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.

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.

Choi was informed Sunday he didn't make the Mets' Opening Day roster, Abbey Mastracco of the New York Daily News reports.

The 32-year-old signed as a non-roster invitee in mid-February but was unable to carve out a place on the Opening Day roster with a .182/.308/.333 slash line in 14 spring games. Choi had a .624 OPS in 39 contests between the Pirates and Padres last season, and it's unclear if he plans to stick around the Mets organization or test his luck elsewhere.

Manager Matt Quatraro informed Loftin that he made the Royals' Opening Day roster, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports Saturday.

Loftin will provide cover all around the infield. His best chance for playing time early in the season is at second base, as Michael Massey (back) is set to begin the season on the injured list. Loftin provides a right-handed bench bat for the Royals, so he shouldn't be expected to see more than a short-side platoon role initially. Loftin has hit .325 over 16 Cactus League games, displaying his solid contact-hitting skills.

Mancini opted out of his minor-league contract with the Marlins on Saturday, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Mancini's decision suggests he was not going to make Miami's Opening Day roster, so he will now try his luck on the open market. Mancini slashed .234/.299/.336 with 28 RBI across 261 plate appearances with the Cubs last season and may still be able to find a big-league opportunity with a team in search of 1B/OF depth.

Schanuel (back) is starting in Saturday's Cactus League game against the Athletics, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Schanuel has been out of action since Monday due to back tightness, but the issue appears to have subsided ahead of Saturday's contest. Schanuel is 10-for-41 this spring with a homer and four RBI, and he should be ready to start at first base on Opening Day now that his back issues are seemingly behind him.

The Mets informed Voit on Saturday that he won't make the team's Opening Day roster, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Voit joined the Mets on a minor-league contract Feb. 19. He struggled in camp, striking out 12 times while slashing .100/.222/.200 with one home run and three RBI over 36 plate appearances.

The Cardinals optioned Young to Triple-A Memphis on Saturday.

Young has slashed .210/.290/.435 across 69 plate appearances in his MLB career, but a .353 OPS during spring training will send him back to the minors for the start of the season. Young found plenty of success with the Cubs' Triple-A affiliate last season, and a return to form at the plate could help him reach the majors again during his first season with the Cardinals.

The Cardinals optioned Rivas to Triple-A Memphis on Saturday.

Rivas only managed seven hits in 36 at-bats during his first spring with the Cards while driving in three RBI and scoring six runs. The 27-year-old also only carried a .229 batting average across 48 major-league games last season, but his average jumped up to .332 over 58 games in Triple-A.

The Cubs informed Cooper on Friday that he made the team's Opening Day roster, Craig Mish of the Miami Herald reports.

Cooper was brought into the Cubs' camp as a non-roster invitee, and he will claim a spot on the roster after going 6-for-26 with two home runs and five RBI across 10 games. He'll likely serve as the primary backup to Michael Busch at first base but could find himself in the lineup regularly against left-handed starters.