August 31 is a significant day on the MLB calendar. It’s the last chance for Major League teams to add outside reinforcements for the playoff push and have those players eligible for the playoffs. The White Sox & Yankees were among the teams to take advantage, adding players.
White Sox add two outfielders
The White Sox made two trades on August 31, just before the postseason roster cut-off deadline. Chicago acquired Jake Cave from the Rays and Tommy Pham from the Philadelphia Phillies. The two were acquired for cash.
Neither Cave nor Pham was on their respective clubs’ 40-man rosters at the time of the trade, making the two eligible for the postseason.
Cave, a left-handed hitting outfielder who spent time in Korea last season, spent 2026 in the Rays organization. He has spent parts of seven seasons in the Majors but has last played in the big leagues in 2024.
As for Pham, he saw time in the Majors early on in the year with the Mets. However, he was cut after 14 plate appearances.
Yankees grab reliever
The Yankees claimed pitcher John Schreiber from the Kansas City Royals.
Schreiber, a funky veteran right-handed reliever, spent the past few seasons with the Royals after time with the Boston Red Sox. He posted a 3.65 ERA over 55 games (49.1 IP) this season with the Royals.
Peck and Serna promoted
The Marlins and Tigers both promoted infield prospects. Jared Serna is up with the Mets, while John Peck was selected by Detroit.
Serna was one of several prospects acquired in 2024 as part of the Jazz Chisholm Jr. trade. He slashed .221/.303/.378 with 12 home runs and 22 extra-base hits with Triple-A Jacksonville this season. He’s shown pop throughout his Minor League career. The 5’7” infielder’s high-water mark for home runs in a season was 19 in 2023.
Peck, meanwhile, spent one week in Triple-A Toledo before moving up to the Majors. He’s never walked a lot but the former seventh-round pick just hits. The 24-year-old batted .301 across two levels last season and slashed .285/.328/.511 with 10 home runs and 30 extra-base hits over 58 games with Double-A Erie.
Other notes
Blue Jays pitcher Simeon Woods Richardson was sent outright to Triple-A Buffalo.
Yankees pitcher Justin Topa elected free agency.
Tigers reliever Tanner Rainey was designated for assignment, as was Orioles infielder Luis Vazquez.
Additionally, the Orioles claimed Luis Robert Jr. off waivers from the Mets. Check out more of our MLB coverage.