MLB Player News

The Nationals recalled Ortiz from Triple-A Rochester on Monday.

The 24-year-old will join the big club ahead of its four-game series in Philadelphia and is likely to settle into the strong side of a platoon at first base with Andres Chaparro (head), after the Nationals traded Luis Garcia to the Yankees on Sunday. Ortiz previously made his MLB debut in the Nationals' final game before the All-Star break but has otherwise spent the entire 2026 campaign at Triple-A. He's kept his strikeout rate at a manageable 19.5 percent and has produced a .244/.348/.497 slash line with 18 home runs across 365 plate appearances with Rochester.

The Marlins acquired Kisting and infielders Brayden Taylor and Adrian Santana from the Rays on Monday in exchange for catcher Liam Hicks, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

Kisting, 23, has logged an impressive 1.67 ERA and 96:18 K:BB over 86 innings with High-A Bowling Green this season. It's the second time since last offseason that Kisting has been traded, as he went from the Twins to the Rays in November in exchange for right-hander Eric Orze.

The Dodgers acquired Bubic (shoulder/elbow) from the Royals on Monday in exchange for right-hander Carlos Duran, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Though the Dodgers don't appear to have any room in the rotation after acquiring Tarik Skubal over the weekend and with Blake Snell (elbow) and Tyler Glasnow (back) nearing returns from the injured list, the organization didn't pass up on the chance to add another talented arm in Bubic to its deep stable of hurlers. Like Snell and Glasnow, Bubic is currently rehabbing an injury, though he doesn't appear to be nearly as close to coming back from the shelf and may not have enough time to get stretched back out for a starting role. According to MLB.com, Bubic increased his throwing distance off flat ground to 80 feet last week, so he could be a realistic option for the Dodgers at some point in the second half of August if they elect to bring him back as a reliever, per Jack Harris of the California Post. Bubic -- who is headed for free agency this winter -- submitted a 4.11 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 51:26 K:BB across 50.1 innings in nine starts this season before being deactivated May 18 due to left shoulder discomfort and left elbow soreness.

The Marlins acquired Santana, infielder Brayden Taylor and right-hander Jacob Kisting from the Rays on Monday in exchange for catcher Liam Hicks, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

The 21-year-old Santana has hit .316/.381/.400 with three home runs, 23 stolen bases and a 19:23 BB:K over 51 contests with High-A Bowling Green this season. Santana was a first-round pick in the 2023 First-Year Player Draft and has been used mainly at shortstop in pro ball, though he's also gotten some work at second base.

The Padres acquired Ray from the Giants on Monday in exchange for right-hander Miguel Mendez and shortstop Joniel Hernandez, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

The addition of Ray provides a much-needed upgrade to the San Diego rotation, which has struggled throughout the season to get quality results from any of its starters beyond ace Michael King. Though the 3.08 ERA that Ray has posted over 122.2 innings in 2026 hasn't been supported by most of his underlying metrics (4.76 SIERA, 4.43 xERA, 9.8 K-BB%), the veteran southpaw has performed better overall since the beginning of June. Over his final 10 appearances (nine starts) with the Giants, Ray went 7-0 with a 1.65 ERA (3.53 xERA) and 1.17 WHIP. Per Pavlovic, the Giants and Padres are expected to split coverage of the approximately $8 million remaining on Ray's contract.

The Marlins acquired Taylor, shortstop Adrian Santana and right-hander Jacob Kisting from the Rays on Monday in exchange for catcher Liam Hicks, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

Taylor is the most well-regarded of the three prospects headed to Miami. A first-round selection in the 2023 First-Year Player Draft, Taylor had a terrible 2025 campaign but has bounced back nicely in 2026, slashing .284/.384/.513 with 17 home runs, 20 stolen bases and a 51:87 BB:K over 88 games with Double-A Montgomery. The 24-year-old has mostly played third base in pro ball, but he has experience at second base and shortstop, as well.

The Rays acquired Hicks from the Marlins on Monday in exchange for infielders Brayden Taylor and Adrian Santana and right-hander Jacob Kisting, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

Hicks has turned in a robust .282/.363/.432 batting line with 14 home runs and a 40:39 BB:K over 101 games this season. He's split time between catcher, first base and designated hitter in 2026, but Hicks should in line to serve as the primary catcher in Tampa Bay. He's under team control through 2030.

Arraez will travel to Philadelphia on Monday and is expected to be formally activated by the Phillies ahead of Tuesday's game against the Nationals, Francys Romero of BeisbolFR.com reports.

The Phillies acquired Arraez and right-hander Caleb Kilian from the Giants earlier Monday, sending back minor-league right-handers Ramon Marquez and Marty Gair to San Francisco in the deal. A four-time All-Star and three-time batting champion, Arraez is expected to settle into an everyday role at second base upon joining the team, per Matt Gelb of The Athletic. Bryson Stott has been serving as the Phillies' primary option at the keystone this season, but he's likely to move to third base to accommodate Arraez. Meanwhile, Alec Bohm is expected to shift across the diamond to first base, which would shift Bryce Harper into a regular role in right field for the first time since April 2022.

The Blue Jays acquired Stephan and Josh Smith from the Rangers on Monday in exchange for Adam Macko, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

Stephan has made 19 starts and two relief appearances for Triple-A Round Rock in 2026, collecting a 5.44 ERA and 97:31 K:BB over 101 frames. The 24-year-old will likely join the rotation at Triple-A Buffalo.

The Blue Jays acquired Smith and right-hander Josh Stephan from the Rangers on Monday in exchange for left-hander Adam Macko, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

Smith was sent to Triple-A Round Rock on Friday after the Rangers had been prioritizing Ezequiel Duran and Nicky Lopez ahead of him as utility options, but the versatile 28-year-old should have a better chance at earning a larger role in Toronto. Though he's mustered a lowly .571 OPS in 154 plate appearances at the big-league level in 2026, the left-handed-hitting Smith has held his own against right-handed pitching over parts of five seasons in the majors, slashing .239/.330/.355 (98 wRC+) across 470 contests. Smith, who is under club control through 2028, will join the big club in Houston ahead of Monday's series opener versus the Astros.