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On This Day in Baseball History: May 23
Sources Lahman People + MLB StatsAPI59 debuts75 transactions
Every major-league debut, final game, transaction, birth and death recorded for May 23, newest first. Player names link to career pages where one exists, and each season links onward to that year’s awards and postseason archives.
Debuts59
Final games67
Transactions75
Born64
Died30
| Year | Move | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | New York Yankees signed free agent RHP Peter Strzelecki to a minor league contract. 2026 transaction archive | - |  |
| 2026 | Minnesota Twins released RHP Justin Topa. 2026 transaction archive | - |  |
| 2026 | Washington Nationals signed free agent RHP Noah Millikan to a minor league contract. 2026 transaction archive | - |  |
| 2026 | Washington Nationals signed free agent RHP L.J. Waco to a minor league contract. 2026 transaction archive | - | |
| 2025 | Cincinnati Reds signed free agent LHP Malvin Garcia to a minor league contract. 2025 transaction archive | - |  |
| 2025 | Cincinnati Reds signed free agent 2B Garrett Hampson. 2025 transaction archive | - | |
| 2025 | Colorado Rockies signed free agent RHP Biembenido Brito to a minor league contract. 2025 transaction archive | - |  |
| 2025 | Arizona Diamondbacks signed free agent OF Erickson Ayena to a minor league contract. 2025 transaction archive | - |  |
| 2025 | Chicago Cubs signed free agent RHP Fleury Soriano to a minor league contract. 2025 transaction archive | - |  |
| 2025 | Tampa Bay Rays signed free agent RHP Jhendry Ciriaco to a minor league contract. 2025 transaction archive | - |  |
| 2025 | Detroit Tigers signed free agent OF Stephen Hrustich to a minor league contract. 2025 transaction archive | - |  |
| 2025 | Minnesota Twins signed free agent RHP Jesus Gomez to a minor league contract. 2025 transaction archive | - | |
| 2025 | Philadelphia Phillies signed free agent RHP Cristhian Espinosa to a minor league contract. 2025 transaction archive | - |  |
| 2025 | Atlanta Braves signed free agent OF Elisandro Ramirez to a minor league contract. 2025 transaction archive | - |  |
| 2025 | Minnesota Twins signed free agent RHP Rey Pacheco to a minor league contract. 2025 transaction archive | - | |
| 2024 | Colorado Rockies signed free agent LHP Juan Hillman to a minor league contract. 2024 transaction archive | - | |
| 2024 | San Francisco Giants signed free agent RHP Josh Wolf to a minor league contract. 2024 transaction archive | - |  |
| 2024 | Colorado Rockies signed free agent OF Carlos Renzullo to a minor league contract. 2024 transaction archive | - | |
| 2024 | Seattle Mariners signed free agent LHP Dallas Keuchel to a minor league contract. 2024 transaction archive | - |  |
| 2024 | New York Mets signed free agent LHP Darling Felix to a minor league contract. 2024 transaction archive | - |  |
| 2024 | Miami Marlins signed free agent SS Luis Leon to a minor league contract. 2024 transaction archive | - |  |
| 2023 | Baltimore Orioles signed free agent CF Ben DeLuzio to a minor league contract. 2023 transaction archive | - |  |
| 2023 | Colorado Rockies signed free agent RHP Luis Cessa to a minor league contract. 2023 transaction archive | - | |
| 2023 | Cincinnati Reds signed free agent RHP Shea Spitzbarth to a minor league contract. 2023 transaction archive | - | |
| 2023 | Detroit Tigers signed free agent 2B Luis Watter to a minor league contract. 2023 transaction archive | - | |
| 2023 | San Diego Padres signed free agent RHP Angel Sanchez to a minor league contract. 2023 transaction archive | - |  |
| 2023 | San Diego Padres signed free agent RHP Jesus Lopez to a minor league contract. 2023 transaction archive | - | |
| 2023 | San Francisco Giants signed free agent RHP Cameron Cotter to a minor league contract. 2023 transaction archive | - | |
| 2023 | San Francisco Giants signed free agent C Anyelo Gonzalez to a minor league contract. 2023 transaction archive | - | |
