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On This Day in Baseball History: January 31
Sources Lahman People + MLB StatsAPI0 debuts122 transactions
Every major-league debut, final game, transaction, birth and death recorded for January 31, newest first. Player names link to career pages where one exists, and each season links onward to that year’s awards and postseason archives.
Debuts0
Final games0
Transactions122
Born64
Died37
| Year | Player | That season |
|---|---|---|
| No major-league debuts are recorded for this date. | ||
| Year | Player | That season |
|---|---|---|
| No final games are recorded for this date. | ||
| Year | Move | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | San Diego Padres signed free agent RHP Michael Flynn to a minor league contract. 2026 transaction archive | - |  |
| 2026 | San Francisco Giants signed free agent LHP Santiago Guerrero to a minor league contract. 2026 transaction archive | - |  |
| 2025 | Chicago Cubs traded SS Luis Vazquez to Baltimore Orioles for cash. 2025 transaction archive |  |  |
| 2025 | Arizona Diamondbacks signed free agent LHP José Castillo to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training. 2025 transaction archive | - |  |
| 2025 | Arizona Diamondbacks signed free agent CF Garrett Hampson to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training. 2025 transaction archive | - | |
| 2025 | Arizona Diamondbacks signed free agent 3B Ildemaro Vargas to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training. 2025 transaction archive | - | |
| 2025 | New York Mets signed free agent 3B Nick Madrigal. 2025 transaction archive | - |  |
| 2025 | Kansas City Royals signed free agent RHP Carlos Estévez. 2025 transaction archive | - |  |
| 2025 | Philadelphia Phillies signed free agent RHP Andrew Bechtold to a minor league contract. 2025 transaction archive | - |  |
| 2025 | Texas Rangers signed free agent RHP Tim Brennan to a minor league contract. 2025 transaction archive | - |  |
| 2024 | Pittsburgh Pirates signed free agent LHP Aroldis Chapman. 2024 transaction archive | - |  |
| 2024 | Milwaukee Brewers signed free agent 3B Christian Arroyo to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training. 2024 transaction archive | - |  |
| 2024 | Los Angeles Angels traded 3B Trey Cabbage to Houston Astros for RHP Carlos Espinosa. 2024 transaction archive |  |  |
| 2024 | Cleveland Guardians signed free agent RHP Tyler Zuber to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training. 2024 transaction archive | - |  |
| 2024 | Boston Red Sox signed free agent SS Joe Dunand to a minor league contract. 2024 transaction archive | - |  |
| 2024 | Chicago Cubs signed free agent LHP Richard Lovelady to a minor league contract. 2024 transaction archive | - | |
| 2024 | Chicago Cubs signed free agent RHP Sam McWilliams to a minor league contract. 2024 transaction archive | - | |
| 2024 | Los Angeles Angels signed free agent CF Caleb Hamilton to a minor league contract. 2024 transaction archive | - | |
| 2024 | Minnesota Twins signed free agent RHP Joe Gunkel to a minor league contract. 2024 transaction archive | - |  |
| 2024 | Minnesota Twins signed free agent OF Agustin Ruiz to a minor league contract. 2024 transaction archive | - | |
| 2024 | Oakland Athletics signed free agent RHP Dylan Hall to a minor league contract. 2024 transaction archive | - |  |
| 2024 | New York Yankees signed free agent 3B Jose Rojas to a minor league contract. 2024 transaction archive | - |  |
| 2024 | San Diego Padres signed free agent LHP Austin Davis to a minor league contract. 2024 transaction archive | - | |
| 2024 | Atlanta Braves signed free agent RHP Parker Dunshee to a minor league contract. 2024 transaction archive | - |  |
| 2024 | Houston Astros signed free agent SS Jeremy Arocho to a minor league contract. 2024 transaction archive | - | |
| 2024 | Minnesota Twins signed free agent RHP Beau Burrows to a minor league contract. 2024 transaction archive | - | |
| 2024 | Minnesota Twins signed free agent IF Ramiro Dominguez to a minor league contract. 2024 transaction archive | - | |
