MLB Player News
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Ryan O'Hearn 1B | PIT
Orioles' Ryan O'Hearn: Not starting against lefty
O'Hearn is absent from the lineup for Thursday's season opener versus the Angels.
The Angels are rolling out southpaw Patrick Sandoval, so Ryan Mountcastle will be at first base and Jordan Westburg will serve as the designated hitter. O'Hearn will be a regular against righties, either at first base or DH.
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Miguel Sano 3B | LAA
Angels' Miguel Sano: Starting at DH in opener
Sano will start at designated hitter and bat seventh in Thursday's season opener versus the Orioles.
Not only did Sano make the team after going to camp as a non-roster invitee, but he will be part of the batting order for Opening Day. The Angels could still ultimately rotate through multiple players in the DH spot, but Sano's power gives him some deep-league relevancy should he find regular playing time.
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Joey Votto 1B | TOR
Blue Jays' Joey Votto: Will get full spring progression
Votto (ankle) will remain at the Blue Jays' spring training complex and go through a full build-up before beginning a minor-league assignment, Gregor Chisholm of the Toronto Star reports.
As the 40-year-old won't even begin that progression until his ankle is fully healed, he isn't expected to see MLB action for another month or more. That could put Votto in line to make his Toronto debut in May, but whether he gets added to the big-league roster when ready will depend on how Daniel Vogelbach performs over the first month of the season.
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Miguel Sano 3B | LAA
Angels' Miguel Sano: Added to 40-man roster
The Angels selected Sano's contract from Triple-A Salt Lake on Wednesday.
Just as manager Ron Washington indicated would be the case Tuesday, Sano was added to the Angels' 40-man and 26-man rosters ahead of Thursday's season opener versus the Orioles. Sano, who has four seasons of 25-plus home runs on his resume, didn't play at all in affiliated ball during the 2023 season but joined the Halos for spring training and popped four long balls over 54 at-bats in Cactus League play. However, Sano also struck out 20 times, and his boom-or-bust tendencies will likely result in him being limited to a bench role unless injuries open up an opportunity for regular playing time.
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Jonathan Aranda 1B | TB
Rays' Jonathan Aranda: Officially placed on injured list
The Rays placed Aranda (finger) on the 10-day injured list Wednesday.
Aranda is expected to be out until at least early May after having surgery March 21 to insert a pin in his fractured right ring finger. The 25-year-old had been slated to open the season as Tampa Bay's primary designated hitter against right-handed pitching, and he should eventually reclaim that role once healthy.
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Miguel Sano 3B | LAA
Angels' Miguel Sano: Makes Opening Day roster
Manager Ron Washington confirmed Tuesday that Sano has made the Angels' Opening Day roster, Greg Beacham of The Associated Press reports.
Sano signed a minor-league contract with the Angels in January and was reported to have lost 58 pounds entering spring training. He did not play professional baseball last season but did suit up for Estrellas Orientales in the Dominican Winter League before spring training. Sano posted a .778 OPS with 30 home runs across 532 plate appearances in 135 games for the Twins during his last full season in 2021, and he'll break camp with the Angels despite mustering a .200/.298/.400 slash line, albeit with three home runs, this spring. Sano is expected to see most of his playing time at designated hitter as the Angels attempt to address the void created by the departure of Shohei Ohtani.
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Vladimir Guerrero Jr. 1B | TOR
Blue Jays' Vladimir Guerrero: In line to bat second
Guerrero is expected to open the season batting second for the Blue Jays, Rob Longley of the Toronto Sun reports.
The overwhelming majority of Guerrero's starts last season came from the third (110 games) or fourth (36 games) spots in the Toronto batting order. However, manager John Schneider basically confirmed Tuesday that he planned to slide Guerrero up to the No. 2 hole in between George Springer and Bo Bichette. Justin Turner will follow them in the cleanup spot.
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Jared Walsh 1B | CHW
Rangers' Jared Walsh: Favored for Opening Day roster
Walsh is expected to be named to the 26-man roster Tuesday, Dave Sessions of MLB.com reports.
Walsh and Justin Foscue battled it out during spring training -- each recorded more than 50 plate appearances during Cactus League games -- but the Rangers are apparently leaning toward Walsh, a non-roster invitee that needs to be added to the 40-man roster. That much was confirmed Monday, when the transactions page of MiLB.com posted the Rangers had optioned Foscue to Triple-A Round Rock. Ultimately, it was Walsh's wealth of experience at first base that was the deciding factor. With Nathaniel Lowe (oblique) set to open the season on the injured list, the Rangers wanted a more experienced first baseman, and Foscue only started playing there this spring. The right-handed hitting Ezequiel Duran will serve as the backup and possible platoon mate for the lefty-swinging Walsh. Texas faces left-hander Justin Steele on Opening Day, which may dictate that Duran draws the start in that matchup.
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Bobby Dalbec 1B | CHW
Red Sox's Bobby Dalbec: Still with team
Dalbec appears to have won a spot on the roster, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.
Confirmation of Boston's 26-man roster is still pending, but the Red Sox released Dalbec's main competition, C.J. Cron, on Sunday. The team could still be in the market for right-handed complement to Triston Casas at first base, although manager Alex Cora told reporters that there is a "good chance" Dalbec sticks. He finished the Grapefruit League batting .255 (12-for-47) with three home runs and nine RBI. His position versatility could be helpful, as Dalbec can play both corner infield spots.