| 2023 | Minnesota Twins signed free agent RHP Jacob Wosinski to a minor league contract. 2023 transaction archive | - | |
| 2023 | Houston Astros signed free agent RHP Porfirio Ramos to a minor league contract. 2023 transaction archive | - |  |
| 2022 | Seattle Mariners released RF Steven Souza Jr.. 2022 transaction archive | - | |
| 2022 | Los Angeles Dodgers traded RHP Jean Herrera to Arizona Diamondbacks. 2022 transaction archive |  | |
| 2022 | Houston Astros signed free agent RHP Franklin Gil to a minor league contract. 2022 transaction archive | - | |
| 2019 | San Francisco Giants signed free agent RHP Keith Weisenberg to a minor league contract. 2019 transaction archive | - | |
| 2019 | Los Angeles Dodgers traded 3B Mike Ahmed to Seattle Mariners for cash. 2019 transaction archive | | |
| 2019 | Chicago Cubs signed free agent RHP Enmanuel De La Cruz to a minor league contract. 2019 transaction archive | - | |
| 2019 | Chicago Cubs signed free agent RHP Marco Prieto to a minor league contract. 2019 transaction archive | - | |
| 2018 | Chicago White Sox signed free agent LF Alex Presley to a minor league contract. 2018 transaction archive | - |  |
| 2018 | Washington Nationals signed free agent LHP Josh Edgin to a minor league contract. 2018 transaction archive | - | |
| 2018 | Washington Nationals signed free agent LF Adam Brett Walker to a minor league contract. 2018 transaction archive | - | |
| 2018 | Atlanta Braves signed free agent SS Luis Marte to a minor league contract. 2018 transaction archive | - | |
| 2018 | New York Mets signed free agent LHP Aaron Laffey to a minor league contract. 2018 transaction archive | - | |
| 2018 | Arizona Diamondbacks signed free agent RHP Jonathan Almonte to a minor league contract. 2018 transaction archive | - | |
| 2018 | Chicago White Sox signed free agent SS Samil Polanco to a minor league contract. 2018 transaction archive | - | |
| 2018 | Chicago White Sox signed free agent RHP Yoelvin Silven to a minor league contract. 2018 transaction archive | - | |
| 2017 | Cleveland Indians signed free agent OF David Lough to a minor league contract. 2017 transaction archive | - |  |
| 2017 | Washington Nationals signed free agent RHP Sean O'Sullivan to a minor league contract. 2017 transaction archive | - | |
| 2017 | New York Mets signed free agent RHP Oscar Rojas to a minor league contract. 2017 transaction archive | - | |
| 2017 | Kansas City Royals signed free agent SS Javier Sanchez to a minor league contract. 2017 transaction archive | - |  |
| 2017 | San Francisco Giants signed free agent RHP Michael Cederoth to a minor league contract. 2017 transaction archive | - | |
| 2016 | Baltimore Orioles traded LHP Brian Matusz to Atlanta Braves for RHP Brandon Barker and LHP Trevor Belicek. 2016 transaction archive | | |
| 2016 | Atlanta Braves signed free agent SS Eudis Lora to a minor league contract. 2016 transaction archive | - | |
| 2016 | Houston Astros signed free agent RHP Angel Matos to a minor league contract. 2016 transaction archive | - | |
| 2016 | Atlanta Braves signed free agent RHP Dale Thayer to a minor league contract. 2016 transaction archive | - | |
| 2016 | Milwaukee Brewers signed free agent RHP Santos Saldivar to a minor league contract. 2016 transaction archive | - |  |
| 2015 | Chicago White Sox traded LHP Eric Surkamp to Los Angeles Dodgers for RHP Blake Smith. 2015 transaction archive | | |
| 2015 | Tampa Bay Rays signed free agent 1B Alex Rodriguez to a minor league contract. 2015 transaction archive | - | |
| 2014 | St. Louis Cardinals released RF Joey Butler. 2014 transaction archive | - |  |
| 2014 | Cincinnati Reds signed free agent LHP Matt Maloney to a minor league contract. 2014 transaction archive | - | |
| 2014 | Los Angeles Angels signed free agent 2B Maikol Gonzalez to a minor league contract. 2014 transaction archive | - |  |
| 2014 | Washington Nationals signed free agent LHP Zach Kroenke to a minor league contract. 2014 transaction archive | - | |
| 2014 | Toronto Blue Jays signed free agent RHP Mickey Storey to a minor league contract. 2014 transaction archive | - |  |
