MLB Player News

The Brewers traded Frias and Josiah Ragsdale to the Cardinals on Monday in exchange for Dustin May and JoJo Romero, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Frias is the latest Brewers international signee to break out in a big way, as he has already registered elite exit velocities as an 18-year-old with a projectable 6-foot-2, 177-pound frame. The lefty-hitting Frias won't turn 19 until March and slashed .342/.427/.553 with eight home runs, 19 steals and a 17.6 percent strikeout rate in 60 games across the Arizona Complex League and Single-A. It's worth noting that he was significantly more productive in complex ball (189 wRC+) than after his promotion to the Carolina League (93 wRC+), but his upside is undeniable. His 20 percent strikeout rate at Single-A hasn't been a problem, but his 57.3 percent groundball rate is a poor mark.

The Cubs acquired Zeferjahn from the Angels on Monday in exchange for catcher Moises Ballesteros and right-hander Mason McGwire, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Zeferjahn will bolster a Cubs bullpen that desperately needed help. Given the current complexion of the Cubs' relief crew, Zeferjahn could serve as the closer, though the Cubs could make further additions leading up Monday's deadline. Additionally, Daniel Palencia (elbow) appears to be close to beginning a rehab assignment and moving toward an eventual return from the injured list. Zeferjahn holds a 3.66 ERA and 75:32 K:BB over 51.2 innings for the Angels this season, logging four saves along the way. He's under team control through 2030.

The Orioles acquired Narvaez, right-handers Anthony Eyanson and Kyson Witherspoon, outfielder Enddy Azocar and a player to be named later from the Red Sox on Monday in exchange for catchers Adley Rutschman (wrist), Jake Rogers and cash, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Though he had faded into a timeshare behind the plate in Boston with Connor Wong, Narvaez should settle in as the new No. 1 backstop for the Orioles, at least until Samuel Basallo (shoulder) makes his return from the injured list. Narvaez delivered a serviceable .725 OPS with 15 home runs over 118 games in his first full big-league campaign in 2025, but he's seen both his power and contact rate tail off dramatically in 2026. The 27-year-old slashed just .187/.260/.275 with a .088 ISO and 33.5 percent strikeout rate over 197 plate appearances with Boston this season.

The Yankees recalled Castro from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Monday.

Castro has allowed one run with a 4:0 K:BB in 2.2 innings out of the Yankees bullpen this season. He'll be used in middle relief.

The Yankees optioned Schuemann to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Monday.

New York needed to clear room on the 26-man active roster for trade-deadline acquisition Luis Garcia, and Schuemann ended up being the casuality. Schuemann has put up a .694 OPS in 40 games as a utility player for the Yankees this season.

The Marlins acquired Long and right-hander Jace Beck from the Cubs on Monday in exchange for left-hander Braxton Garrett, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Long had been blocked off at the Triple-A level while in the Cubs organization for the past couple seasons, but he's also seen a decline in his performance (108 wRC+) in 2026 compared to 2025 (131 wRC+). A righty-hitting first baseman and left fielder, Long is slashing .283/.364/.455 with 12 home runs and a 21.2 percent strikeout rate in 99 games as a 24-year-old.

The Cubs acquired Garrett from the Marlins on Monday in exchange for first baseman Jonathon Long and right-hander Jace Beck, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Garrett becomes the second starting pitcher the Cubs have acquired in the less than 24 hours, after Chicago previously swung a deal for Kevin Gausman on Sunday. Though Gausman will immediately settle into a starting role with the Cubs, Garrett will be optioned to Triple-A Iowa to begin his time in the organization. After missing the entire 2025 campaign while recovering from UCL revision surgery with an internal brace, Garrett has enjoyed sound health this season but wasn't able to carve out a role at the big-league level with the Marlins. The 28-year-old southpaw made just two appearances in Miami and had instead been making regular starts at Triple-A Jacksonville, where he submitted a 2.98 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 88:32 K:BB across 81.2 innings.

The Brewers acquired Romero (abdomen) and Dustin May from the Cardinals on Monday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

Romero has been shelved since mid-July following an emergency appendectomy, but he's expected to be ready to return in mid-August. The southpaw has authored a 3.35 ERA and 43:16 K:BB over 43 innings this season and is an impending free agent.

The Orioles acquired Witherspoon, right-hander Anthony Eyanson, outfielder Enddy Azocar, catcher Carlos Narvaez and a player to be named later from the Red Sox on Monday in exchange for catchers Adley Rutschman, Jake Rogers and cash, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

A first-round draft pick in 2025, Witherspoon had been regarded as one of the top lower-level arms in Boston's farm system, even despite his uneven results during his first season of pro ball. The 21-year-old righty turned in a 4.78 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 78:34 K:BB while surrendering 10 home runs over 75.1 innings at High-A Greenville. The 6-foot-2, 205-pound Witherspoon is regarded as a good athlete with a deep arsenal that includes multiple pitches with plus potential, making him an intriguing developmental prospect for the Orioles. He's expected to report to High-A Frederick to kick off his time in the Baltimore organization.

The Brewers acquired May and JoJo Romero (abdomen) from the Cardinals on Monday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

May has turned in a nice 2026 campaign, collecting a 4.38 ERA and 106:35 K:BB over 109 innings covering 21 starts for the Cardinals. The right-hander is earning $12.5 million this season and is an impending free agent.