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  • Garrett Cooper 1B | ATL

    Cubs' Garrett Cooper: Makes Opening Day roster

    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.

  • Dominic Smith 1B | ATL

    Dominic Smith: Released by Cubs

    The Cubs released Smith on Friday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

    Smith exercised the opt-out clause in his minor-league contract after being told he would not be part of the Opening Day roster. The 28-year-old posted a .909 OPS with one home run this spring. Smith could latch on with another club seeking first base depth.

  • Anthony Rizzo 1B | NYY

    Yankees' Anthony Rizzo: Says he'll be ready Opening Day

    Rizzo (lat) said Friday that he's "fully confident" he'll be ready for Opening Day, Meredith Marakovits of YES Network reports.

    Rizzo was a late scratch from Friday's lineup with some lat tightness, which is something he said he deals with from time to time. However, the scratch was made out of an abundance of caution and he's expected to be fine when the games begin to count. Fantasy managers who draft this weekend shouldn't have trepidation about rostering Rizzo.

  • C.J. Cron 1B | BOS

    Red Sox's C.J. Cron: Forces roster decision

    Cron opted out of his minor-league contract with the Red Sox on Friday, giving the organization two days to add him to the big-league roster or release him, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

    Cron played in just five big-league games after signing with Boston as a non-roster invitee March 1, and he went 2-for-11 with three walks. The veteran slugger's .729 OPS in 71 games between the Rockies and Angels last season was the first time his OPS was below .780 since 2017.

  • Nick Pratto 1B | TEX

    Royals' Nick Pratto: Optioned to Triple-A

    The Royals optioned Pratto to Triple-A Omaha on Friday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

    If decisions were made strictly on spring performance, Pratto would have made the club, as he slashed a robust .421/.476/.816 with four home runs. First base, the corner outfield spots and designated hitter are spoken for with the Royals though, so he'll head back to Omaha where he'll play every day.

  • Anthony Rizzo 1B | NYY

    Yankees' Anthony Rizzo: Lat issue considered minor

    Yankees manager Aaron Boone said on the YES Network broadcast Friday that Rizzo "didn't seem too concerned" about his lat tightness, Brendan Kuty of The Athletic reports.

    The veteran first baseman was a late scratch from Friday's lineup due to the injury. Boone added that Rizzo said it's an issue which pops up on him occasionally, so he just wanted to be cautious in asking out of the lineup. It would appear to be a day-to-day situation that shouldn't affect his Opening Day availability.

  • Nolan Schanuel 1B | LAA

    Angels' Nolan Schanuel: Could return Saturday

    Schanuel (back) could play in Saturday's Cactus League game against the A's, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

    Schanuel was a late scratch Monday due to back tightness but is closing in on his return to game action. The 22-year-old should be ready for Opening Day as long as he can return to the field within the next handful of days.

  • Giants' Wilmer Flores: Returning to action Friday

    Flores (knee) is starting at first base and batting third in Friday's split-squad game against the Cubs.

    The 32-year-old was scratched from Wednesday's lineup due to knee soreness, but he'll rejoin the starting nine two days later since it was a minor issue. Flores clubbed 23 homers in 126 games last season and should be a regular lineup piece again in 2024, but he'll likely need to move around the infield in order to see consistent playing time.

  • Anthony Rizzo 1B | NYY

    Yankees' Anthony Rizzo: Scratched Friday with tight lat

    Rizzo was a late scratch from the Yankees' Grapefruit League lineup Friday due to a tight lat, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

    The severity of the injury hasn't yet been made public, but the Yankees should have additional information on Rizzo's status after the game. The veteran first baseman has had a fantastic spring, putting up a 1.189 OPS with two home runs.

  • Joey Votto 1B | TOR

    Blue Jays' Joey Votto: Remains day-to-day

    Blue Jays manager John Schneider said that Votto (ankle) will incorporate more baseball activities Friday, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

    The skipper said that Votto remains day-to-day as he recovers from a right ankle injury but is "doing better every day." Votto rolled his ankle during his first Grapefruit League game last weekend when he stepped on a bat in the dugout. The expectation is that he will begin the season in the minors or perhaps in extended spring training.

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