MLB Player News
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Reese McGuire C | CHW
Brewers' Reese McGuire: Goes to Milwaukee on NRI pact
The Brewers signed McGuire to a minor-league contract Wednesday that includes an invitation to spring training, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.
McGuire participated in 44 regular-season games for the Cubs in 2025, slashing .226/.245/.444 with nine home runs. The Brewers have an opening at backup catcher behind William Contreras, and there's a good chance McGuire wins that job.
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Jhonny Pereda C | SEA
Mariners' Jhonny Pereda: Traded to Seattle
The Twins traded Pereda to the Mariners on Tuesday in exchange for cash.
The Twins DFA'd Pereda on Friday after signing Victor Caratini, but the former will reclaim a 40-man roster spot now that he's been dealt to the M's. He won't take playing time away from Cal Raleigh, but Pereda could provide some quality organizational depth after slashing .308/.422/.465 across 192 Triple-A plate appearances last year.
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Moises Ballesteros C | CHC
Cubs' Moises Ballesteros: Greater opportunity awaits
Ballesteros has a clearer path to the Cubs' starting DH job as a result of the trade that sent Owen Caissie to the Marlins for Edward Cabrera, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.
Ballesteros acquitted himself quite well in 66 major-league plate appearances during the 2025 regular season, slashing .298/.394/.474 with two homers. His 13.6 BB rate and 18.2 K rate were particularly encouraging for a player making his debut as a 21-year-old. Ballesteros might get pushed into the strong-side of a platoon with Matt Shaw, who lost his starting third base job when the Cubs signed Alex Bregman.
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Chad Wallach C | ATH
Athletics' Chad Wallach: Lands with A's on MiLB deal
Wallach signed a minor-league contract with the Athletics on Sunday.
Wallach spent time with the Rangers' and Angels' Triple-A affiliates in 2025 and slashed .248/.319/.430 with 43 RBI and 33 runs scored across 259 plate appearances. The 34-year-old backstop hasn't appeared in an MLB game since 2023, and he'll likely remain a depth piece at Triple-A Las Vegas in 2026.
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Jhonny Pereda C | SEA
Twins' Jhonny Pereda: Designated for assignment
The Twins designated Pereda for assignment Friday, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.
The 29-year-old backstop will be replaced on Minnesota's 40-man roster by Victor Caratini, whose signing became official Friday. Pereda slashed .246/.325/.333 in 2025 across 78 MLB plate appearances split between the Athletics and Twins. However, he finished the minor-league season with an .887 OPS across 192 plate appearances at Triple-A, which could be enough for another team to pick him up off waivers.
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Riley Adams C | WAS
Nationals' Riley Adams: Designated for assignment
The Nationals designated Adams for assignment Thursday.
The 29-year-old backstop appeared in a career-high 83 games during the 2025 season but was a liability when holding a bat, as he slashed .186/.252/.308 across 286 plate appearances. With no need for five catchers on their 40-man roster, the Nationals will now move on from Adams in order to make room for Gus Varland (undisclosed), who was claimed off waivers from Arizona on Thursday.
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Tres Barrera C | WAS
Nationals' Tres Barrera: Back with Nationals as NRI
The Nationals signed Barrera to a minor-league contract Thursday that includes an invitation to spring training.
Barrera was drafted by the Nationals and broke into the big leagues with them. The 31-year-old catcher spent 2025 in the minors in the Rays organization and last saw action in the majors in 2023. Barrera will likely begin the 2026 season at Triple-A Rochester as catching depth.
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Ivan Herrera C | STL
Cardinals' Ivan Herrera: Begins throwing program
Herrera (elbow) was cleared to begin a throwing program earlier in January and is expected to begin hitting and defensive drills this week, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Herrera underwent surgery in November to remove bone spurs from his right elbow, an injury that limited him to designated-hitter duty in the final few months of the 2025 season. The 25-year-old is expected to be ready to roll for the start of spring training. Herrera will attempt to return to the catching position in 2026, though Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol indicated that the team's evaluation of Herrera at catcher will likely continue into the regular season. For fantasy purposes, Herrera will enter 2026 as utility-eligible only, but he could regain catcher eligibility early on.
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Victor Caratini C | MIN
Twins' Victor Caratini: Lands two-year deal with Twins
Caratini signed a two-year, $14 million contract with the Twins on Friday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.
Caratini played with the Astros in 2025 and slashed .259/.324/.404 across 386 plate appearances while racking up 12 homers, 46 RBI and 35 runs scored -- all of which represent career highs. Now in Minnesota, the 32-year-old switch hitter figures to share time with Ryan Jeffers behind the plate and could fill in occasionally for Trevor Larnach as the team's DH against southpaws.
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J.T. Realmuto C | PHI
Phillies' J.T. Realmuto: Back with Phils on three-year deal
The Phillies re-signed Realmuto to a three-year, $45 million contract Friday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.
The deal can max out at $60 million if Realmuto reaches all of his incentives. The backstop turns 35 in March and has been in a steady decline both offensively and defensively, finishing the 2025 campaign with a .257/.315/.384 batting line and 12 home runs over 134 regular-season contests. However, while Realmuto's best days are behind him, he remains a quality hitter compared to most catchers, still has a great throwing arm and is well-liked in the Phillies' clubhouse.