| 2024 | Seattle Mariners signed free agent RHP Danery Meyer to a minor league contract. 2024 transaction archive | - |  |
| 2024 | Minnesota Twins signed free agent RHP Ramiro Villanueva to a minor league contract. 2024 transaction archive | - | |
| 2024 | Seattle Mariners signed free agent RHP Deybi Castro to a minor league contract. 2024 transaction archive | - | |
| 2024 | Seattle Mariners signed free agent RHP Mathias Sato to a minor league contract. 2024 transaction archive | - | |
| 2023 | Boston Red Sox signed free agent LHP Matt Dermody to a minor league contract. 2023 transaction archive | - | |
| 2023 | Chicago Cubs signed free agent RHP Curtis Taylor to a minor league contract. 2023 transaction archive | - | |
| 2023 | Minnesota Twins signed free agent RHP Nolan Blackwood to a minor league contract. 2023 transaction archive | - | |
| 2023 | Toronto Blue Jays signed free agent C Jamie Ritchie to a minor league contract. 2023 transaction archive | - |  |
| 2023 | New York Mets signed free agent LHP Rogert Cortez to a minor league contract. 2023 transaction archive | - | |
| 2023 | San Diego Padres signed free agent SS Wander Javier to a minor league contract. 2023 transaction archive | - | |
| 2023 | Washington Nationals signed free agent LHP Henry Moreno to a minor league contract. 2023 transaction archive | - |  |
| 2023 | Seattle Mariners signed free agent RHP Francisco Pazos to a minor league contract. 2023 transaction archive | - | |
| 2022 | Chicago Cubs signed free agent C John Hicks to a minor league contract. 2022 transaction archive | - | |
| 2022 | Los Angeles Dodgers signed free agent RHP Sam Gaviglio to a minor league contract. 2022 transaction archive | - |  |
| 2022 | Miami Marlins signed free agent RHP Darwin Rodriguez to a minor league contract. 2022 transaction archive | - |  |
| 2022 | Milwaukee Brewers signed free agent RHP Daniel Corniel to a minor league contract. 2022 transaction archive | - | |
| 2022 | San Francisco Giants signed free agent RHP Miguel Ramos to a minor league contract. 2022 transaction archive | - | |
| 2021 | Minnesota Twins signed free agent SS Andrelton Simmons. 2021 transaction archive | - | |
| 2020 | New York Mets signed free agent 1B Matt Adams to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training. 2020 transaction archive | - | |
| 2020 | Pittsburgh Pirates signed free agent LHP Robbie Erlin to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training. 2020 transaction archive | - | |
| 2020 | Pittsburgh Pirates signed free agent LHP Derek Holland to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training. 2020 transaction archive | - | |
| 2020 | Pittsburgh Pirates signed free agent C Andrew Susac to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training. 2020 transaction archive | - | |
| 2020 | Pittsburgh Pirates signed free agent RF Charlie Tilson to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training. 2020 transaction archive | - | |
| 2020 | San Francisco Giants signed free agent 1B Darin Ruf to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training. 2020 transaction archive | - | |
| 2020 | San Francisco Giants signed free agent 3B Pablo Sandoval to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training. 2020 transaction archive | - | |
| 2020 | San Francisco Giants signed free agent 2B Yolmer Sanchez to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training. 2020 transaction archive | - | |
| 2020 | Pittsburgh Pirates signed free agent SS JT Riddle. 2020 transaction archive | - | |
| 2020 | Milwaukee Brewers signed free agent 3B Andres Blanco to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training. 2020 transaction archive | - | |
| 2020 | Milwaukee Brewers signed free agent RHP Mike Morin to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training. 2020 transaction archive | - | |
| 2020 | Detroit Tigers signed free agent 1B Kennys Vargas to a minor league contract. 2020 transaction archive | - |  |
| 2020 | Texas Rangers signed free agent RHP Eiroon Flores to a minor league contract. 2020 transaction archive | - | |
| 2020 | Arizona Diamondbacks signed free agent 3B Mike Ahmed to a minor league contract. 2020 transaction archive | - | |
