MLB Player News

The Padres acquired Stratton from the Pirates on Monday in exchange for right-hander Andrew Moore.

Stratton was designated for assignment a couple days ago by Pittsburgh, but the Padres were able to find a spot for him on their 40-man roster. Stratton, a 29-year-old righty, already went through this process earlier in the season when Atlanta DFA'd him, and he was then dealt to Pittsburgh for catcher Joey Bart. He's logged 32.2 innings in the minors and 3.1 innings in the majors this season.

The Cubs optioned Dean to Triple-A Iowa on Monday.

After being promoted from Iowa on June 19, Dean logged just 10 plate appearances, with the Cubs mainly using him as a pinch runner or late-inning defensive replacement. Kevin Alcantara was called up from Triple-A to replace Dean on the Chicago bench.

The Cubs recalled Alcantara from Triple-A Iowa on Monday. He'll start in left field and bat ninth in the series opener versus the Dodgers.

Just over a week after being sent to Iowa, Alcantara will join the big-league roster as a replacement for Justin Dean, who was optioned to Triple-A. Alcantara has seen limited opportunities with the Cubs this season but has produced a .271/.363/.542 slash line with 17 home runs over 273 plate appearances at Iowa.

The Phillies acquired Thomas from the Athletics on Monday in exchange for right-hander Seth Johnson.

Thomas owns a .628 OPS with 10 home runs and a 34 percent strikeout rate in 253 big-league plate appearances. The 25-year-old was one of the Athletics' better prospects not long ago, and he's a career .285/.360/.546 hitter in the minors who is under team control through 2031, making him an interesting flier for Philadelphia. Thomas will likely report to Triple-A Lehigh Valley initially, but the right-handed hitter could get some chances with the Phillies versus left-handed pitching down the stretch.

The Dodgers acquired Feduccia and right-hander Jacob Kmatz from the Rays on Monday in exchange for outfielder Jack Suwinski and international bonus pool money.

With Dalton Rushing (elbow) joining Will Smith (neck) on the injured list Monday, the Dodgers brought Feduccia aboard to restore some depth behind the plate. The 29-year-old had been operating in a tandem at catcher with Nick Fortes in Tampa Bay, slashing .234/.306/.340 with two home runs and 14 RBI in 160 plate appearances on the season. While he's up with the Dodgers, the left-handed-hitting Feduccia could occupy the strong side of a loose platoon at catcher with the switch-hitting Eliezer Alfonzo until one of Rushing or Smith returns from the shelf.

The Orioles acquired Franklin from the Nationals on Monday in exchange for right-hander Joe Glassey, Andy Kostka of TheBanner.com reports.

Franklin is on the 40-man roster and has been a league-average performer (101 wRC+) in 93 games at Triple-A as a 26-year-old. He has plus speed and good defensive chops and will hope to eventually carve out time as a reserve outfielder. Franklin was traded from the Cubs to the Nationals at last year's deadline.

The Athletics acquired Johnson from the Phillies on Monday in exchange for outfielder Colby Thomas.

Johnson has yet to find much success in the majors, putting up a 7.18 ERA and 37:21 K:BB over 31.1 frames covering parts of three seasons. However, he's a hard thrower who holds a 2.17 ERA and 40:11 K:BB across 29 frames this season at Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Johnson might get a chance to pitch high-leverage innings as part of a patchwork Athletics bullpen.

The Cardinals acquired Santana, right-hander Daniel Eagen and a player to be named later from the Diamondbacks on Monday in exchange for outfielder Lars Nootbaar.

A 21-year-old lefty reliever, Santana has a 0.57 ERA, 0.77 WHIP, 21:6 K:BB and 76.7 percent groundball rate in 15.2 innings across 11 appearances since getting promoted to Double-A in late June. He possesses a solid fastball and slider, and his 10.6 percent walk rate this season is a career-best mark.

The Dodgers placed Rushing on the 10-day injured list Monday due to a mild elbow strain, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Scratched from the lineup ahead of Sunday's loss to the Red Sox due to what the Dodgers had labeled as minor arm irritation, Rushing will wind up on the IL a day later after follow-up tests revealed the elbow strain. The fact that Rushing's injury is being classified as mild bodes well for his chances of avoid an extended absences, but at least for the next week and a half, the Dodgers will be without both of their top two backstops. With Rushing and Will Smith (neck) on the shelf, the Dodgers bolstered their catching depth by acquiring Hunter Feduccia and Ben Rortvedt in trades Monday. Feduccia will join the big club and form a catching tandem with Eliezer Alfonzo.

The Cardinals acquired Eagen, left-hander Sandro Santana and a player to be named later from the Diamondbacks on Monday in exchange for outfielder Lars Nootbaar.

Eagen is a better pitcher than his 4.95 ERA and 1.31 WHIP in 20 starts at Double-A this season would suggest, as he pitched half his games in Amarillo, one of the most hitter-friendly parks in the minors. On the positive side, Eagen has a strong 29.2 percent strikeout rate and a career-best 9.1 percent walk rate. The 6-foot-4 righty has been particularly effective over his last four starts, logging a 2.45 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 28 strikeouts in 22 innings.