Aside from the two trades made by the Rockies on January 28, there were other moves made on the day. Milwaukee brought in another catcher for their Spring Training roster, as Reese McGuire will look to crack the Brewers’ 2026 camp. Meanwhile, in Los Angeles, the Angels grab another reliever.
McGuire signs with Brewers
The Brewers signed catcher Reese McGuire to a Minor League deal. That deal also comes with an invite to Spring Training, adding one more to a prospect-heavy group that was announced on the 27th.
The 30-year-old got into 45 games with division rival Chicago last year. McGuire hit nine home runs and was productive when he saw time in what was a crowded catching depth chart for the Cubs.
McGuire will vie for a spot on the Brewers’ Opening Day roster. William Contreras is locked in as the team’s starter. However, the only other catcher on the 40-man roster is Jeferson Quero, a notable prospect in the Brewers’ system.
Angles add another reliever
The Angels claimed reliever Kaleb Ort off waivers from the Yankees.
Ort, who was claimed earlier this month by the Yankees, is a hard-thrower who has MLB experience. He’ll join an Angels bullpen that includes newcomers Drew Pomeranz, Jordan Romano, Kirby Yates, and Nick Sandlin, the latter of whom was recently signed to a Minor League deal.
Outfielder Wade Meckler was designated for assignment.
Rockies DFA Fernandez
As we noted on January 28, the Rockies swung two trades on the day. It also meant that Yanquiel Fernandez became the odd man out on the 40-man roster, as he was designated for assignment.
Fernandez, a 23-year-old outfielder, slashed .225/.265/.348 with four home runs on 147 plate appearances for the Rockies this past season. He hit 13 home runs in 64 games for Triple-A Albuquerque.
There are flaws in Fernandez’s game. He’s a prodigious power hitter who made a major impression three years ago when he hit 25 home runs over 117 Minor League contests. Not to mention, his average arm strength (97.2 MPH) ranked in the 100th percentile.
However, he’s not a fast runner. And, Fernandez regularly expanded the zone, both in the Minors and at the Major League level.
Other moves
Washington claimed infielder Tsung-Che Cheng off waivers and designated pitcher Konnor Pilkington for assignment. Additionally, catcher Riley Adams was outrighted to Triple-A Rochester.
The Reds signed pitcher Darren McCaughan to a Minor League deal, which also comes with an invite to Spring Training. McCaughan will join one of several ex-Major Leaguers who will be in the Reds camp come January.
Left-hander Jhonathan Diaz was outrighted to Triple-A Tacoma by the Seattle Mariners.
Check out more of our MLB coverage.