MLB Player News

Paris will be on the Angels' Opening Day roster, Erica Weston of Bally Sports West reports.

Paris is a career .110 hitter through 91 MLB at-bats, but he looked like a completely different player in the Cactus League, finishing spring training with a .400/.449/.667 slash line with 13 RBI, 14 runs scored and four stolen bases in 23 games. His phenomenal spring may have bought him another shot with the big-league club, but he doesn't project to start the season as anything more than bench depth.

The Angels designated Quijada for assignment Tuesday.

Quijada will fall short in his bid for a spot in the Angels' Opening Day bullpen after giving up 11 earned runs on 13 hits and five walks in just 7.1 innings during Cactus League play. He'll be joined on waivers by Angel Perdomo, freeing up two roster spots for Tim Anderson and Ryan Johnson.

The Angels designated Perdomo for assignment Tuesday.

Perdomo split his spring between the Atlanta and Los Angeles organizations, giving up six runs (two earned) while striking out eight batters across 10 total innings. The left-hander doesn't have any options remaining, so he'll be stripped of his 40-man spot as the Halos attempt to send him to Triple-A Salt Lake. Jose Quijada was also DFA'd, creating room for Tim Anderson and Ryan Johnson to join the active roster.

The Angels selected Johnson's contract Tuesday.

Now that Johnson has officially been added to the Angels' 40-man roster and 26-man active roster, he'll become the first player since Garrett Crochet in 2020 to reach the majors without appearing in a minor-league game. Johnson, 22, is likely to work in middle relief while he familiarizes himself with MLB hitters, but his 10:1 K:BB in 11.1 Cactus League innings is evidence that he has the tools to appear in high-leverage situations down the line. Jose Quijada was designated for assignment in a corresponding move.

The Angels selected Anderson's contract from Triple-A Salt Lake on Tuesday.

Though he only slashed .263/.311/.333 with three RBI and four runs scored across 61 Cactus League plate appearances, Anderson will end up with a spot on the Angels' Opening Day roster. He narrowly outperformed Kevin Newman (.216/.326/.243) this spring, though it's still unclear which player will get the starting nod at shortstop while Zach Neto recovers from a shoulder injury. The signing of Nicky Lopez on Tuesday further complicates the situation. Anderson also saw exposure to second base and the outfield in spring training, so he could be a candidate to fill a utility role.

Manager Alex Cora said Tuesday that Chapman will begin the season as the Red Sox's closer but could see occasional high-leverage work in an earlier inning if the matchup is right, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Browne used the example of Corey Seager leading off the eighth inning as a situation when Chapman may enter before the ninth, but the veteran left-hander should still see the bulk of the save chances early on for Boston. Liam Hendriks, Justin Slaten and Garrett Whitlock seem likely to begin the season as the next men up for saves in said situations, or when Chapman is unavailable.

Lopez agreed to a major-league contract with the Angels on Tuesday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

The 30-year-old signed a minor-league deal with the Cubs in February, but he was unable to earn a roster spot with the Cubs despite posting a .450/.542/.550 slash line in 24 plate appearances during spring training. Lopez will provide infield depth and could see regular playing time early in the season with Yoan Moncada (thumb) banged up and Zach Neto (shoulder) recovering from shoulder surgery.

Manager Bruce Bochy said Tuesday that Church has made the Rangers' Opening Day roster, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

The skipper mentioned Church as a possible closer candidate earlier in camp, and Church's impressive strikeout stuff certainly warrants him being in that conversation. However, the 23-year-old righty finished Cactus League play with four runs allowed in 8.2 innings, so save opportunities now seem likely be split between Luke Jackson, Chris Martin and Robert Garcia to begin the season.

Manager Alex Cora announced Tuesday that Weissert has made the Opening Day roster, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Weissert allowed six earned runs in one of his eight spring training appearances, but he had scoreless outings in the other seven. The righty had his best season yet in 2024, notching a 3.13 ERA with 58 strikeouts across 63.1 innings.

Manager Bruce Bochy said Tuesday that Garabito will be on Texas' Opening Day roster, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Garabito ended the spring with eight runs (seven earned) allowed and 10 strikeouts over 11.1 innings. He'll begin the season with the Rangers despite his shaky performance, likely working in a long-relief role behind an Opening Day rotation that includes unproven young pitchers Jack Leiter and Kumar Rocker.