MLB Player News

Flores was traded from the Yankees to the Pirates on Thursday along with two other prospects for David Bednar, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

This trade increases Flores' dynasty value, as he was unlikely to break through as a regular, catcher, first baseman or designated hitter in the Bronx but could have much better luck in Pittsburgh. A 24-year-old righty hitter and thrower, Flores was recently promoted to Triple-A and is slashing .279/.351/./475 with 16 home runs, a 9.8 percent walk rate and a 25.5 percent strikeout rate in 97 games, primarily at Double-A. He has seen the most action at catcher, but most public scouting reports suggest he would be a fringe-average or below-average defender behind the dish.

The Phillies designated de Geus for assignment Thursday, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

The Phillies needed to clear a 40-man spot in order to make room for new acquisition Harrison Bader, and they will do so by removing de Geus. The 27-year-old righty has given up one run in two innings with the Phillies this season and owns a 3.86 ERA with a 1.69 WHIP through 35 innings in Triple-A.

Taillon (calf) is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Iowa on Saturday, per MLB.com.

Taillon faced hitters in a 40-pitch live batting practice session Tuesday, and his next step is a rehab assignment in Iowa. The veteran has already been able to build his stamina some by throwing off a mound during his recovery from a calf strain, so his rehab stint may be fairly brief. Taillon has been out since June 29, and Chicago manager Craig Counsell said a few days later that the pitcher would miss about a month, so the righty appears on track to return to the Cubs' rotation in the near future.

The Reds optioned Hinds to Triple-A Louisville on Thursday.

Hinds will end up as the roster casualty that makes room for Ke'Bryan Hayes, who was acquired by Cincinnati in a trade with the Pirates on Wednesday. Hinds owns a .959 OPS through 299 plate appearances in Triple-A this season but hasn't been able to translate it into MLB success, as he's gone just 5-for-43 at the plate in a Reds uniform.

After playing in three rehab games for the Cubs' Arizona Complex League affiliate last week, Amaya (oblique) shifted his assignment to Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday and has appeared in two additional contests.

Amaya has gone just 2-for-11 during his rehab assignment, but the important thing is that he appears healthy and hasn't experienced any setbacks. The catcher is likely nearing a return to the majors in the near future. Amaya should slot in as Carson Kelly's backup when he's back with Chicago, though the former will still see his fair share of playing time. The 26-year-old was slashing .280/.313/.505 through 27 games before getting hurt.

Atlanta sent Delay outright to Triple-A Gwinnett on Thursday, 680 The Fan Atlanta reports.

The 30-year-old backstop has been in Triple-A all season, slashing .230/.288/.267 through 146 plate appearances. He'll now lose his spot on the 40-man roster but stick in the organization as additional catcher depth for the Stripers.

The Dodgers acquired Stewart from the Twins on Thursday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

It's a homecoming of sorts for Stewart, who was drafted by the Dodges and spent his first three-and-a-half seasons with them in a swingman role. Stewart is now 33 and has struggled with injuries, but he's been healthy this year outside of an early-season hamstring issue and has posted a 2.38 ERA and 41:11 K:BB over 34 innings. He is under team control through 2027.

The Phillies acquired Bader from the Twins on Thursday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports. The Twins received right-handed pitcher Geremy Villoria along with outfielder Hendry Mendez.

The Phillies were looking for a right-handed-hitting outfielder to take some at-bats away from the lefty-swinging Max Kepler and/or Brandon Marsh. Bader fits that need well, as he's slashed .258/.339/.439 with 12 home runs and 10 stolen bases for the Twins this season and has a career .776 OPS versus southpaws. He's making $6.25 million in 2025 and is an impending free agent.

The Nationals acquired Randall and R.J. Sales from the Tigers on Thursday in exchange for Kyle Finnegan, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

Randall has posted a 3.92 ERA and 70:15 K:BB over 80.1 frames covering 17 starts between the Single- and High-A levels in 2025. The 22-year-old right-hander was a third-round pick in the 2024 First-Year Player Draft.

Freeman went 1-for-2 with a two-run home run and two walks Wednesday in a loss to Cincinnati.

Prior to Wednesday, Freeman had gone 23 games without a homer. He snapped that drought in the fourth inning against Reds hurler Nick Martinez, bashing a two-run shot to account for Los Angeles' only runs of the game. Freeman has reached base safely in eight of his past nine contests and is slashing .343/.425/.457 with seven RBI during that span.