Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt said earlier this month that Fry (face) is expected to resume playing defense during the 2026 season, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports. "I'm just excited that David is going to be healthy," Vogt said. "David having a full winter, healthy, completed the [throwing] rehab. It's going to be really exciting to be able to use him the way his skill set is intended."

After undergoing Tommy John surgery on his throwing elbow last November, Fry was cleared to make his 2025 debut for the Guardians in late May but ended being limited exclusively to designated-hitter and pinch-hitting duties throughout the season. His campaign came to an early end when he was hit in the face by a pitch from the Tigers' Tarik Skubal on Sept. 23, resulting in Fry requiring surgery to repair nasal fractures. Vogt suggested that Fry has fully healed from that procedure, putting the 30-year-old on track to resume duties as the team's third catch while also being in the mix for playing time at the infield and outfield corners in 2026. Fry's ability to hit lefties -- he had a .996 OPS against southpaws in 2024 -- should provide a boost to the Guardians, who ranked 27th against left-handers in 2025 with a .647 OPS.

The Athletics signed Soderstrom to a seven-year, $86 million contract extension Thursday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports. The deal includes a club option for 2033.

The deal buys out at least three free-agent years and can max out at $131 million if Soderstrom reaches all of the escalators in the contract. Soderstrom broke out in 2025 in his first full major-league season, slashing .276/.346/.474 with 25 home runs and 93 RBI. He also learned to play left field on the fly and took to it surprisingly well, finishing as a Gold Glove finalist. Soderstrom will be only 31 in the final year of the contract if the Athletics pick up his option, so it's a deal that is likely to be very team-friendly if he continues his upward trajectory.

The Cubs signed Bethancourt to a minor-league contract Monday that includes an invitation to spring training, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

He'll be paid $1.6 million if in the majors, but with Carson Kelly and an out-of-minor-league-options Miguel Amaya already on the team, Bethancourt is unlikely to crack the Opening Day roster. The 34-year-old catcher spent the 2025 season at Triple-A Buffalo in the Blue Jays organization, posting just a .551 OPS. Bethancourt is a career .229/.259/.362 hitter over parts of eight big-league seasons.

The Red Sox plan to have Contreras (shoulder) split his playing time between first base and designated hitter, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Triston Casas' recovery from a ruptured patellar tendon is coming along well and there's a chance he's ready for Opening Day, but the acquisition of Contreras allows the Red Sox to slow-play Casas, if needed. Contreras is coming back from a shoulder injury of his own but is expected to be fine for spring training. When both players are healthy, they should soak up most of the reps between first base and DH, though Casas does have minor-league options remaining.

St. Louis traded Contreras (shoulder) to the Red Sox on Sunday for a package that includes pitcher Hunter Dobbins (knee), Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Contreras spent the past three seasons with St. Louis after beginning his career with seven campaigns as a Cub. He transitioned to first base full time last year, with all 120 of his appearances in the field coming at that position after he spent his first nine seasons primarily as a catcher. Contreras reportedly informed Cardinals president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom in September that he was unwilling to waive his no-trade clause, but clearly the 33-year-old has since had a change of heart. He'll fill a considerable gap at first base for the Red Sox, as they lost Abraham Toro to free agency Friday and DFA'd Nathaniel Lowe in November, leaving only the oft-injured Triston Casas (knee) to compete for at-bats. Contreras' loss of catcher eligibility reduces his fantasy appeal considerably, but he showed in his final season in St. Louis that he can still be moderately productive, slashing .257/.344/.447 with 20 home runs, 80 RBI, 70 runs and five stolen bases over 562 plate appearances. He ended the campaign on the IL due to a right shoulder strain, though the injury isn't expected to impact his readiness for spring training.

The Rays acquired Bodine, Slater de Brun, Michael Forret and Austin Overn from the Orioles in exchange for Shane Baz on Friday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

The 22-year-old Bodine was selected 30th overall during the 2025 First-Year Player Draft by Baltimore and will now change organizations after just one professional season. He had a .757 OPS in 11 games for Single-A Delmarva in 2025 and should begin 2026 in the lower minors for Tampa Bay.

The Rockies signed Sullivan to a minor-league contract Thursday that includes an invitation to spring training, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Sullivan spent nearly all of the 2025 season at the Triple-A level between the Padres and Pirates organization, slashing only .207/.264/.325 in 75 contests. A career .204/.250/.291 hitter over parts of three big-league seasons, Sullivan will turn 32 in February and is likely to begin the season at Triple-A Albuquerque.

The Marlins re-signed Navarreto to a minor-league contract Monday.

Navarreto elected free agency last month after being outrighted off the Marlins' 40-man roster, but he's found his way back into the organization. The 30-year-old got into eight games with Miami in 2025, going 4-for-14 with one home run. Navarreto is likely pegged for Triple-A Jacksonville to begin the 2026 campaign.

The Orioles outrighted Handley to Triple-A Norfolk on Wednesday, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.

Handley was removed from the 40-man roster last week, but he has cleared waivers and will remain in the organization as catching depth. The 27-year-old went just 3-for-41 at the dish during his time in the majors in 2025.

The Mets claimed Romo off waivers from the Orioles on Wednesday.

Romo has bounced around from the Rockies to the Orioles and now the Mets this month. The switch-hitting catcher is just 9-for-54 at the plate during his brief time in the majors. With Francisco Alvarez and Luis Torrens slated to open 2026 as the Mets' catching duo, Romo is likely to begin the 2026 campaign at Triple-A Syracuse.