| 2020 | Oakland Athletics signed free agent RHP Zac Reininger to a minor league contract. 2020 transaction archive | - | |
| 2019 | Arizona Diamondbacks signed free agent RHP Greg Holland. 2019 transaction archive | - | |
| 2019 | Detroit Tigers signed free agent RHP Lisandro Marin to a minor league contract. 2019 transaction archive | - | |
| 2019 | Kansas City Royals signed free agent RHP Brandon Marklund to a minor league contract. 2019 transaction archive | - | |
| 2019 | Kansas City Royals signed free agent IF Angel Franco to a minor league contract. 2019 transaction archive | - | |
| 2018 | Pittsburgh Pirates traded cash and LHP Daniel Zamora to New York Mets for LHP Josh Smoker. 2018 transaction archive | | |
| 2018 | Arizona Diamondbacks signed free agent C Alex Avila. 2018 transaction archive | - | |
| 2018 | Kansas City Royals signed free agent RHP Carlos Benua to a minor league contract. 2018 transaction archive | - | |
| 2018 | Colorado Rockies signed free agent C Gabriel Gil to a minor league contract. 2018 transaction archive | - |  |
| 2018 | Texas Rangers signed free agent C Courtney Smith to a minor league contract. 2018 transaction archive | - | |
| 2018 | Philadelphia Phillies signed free agent SS Ellian Rondon to a minor league contract. 2018 transaction archive | - | |
| 2018 | Los Angeles Angels signed free agent LHP Ian Krol to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training. 2018 transaction archive | - | |
| 2018 | Washington Nationals signed free agent SS Reid Brignac to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training. 2018 transaction archive | - | |
| 2018 | Tampa Bay Rays signed free agent C Xorge Carrillo to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training. 2018 transaction archive | - |  |
| 2018 | Chicago Cubs signed free agent OF Efren Navarro to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training. 2018 transaction archive | - | |
| 2018 | St. Louis Cardinals signed free agent OF Victor Roache to a minor league contract. 2018 transaction archive | - |  |
| 2018 | Kansas City Royals signed free agent LHP Nolan Becker to a minor league contract. 2018 transaction archive | - | |
| 2018 | Kansas City Royals signed free agent RHP Jacob Condra-Bogan to a minor league contract. 2018 transaction archive | - | |
| 2017 | Seattle Mariners signed free agent LHP Nick Hagadone to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training. 2017 transaction archive | - | |
| 2017 | Washington Nationals signed free agent RHP Matt Albers to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training. 2017 transaction archive | - | |
| 2017 | Washington Nationals signed free agent RHP Joe Nathan to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training. 2017 transaction archive | - | |
| 2017 | Washington Nationals signed free agent RHP Vance Worley to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training. 2017 transaction archive | - | |
| 2017 | Texas Rangers signed free agent SS Arturo Lara to a minor league contract. 2017 transaction archive | - | |
| 2017 | Tampa Bay Rays signed free agent RHP Cory Rasmus to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training. 2017 transaction archive | - | |
| 2017 | Chicago Cubs signed free agent RHP Williams Perez to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training. 2017 transaction archive | - | |
| 2016 | San Diego Padres signed free agent RHP Seth Rosin to a minor league contract. 2016 transaction archive | - | |
| 2015 | San Diego Padres signed free agent C Wil Nieves to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training. 2015 transaction archive | - | |
| 2015 | San Francisco Giants signed free agent RHP Kevin Pucetas to a minor league contract. 2015 transaction archive | - | |
| 2014 | Cincinnati Reds signed free agent LF Roger Bernadina to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training. 2014 transaction archive | - |  |
| 2014 | Miami Marlins signed free agent RF Reed Johnson to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training. 2014 transaction archive | - | |