| 2014 | San Diego Padres signed free agent RHP Michael Nix to a minor league contract. 2014 transaction archive | - | |
| 2014 | Toronto Blue Jays signed free agent RHP Brad Allen to a minor league contract. 2014 transaction archive | - | |
| 2013 | Texas Rangers released RHP Derek Lowe. 2013 transaction archive | - |  |
| 2013 | Texas Rangers signed free agent 3B Mark Teahen to a minor league contract. 2013 transaction archive | - | |
| 2013 | Seattle Mariners released OF Kurt Fleming. 2013 transaction archive | - | |
| 2013 | Milwaukee Brewers signed free agent RHP Jesus Brea to a minor league contract. 2013 transaction archive | - | |
| 2012 | Baltimore Orioles signed free agent LHP J.C. Romero to a minor league contract. 2012 transaction archive | - | |
| 2012 | Cincinnati Reds signed free agent CF Joey Gathright to a minor league contract. 2012 transaction archive | - | |
| 2012 | Houston Astros signed free agent OF Brauly Mejia to a minor league contract. 2012 transaction archive | - | |
| 2012 | Los Angeles Dodgers signed free agent C Martin Rosario to a minor league contract. 2012 transaction archive | - | |
| 2011 | Toronto Blue Jays signed SS Emilio Guerrero. 2011 transaction archive | - | |
| 2011 | Houston Astros signed free agent RHP Brad Hennessey to a minor league contract. 2011 transaction archive | - | |
| Year | Player |
|---|---|
| 2002 | Jonatan Clase |
| 2000 | Paul Gervase |
| 1998 | Jonathan Aranda |
| 1998 | Luis Frias |
| 1997 | Davis Wendzel |
| 1997 | Logan Allen |
| 1996 | Chandler Seagle |
| 1996 | Michael Helman |
| 1993 | Tyler Beede |
| 1990 | Cesar Hernandez |
| 1990 | Kyle Barraclough |
| 1988 | Vic Black |
| 1986 | Jordan Zimmermann |
| 1985 | Matt McBride |
| 1985 | Mike Dunn |
| 1979 | Cesar Crespo |
| 1979 | John Webb |
| 1979 | Kirk Saarloos |
| 1978 | Chris Sampson |
| 1978 | Mike Gonzalez |
| 1978 | Scott Dunn |
| 1976 | Jake Robbins |
| 1973 | Ramon Ortiz |
| 1971 | Marshall Boze |
| 1970 | Ricky Gutierrez |
| 1969 | Ramon Caraballo |
| 1964 | Gino Minutelli |
| 1961 | Kevin Romine |
| 1958 | Nelson Norman |
| 1952 | Butch Metzger |
| 1952 | Pepe Mangual |
| 1948 | Reggie Cleveland |
| 1929 | Spider Wilhelm |
| 1924 | Clyde King |
| 1923 | Jerry McCarthy |
| 1921 | Bill Drescher |
| 1918 | Frank Mancuso |
| 1912 | Augie Galan |
| 1910 | Earl Huckleberry |
| 1906 | Pat Creeden |
| 1906 | Willis Hudlin |
| 1905 | Harry Child |
| 1903 | Charlie Sullivan |
| 1900 | Herbert Brett |
| 1899 | Charlie Niebergall |
| 1899 | Frank Kelliher |
| 1894 | Lee McElwee |
| 1893 | Elmer Leifer |
| 1892 | Luke Stuart |
| 1892 | Pop-boy Smith |
| 1889 | George Payne |
| 1888 | Zack Wheat |
| 1886 | Clyde Wares |
| 1885 | Hugh Bradley |
| 1885 | Ralph McLaurin |
| 1881 | Frosty Thomas |
| 1879 | Bill Miller |
| 1874 | Nap Shea |
| 1873 | Jack Taylor |
| 1872 | Deacon Phillippe |
| 1869 | Algie McBride |
| 1862 | Billy Hoy |
| 1859 | Elias Peak |
| 1856 | Al Bradley |
| Year | Player | Age |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Cotton Nash | 80 |
| 2022 | Joe Pignatano | 92 |
| 2010 | Jose Lima | 37 |
| 2008 | Bob Ferguson | 89 |
| 1995 | Ab Wright | 88 |
| 1990 | Charlie Keller | 73 |
| 1986 | Hugh McMullen | 84 |
| 1985 | Vernon Wilshere | 72 |
| 1981 | Gene Green | 47 |
| 1979 | Bob Chesnes | 58 |
| 1977 | Sam Bohne | 80 |
| 1976 | Pete Falsey | 85 |
| 1974 | Rolla Daringer | 85 |
| 1965 | Earl Webb | 67 |
| 1964 | Ernie Wolf | 75 |
| 1963 | Gavvy Cravath | 82 |
| 1962 | Rip Radcliff | 56 |
| 1954 | Bill Davidson | 70 |
| 1952 | Bill McGilvray | 69 |
| 1950 | Ernie Groth | 65 |
| 1947 | Goat Cochran | 57 |
| 1947 | Harry Bemis | 73 |
| 1946 | Johnny Grabowski | 46 |
| 1941 | Jack Clements | 76 |
| 1937 | Danny Clark | 43 |
| 1936 | Ted Lewis | 63 |
| 1932 | Doug Neff | 40 |
| 1931 | Bob Miller | - |
| 1923 | Willard Mains | 54 |
| 1920 | Doc Kennedy | 66 |
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 May 23.
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.