster in 2020, but he's likely still several years away from being considered for the major-league roster. His addition to the 40-man roster will protect him from the upcoming Rule 5 draft. The 20-year-old slashed .280/.337/.485 with 12 home runs at the Low-A level in 2019.

Adams was added to the Blue Jays' 40-man roster Friday.

Adams didn't make an appearance in the majors as part of the Blue Jays' 60-man roster in 2020, but he'll be protected from the upcoming Rule 5 draft. The 24-year-old progressed to the Double-A level in 2019, slashing .258/.349/.439 with 11 home runs and 39 RBI.

Herrera's contract was selected by the Cardinals on Wednesday.

Herrera will join the Cardinals' 40-man roster in order to protect him from the upcoming Rule 5 draft. Even if the team doesn't bring Yadier Molina back during the offseason, the 20-year-old has mainly worked in the lower levels of the minors and is unlikely to be considered for a major-league roster spot in 2021. Herrera slashed .284/.374/.405 with nine home runs and 47 RBI between the Low-A and High-A levels in 2019.

Maile elected free agency after being outrighted off the Pirates' 40-man roster Oct. 30, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Maile will presumably be in the market this winter for a minor-league deal with an organization that includes an invitation to big-league spring training. The 29-year-old catcher didn't see any action for the Pirates in 2020 after fracturing his right finger in summer camp and requiring season-ending surgery.

Heineman signed a minor-league contract with the Cardinals on Friday as a non-roster invitee.

Heineman appeared in 15 major-league contests with the Giants during the 2020 season, but he failed to generate much production, slashing .190/.292/.214 with a double and one RBI. The 29-year-old will get to work with the major-league coaching staff during spring training as he prepares to join his third team in as many seasons.

Realmuto will reject his one-year, $18.9 million qualifying offer from the Phillies on Wednesday, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.

Realmuto was expected to reject the qualifying offer as he seeks a multi-year deal in free agency, but the team that signs him will now have to forfeit a draft pick as compensation. The 29-year-old had a career-best .840 OPS with 11 home runs and 32 RBI during the shortened 2020 season and figures to be one of the most appealing players on the open market.

The Giants declared Heineman a free agent Sunday, Chris Hilburn-Trenkle of Baseball America reports.

Heineman served as the Giants' Opening Day catcher, but he was unseated by Chadwick Tromp for the top job by midseason before both backstops fell behind top prospect Joey Bart in the pecking order. With Buster Posey (personal) poised to return from the restricted list to join Bart as the Giants' catching options in 2021, San Francisco outrighted Heineman off the 40-man roster over the weekend. He'll now be free to join another organization that's looking to shore up its depth behind the dish.

Heineman was outrighted to Triple-A Sacramento on Sunday, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

The Giants will bump Heineman off the 40-man roster as free agency officially opens. The 29-year-old backstop has a .208 average and one home run in 62 MLB plate appearances over the past two seasons.