MLB Player News

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

After surging to a 23-3 record over the past 26 games to put itself back in the thick of the playoff race, Boston will shore up one of the few remaining weaknesses on its roster by bringing in a bona fide No. 1 catcher in Rutschman. The 28-year-old backstop has been on the shelf since July 20 due to left wrist inflammation, but he resumed hitting over the weekend and is expected to head out on a rehab assignment during the upcoming week. If all goes well, Rutschman could be ready to make his Boston debut at some point during the team's nine-game, three-city road trip that begins Friday. Before going down with the injury, Rutschman was in the midst of a resurgent 2026 campaign with the Orioles, slashing .251/.331/.433 with eight home runs and a career-low 14.1 percent strikeout rate over 284 plate appearances.

The Rays optioned Cook to Triple-A Durham on Monday.

Cook allowed three runs with a 2:2 K:BB over 3.2 innings in his first two major-league appearances. He's being sent down in order to free up a spot on the active roster for right-hander Freddy Peralta, who was acquired from the Mets on Sunday.

The Royals acquired Duran from the Dodgers on Monday in exchange for Kris Bubic (elbow/shoulder), Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Duran has spent the entirety of the 2026 season at Triple-A Oklahoma City, where he's collected a 3.38 ERA and 61:28 K:BB over 42.2 innings. The 25-year-old made one appearance in the majors with the Athletics in 2025, yielding three runs while recording only one out.

The White Sox designated Davitt for assignment Monday.

The move clears a spot on the 40-man roster for outfielder Brenton Doyle, who was acquired from the Rockies on Monday. Davitt has allowed one run over two innings during his brief time in the majors this season and holds a 6.22 ERA and 64:25 K:BB across 59.1 frames at Triple-A Charlotte.

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.

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.

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

Macko has made a full-time move to the bullpen this season, posting a 4.91 ERA and 23:10 K:BB over 22 innings for the Blue Jays and a 4.07 ERA and 29:11 K:BB across 24.1 frames with Triple-A Buffalo. The 25-year-old had been optioned to the minors last week, but it's unclear whether the Ranger intend to put him on the big-league roster or send him to Triple-A Round Rock.

The Red Sox and Orioles "have a deal arranged" for Rutschman (wrist), Buster Olney of ESPN reports.

Olney adds that the potential trade still needs Boston's final approval before it goes through. Rutschman is currently on the 10-day injured list due to left wrist inflammation, so the Red Sox must pore over the catcher's medicals before signing off on a trade. The switch-hitting catcher resumed hitting this past weekend and could be ready to start a rehab assignment during the upcoming week. Rutschman has had a nice bounce-back season, slashing .251/.331/.433 with eight home runs while playing his usual stellar defense. He's under team control through the end of the 2027 season.

The Guardians designated Brito for assignment Monday, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

A spot on the 40-man roster needed to be freed for the arrival of Jo Adell. Brito posted just a .505 OPS in 15 games for the Guardians earlier this season and has slashed just .237/.351/.394 with nine homers this year at Triple-A Columbus. However, Brito is only 24 and boasts a career .373 on-base percentage in the minors. There will likely be interest in the infielder on waivers.