| 2014 | New York Mets signed free agent 1B Matt Clark to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training. 2014 transaction archive | - | |
| 2014 | Los Angeles Angels signed free agent C Yorvit Torrealba to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training. 2014 transaction archive | - | |
| 2014 | Arizona Diamondbacks signed free agent RHP Brian Broderick to a minor league contract. 2014 transaction archive | - | |
| 2014 | Atlanta Braves signed free agent RHP Luis Mora to a minor league contract. 2014 transaction archive | - | |
| 2014 | Baltimore Orioles signed free agent SS Alex Gonzalez to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training. 2014 transaction archive | - | |
| 2014 | Colorado Rockies signed free agent RHP Owen Dew to a minor league contract. 2014 transaction archive | - | |
| 2014 | Colorado Rockies signed free agent LHP Garrett Schlecht to a minor league contract. 2014 transaction archive | - | |
| 2014 | Detroit Tigers signed free agent 1B Lance Durham to a minor league contract. 2014 transaction archive | - | |
| 2014 | Kansas City Royals signed free agent C Troy Snitker to a minor league contract. 2014 transaction archive | - | |
| 2014 | Texas Rangers signed free agent LHP Martire Garcia to a minor league contract. 2014 transaction archive | - | |
| 2014 | Boston Red Sox signed free agent LF Corey Brown to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training. 2014 transaction archive | - | |
| 2014 | Pittsburgh Pirates signed free agent RHP Julio Eusebio to a minor league contract. 2014 transaction archive | - | |
| 2014 | Pittsburgh Pirates signed free agent RF Mister Luciano to a minor league contract. 2014 transaction archive | - | |
| 2014 | Pittsburgh Pirates signed free agent RHP Alex Martinez to a minor league contract. 2014 transaction archive | - | |
| 2013 | New York Mets signed free agent RHP LaTroy Hawkins to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training. 2013 transaction archive | - | |
| 2013 | Milwaukee Brewers signed free agent RHP Alfredo Figaro to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training. 2013 transaction archive | - | |
| 2013 | Cleveland Indians signed free agent RHP Matt Capps to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training. 2013 transaction archive | - | |
| 2013 | New York Yankees signed free agent 1B Dan Johnson to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training. 2013 transaction archive | - | |
| 2013 | Boston Red Sox signed free agent 1B Lyle Overbay to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training. 2013 transaction archive | - | |
| 2013 | Seattle Mariners signed free agent RHP Moises Hernandez to a minor league contract. 2013 transaction archive | - | |
| 2013 | St. Louis Cardinals signed free agent RF Chad Huffman to a minor league contract. 2013 transaction archive | - | |
| 2012 | Tampa Bay Rays traded 3B Russ Canzler to Cleveland Indians. 2012 transaction archive | | |
| 2012 | Philadelphia Phillies signed free agent RHP Chad Qualls. 2012 transaction archive | - | |
| 2012 | Houston Astros signed free agent Livan Hernandez. 2012 transaction archive | - | |
| 2012 | Colorado Rockies signed free agent 2B Hernan Iribarren to a minor league contract. 2012 transaction archive | - | |
| 2012 | Baltimore Orioles signed free agent LHP Yoshihiro Doi to a minor league contract. 2012 transaction archive | - | |
| 2012 | Washington Nationals signed free agent RHP Chad Durbin to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training. 2012 transaction archive | - | |
| 2011 | Atlanta Braves signed free agent RHP Rodrigo Lopez to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training. 2011 transaction archive | - | |
| 2011 | Seattle Mariners signed free agent RHP Jamey Wright to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training. 2011 transaction archive | - | |
| 2011 | Florida Marlins signed free agent 3B Greg Dobbs to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training. 2011 transaction archive | - | |
| 2011 | Tampa Bay Rays signed free agent LF Johnny Damon. 2011 transaction archive | - | |
| 2011 | Tampa Bay Rays signed free agent DH Manny Ramirez. 2011 transaction archive | - | |
