MLB Player News

The Marlins traded Myers (knee) to the Reds on Saturday in exchange for Ethan O'Donnell.

After signing JJ Bleday to a one-year deal earlier Saturday, the Reds will continue to bolster their outfield unit by bringing in Myers. The 29-year-old received his first extended look in the majors in 2025 and slashed .235/.291/.326 with six homers, 31 RBI, 29 runs scored and 18 steals across 333 plate appearances. His right-handed bat and career .816 OPS against southpaws may enable him to work in the short side of a platoon in the Reds' outfield. Otherwise, he'll provide depth to the big-league bench or head down to Triple-A Louisville.

Bleday signed a one-year, $1.4 million contract with the Reds on Saturday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Bleday was let go by the Athletics earlier this offseason after slashing .212/.294/.404 with 14 homers, 39 RBI and 48 RBI across 344 MLB plate appearances in 2025. The 28-year-old slugger will provide the Reds with another left-handed bat in the outfield alongside Will Benson and TJ Friedl, but there's no guarantee that Bleday will get to start regularly against right-handed pitchers.

The Pirates signed Fletcher to a minor-league contract Monday, that includes an invitation to spring trainingAlex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

Fletcher elected free agency back in October after being removed from the White Sox' 40-man roster and he'll now head back to the National League. The 28-year-old has slashed only .233/.280/.325 in parts of three big-league seasons and, even with the Pirates' lack of outfield depth, will likely begin the 2026 season at Triple-A Indianapolis.

Burleson will become the Cardinals' everyday first baseman in 2026 following the trade of Willson Contreras (shoulder) to the Red Sox, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Burleson has primarily played the outfield in pro ball, but he has ample experience at first base, as well, having made 38 starts there during the 2025 season. The 27-year-old will have dual eligibility in fantasy leagues in 2026, but it's unclear whether he will see enough action in the outfield to retain eligibility there heading into 2027. The left-handed-hitting Burleson greatly improved versus left-handed pitching in 2025 -- slashing an adequate .271/.310/.398 -- and the Cardinals intend to give him everyday reps in 2026 rather than saddling him with a platoon partner.

The Giants designated Meckler for assignment Friday, Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

With Adrian Houser's signing becoming official Friday, Meckler will end up as the roster casualty necessary to make room on San Francisco's 40-man roster. The 25-year-old outfielder slashed .287/.390/.370 across 401 plate appearances at Triple-A Sacramento this past season, but he hasn't appeared in an MLB game since 2023. His ability to play across the outfield and at second base will help his chances of being claimed by another club. However, his chances of contributing in the majors are slim.

The Pirates designated Luciano for assignment Friday, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Just two weeks after being claimed from San Francisco, Luciano will once again enter the waiver process following Pittsburgh's acquisitions of Brandon Lowe, Jake Mangum and Mason Montgomery on Friday. The 24-year-old Luciano -- once considered a top prospect in baseball -- could still be an attractive waiver target for other clubs despite his career .590 OPS in the big leagues.

The Pirates acquired Mangum from the Rays on Friday in a three-team trade, Chandler Rome and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic report.

Mangum had a successful rookie season in 2025 with the Rays, slashing .296/.330/.368 with three home runs and 27 stolen bases. He'll turn 30 in March but is under team control through 2030. Mangum could be the favorite to open the 2026 season as the Pirates' starting left fielder, and he's capable of handling all three outfield spots.

The Cardinals outrighted Koperniak to Triple-A Memphis on Friday.

While no longer on the 40-man roster, Koperniak will remain in the organization after passing through waivers unclaimed. The 27-year-old outfielder is coming off a poor 2025 season at Memphis, slashing .249/.322/.387 across 537 plate appearances.

The Diamondbacks acquired Owusu-Asiedu from the Phillies on Friday in exchange for Kyle Backhus, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Owusu-Asiedu slashed .258/.366/.385 with seven home runs and 33 stolen bases over 107 contests between Single-A Clearwater and High-A Jersey Shore in 2025. The 22-year-old could move up to the Double-A level in 2026.

Austin signed a one-year, major-league contract with the Cubs on Thursday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Since taking his last MLB at-bat in 2019, Austin has spent the past six seasons playing in Japan for the Yokohama Bay Stars of Nippon Professional Baseball. After posting a .945 OPS during his time overseas, the 34-year-old will now return stateside to join the Cubs and could work as a platoon partner with Moises Ballesteros at designated hitter.