MLB Player News
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Michael Toglia 1B | COL
Rockies' Michael Toglia: Makes Opening Day roster
Toglia has been informed that he has made the Rockies' Opening Day roster, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.
Toglia beat out Sean Bouchard for the final spot in the outfield. The 25-year-old could see action in right field mostly against left-handed pitching, and he's also capable of filling in at first base on days Kris Bryant plays the outfield or is at designated hitter.
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Luke Voit 1B | NYM
Luke Voit: Released by Mets
Voit was released by the Mets on Tuesday, Michael Mayer of MetsmerizedOnline.com reports.
It's not clear whether Voit exercised an opt-out or the team simply decided to cut him loose. Voit failed to make the Opening Day roster after managing just a .455 OPS in 14 Grapefruit League contests. He should be able to latch on with another organization but will probably have to spend time in the minors in the short term.
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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.
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Joey Votto 1B | TOR
Blue Jays' Joey Votto: Will stay back in extended spring
Votto (ankle) is likely to stay back in extended spring training at the start of the season, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Votto has made improvement with his right ankle injury but has yet to resume full baseball activities, though manager John Schneider said Monday that the veteran first baseman could do so within the next few days, per Keegan Matheson of MLB.com. The 40-year-old is likely to be assigned to Triple-A Buffalo once healthy, with the hope that he can eventually earn a look with the big club.
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Anthony Rizzo 1B | NYY
Yankees' Anthony Rizzo: Returns to lineup Monday
Rizzo (lat) will start at designated hitter and bat cleanup for the Yankees in Monday's game against the Mets, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.
Rizzo had to be scratched from the lineup Friday due to some lat tightness, but he's feeling well enough to hit Monday and should be fine to play first base in Thursday's opener in Houston. The 34-year-old has looked sharp at the dish this spring, sporting a 1.189 OPS with two home runs.
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Kody Clemens 1B | MIN
Phillies' Kody Clemens: Sent to minor-league camp
The Phillies optioned Clemens to minor-league camp Sunday, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.
The 27-year-old was in the running for a bench spot on Philadelphia's Opening Day roster, but he'll end up missing out despite posting a 1.244 OPS during spring training. Clemens should receive a look with the Phillies at some point in 2024, but he'll begin the campaign back at Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
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Anthony Rizzo 1B | NYY
Yankees' Anthony Rizzo: Should be ready for Opening Day
Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Sunday he expects Rizzo (lat) to be available for Thursday's Opening Day matchup with the Astros, Brendan Kuty of The Athletic reports.
The veteran first baseman recently expressed confidence that he'd be available for the season opener, and Boone is now reinforcing that idea. Rizzo was scratched from Friday's spring lineup due to lat tightness, and it's not surprising the Yankees are exercising caution in the lead-up to Opening Day.
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Ji-Man Choi 1B | NYM
Mets' Ji-Man Choi: Staying with organization
Choi, who was reassigned to minor-league camp Sunday after being informed he wouldn't make the Mets' Opening Day roster, won't exercise the opt-out clause in his contract and will begin the season with Triple-A Syracuse, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
Even though the newly signed J.D. Martinez isn't expected to be available for their first series of the regular season, the Mets opted not to carry Choi as an option at designated hitter for Opening Day. Though his path to a big-league roster spot will become more blocked once Martinez is ready to make his Mets debut, Choi will stick around in the organization and stay ready at Triple-A in the event an opportunity in New York emerges.
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C.J. Cron 1B | BOS
C.J. Cron: Cut loose by Boston
The Red Sox released Cron on Sunday, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.
The veteran slugger exercised the opt-out in his minor-league deal Friday, and the Red Sox elected to release him rather than add him to the big-league roster. Cron was limited to 71 games last season due to back issues and had a .248/.295/.434 slash line with 12 home runs.