| 2011 | Atlanta Braves signed free agent RHP Marcos Cuesto to a minor league contract. 2011 transaction archive | - | |
| Year | Player |
|---|---|
| 2001 | Zach Neto |
| 1999 | Matt Svanson |
| 1998 | Kyle Backhus |
| 1994 | Cole Irvin |
| 1994 | Jake Thompson |
| 1994 | Robert Whalen |
| 1993 | Locke St. John |
| 1992 | Alex Claudio |
| 1991 | Guillermo Heredia |
| 1991 | Tyler Kinley |
| 1989 | Tommy La Stella |
| 1987 | Caleb Thielbar |
| 1987 | Melky Mesa |
| 1984 | Josh Johnson |
| 1982 | Brad Thompson |
| 1982 | Yuniesky Betancourt |
| 1970 | Chris Pritchett |
| 1970 | Joel Bennett |
| 1968 | Steve Phoenix |
| 1963 | Dave Cochrane |
| 1963 | Francisco Oliveras |
| 1958 | Rafael Santana |
| 1955 | Ted Power |
| 1953 | Mike Rowland |
| 1950 | Bob Apodaca |
| 1949 | Fred Kendall |
| 1949 | Jim Willoughby |
| 1949 | Mark Ballinger |
| 1947 | Nolan Ryan |
| 1931 | Ernie Banks |
| 1931 | Hank Aguirre |
| 1929 | Duke Maas |
| 1926 | Tom Alston |
| 1919 | Jackie Robinson |
| 1919 | Ken Gables |
| 1918 | Sid Peterson |
| 1914 | Charlie Wiedemeyer |
| 1914 | Mel Mazzera |
| 1912 | Jerry McQuaig |
| 1909 | Emil Planeta |
| 1903 | Abie Hood |
| 1900 | Honey Barnes |
| 1899 | Don Songer |
| 1898 | Webb Schultz |
| 1896 | Charlie Robertson |
| 1896 | Pinky Hargrave |
| 1895 | Jimmy Zinn |
| 1894 | Stuffy Stewart |
| 1893 | George Burns |
| 1892 | Steamboat Williams |
| 1891 | Tex McDonald |
| 1891 | Tim Hendryx |
| 1890 | Goat Cochran |
| 1889 | Carl Ray |
| 1889 | Ray Brown |
| 1885 | Drummond Brown |
| 1885 | Eddie Hohnhorst |
| 1882 | Alva Williams |
| 1880 | Walter Morris |
| 1870 | Jot Goar |
| 1866 | Pat Flaherty |
| 1863 | Rasty Wright |
| 1862 | Jim Manning |
| 1845 | Bob Ferguson |
| Year | Player | Age |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Al McBean | 85 |
| 2024 | John Pregenzer | 91 |
| 2023 | Dave Elder | 47 |
| 2022 | Jerry Snyder | 92 |
| 2018 | Oscar Gamble | 68 |
| 2013 | Fred Whitfield | 75 |
| 2013 | Tony Pierce | 67 |
| 2012 | Rick Behenna | 51 |
| 2009 | Bob Scherbarth | 83 |
| 2005 | Bill Voiselle | 86 |
| 2002 | Harry Chiti | 69 |
| 1999 | Norm Zauchin | 69 |
| 1985 | Joe Bradshaw | 87 |
| 1983 | Sam Gibson | 83 |
| 1981 | John Dowd | 90 |
| 1980 | Ed Head | 62 |
| 1971 | Steve Yerkes | 82 |
| 1966 | Pat Donahue | 81 |
| 1963 | Ossie Vitt | 73 |
| 1961 | Guy Cantrell | 56 |
| 1958 | Harry O'Donnell | 63 |
| 1957 | Chick Maynard | 60 |
| 1956 | Buck Weaver | 65 |
| 1953 | Mike Handiboe | 65 |
| 1948 | Clarence Lehr | 61 |
| 1947 | Johnny Kling | 71 |
| 1942 | Ed Phelps | 62 |
| 1942 | Henry Larkin | 82 |
| 1940 | Red Fisher | 52 |
| 1938 | Charlie Chech | 59 |
| 1938 | Jim Gray | 75 |
| 1933 | Beany Jacobson | 51 |
| 1926 | Lou Bierbauer | 60 |
| 1917 | Pete O'Brien | 39 |
| 1913 | Joseph Dorsey | - |
| 1904 | Dan Mahoney | 39 |
| 1900 | Ed Stratton | - |
About these records
Every dated event on this page is read directly from the source tables: debuts, final games, birth dates and death dates from the SABR / Sean Lahman baseball database (2025 edition, People table), used under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0, and transactions from the official MLB StatsAPI transactions archive captured through 2026-10-22. Nothing is inferred: a record appears here only when the source carries a complete month and day for January 31.
Honesty notes: the staged People table records complete dates or none, and no partial dates had to be excluded. Missing dates are not unknowns everywhere: an empty death date means the player is living (10,918 rows), an empty final-game date means no end date is recorded (1,932 rows), and 398 rows have no birth date. Early records reach back to the 1870s; 19th-century dates reflect the best retrospective research in the source and are shown exactly as recorded. Award winners and postseason series are staged by season with no calendar day in the source, so they are linked from each season above instead of being dated here. The transaction window covers 2011 to 2026 only. Player names link to career pages for every player who has one.
See the sources page for every dataset behind Legends Deck.