Nationals' Emilio Bonifacio: Dropped from 40-man roster
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The Nationals designated Bonifacio for assignment Thursday, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.
With Josh Harrison and Wilmer Difo having emerged as the Nationals' preferred utility men off the bench, Bonifacio was the odd man out as Washington reduced its active roster from 30 to 28 men. Since Bonifacio doesn't have minor-league options remaining, he'll now get exposed to waivers, though he'll stick in Washington's 60-man player pool if he ultimately goes unclaimed. He appeared in three of the big club's games, going hitless in three at-bats.
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Nationals' Emilio Bonifacio: Wins roster spot
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The Nationals selected Bonifacio's contract Wednesday, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
The 35-year-old Bonifacio has reached the majors for the first time since the 2017 season in what will be his second stint in Washington. As a speedy switch-hitter who can play multiple positions in the infield and outfield, Bonifacio should prove useful for the Nationals in a reserve role.
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Nationals' Emilio Bonifacio: Named to 60-man pool
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Bonifacio has been added to the Nationals' 60-man player pool, Jessica Camerato of MLB.com reports.
The veteran utility player last played in the majors in 2017, but he apparently showed the Nats enough as an NRI this spring that they will keep him around for depth purposes. Bonifacio's best path to big-league action may come as a pinch runner -- a role the new extra-innings rules will make a little more prominent -- but even then, he'd have to compete with Andrew Stevenson for opportunities.
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Nationals' Emilio Bonifacio: Invited to Nationals camp
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Bonifacio signed with the Nationals as a non-roster invitee Tuesday, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.
Bonifacio will make $1 million if he makes the big-league roster. That doesn't appear to be particularly likely, as he'll turn 35 in April and hasn't appeared in the big leagues since 2017. He spent last year with Triple-A Durham in the Rays' system, hitting .286/.353/.475 over 76 games.
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Emilio Bonifacio: Released by Tampa Bay
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Bonifacio was recently released by the Rays, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Bonifacio declined to report to the Rays' minor-league camp after being reassigned March 22, prompting the organization to cut him loose. The 33-year-old is likely exploring his options elsewhere around baseball, but is apparently still open to a return to the Rays, presumably on another minor-league deal.
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Rays' Emilio Bonifacio: Sent to minors
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Bonifacio was reassigned to minor-league camp Friday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Bonifacio hit well with a .333 average this spring, but his lack of extra-base hits and walks likely hurt him in battling for a roster spot. Regardless, the 33-year-old showcased himself fairly well and should provide solid outfield depth at Triple-A Durham for the Rays.
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Rays' Emilio Bonifacio: Torrid spring continues
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Bonifacio is hitting .375 (9-for-24) this spring after going 3-for-4 with an RBI single and a run in a 7-3 split-squad win over the Tigers on Friday.
Bonifacio has been making waves as a non-roster invitee by displaying the same hot bat he wielded during his 2018 season in the independent Atlantic League. The veteran slashed an impressive .348/.385/.458 during his 70-game stint, and he's been similarly productive over a considerably smaller sample thus far during the exhibition slate. Bonifacio would likely still be hard-pressed to carve out an Opening Day roster spot in a crowded Rays outfield, but he could certainly serve as quality organizational depth at Triple-A Durham.
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Rays' Emilio Bonifacio: Latches on with Rays
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Bonifacio signed a minor-league contract with the Rays on Monday which included an invitation to spring training, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.
Bonifacio represents organizational depth for the Rays. The 33-year-old outfielder hasn't appeared in the majors since 2017, when he hit just .132/.150/.211 across 38 games for the Diamondbacks. He spent the majority of last season in the independent Atlantic League, slashing .348/.385/.458 with 20 stolen bases in 70 games for the Long Island Ducks.
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Brewers' Emilio Bonifacio: Joins Brewers on minor-league deal
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Bonifacio joined the Brewers on a minor-league deal Friday and will head to Triple-A Colorado Springs.
The Brewers purchased Bonifacio's contract from the Long Island Ducks of the independent Atlantic League. The 33-year-old has appeared in 831 major-league games over his 11-year career, hitting an uninspiring .256/.313/.333. He's unlikely to be a significant fantasy asset down the stretch even if he were to get added to the 40-man roster.
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Emilio Bonifacio: Heads to independent league
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Bonifacio is playing with the Long Island Ducks of the independent Atlantic League, the Hartford Courant reports.
The utility player last appeared in the majors in 2017, batting just .132 in a brief stint with the Braves. Bonifacio will try to revive his playing career away from affiliated baseball for now, though it's a long shot that he'll become an impact player for a MLB club again .
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Diamondbacks' Emilio Bonifacio: Inks minors pact with Arizona
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Bonifacio signed a minor-league deal with the Diamondbacks on Monday, Chris Cotillo of SB Nation reports.
The move comes on the heels of Chris Owings' fractured finger and Ketel Marte's likely impending trip to the bereavement list following a death in the family. Bonifacio has struggled to keep relevance in fantasy leagues during recent seasons, but if he's needed at the big-league level, the veteran could provide cheap speed and playing time -- if little else -- for deep-league (chiefly NL-only) owners.
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Braves' Emilio Bonifacio: Designated for assignment
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Bonifacio was designated for assignment Friday.
This was a pretty easy call for the Braves, as Bonifacio was hitting .132/.150/.211 in 38 at-bats this season. His days as a useful contributor in the big leagues are almost certainly over at this point.
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Braves' Emilio Bonifacio: Appears off bench Wednesday
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Bonifacio (illness) recorded a sacrifice fly in a pinch-hit appearance Wednesday against the Blue Jays.
Bonifacio was unavailable Tuesday due to flu-like symptoms, but looked to be back in his regular role Wednesday after picking up an RBI in the 8-4 victory. He hasn't made a start since May 10, and is 2-for-18 as a pinch hitter this season.
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Braves' Emilio Bonifacio: Unavailable Tuesday with flu symptoms
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Bonifacio will not be available Tuesday against the Blue Jays because he is dealing with flu-like symptoms, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.
Bonifacio was even told to stay back at the hotel in case he's contagious. He has mainly been used as a pinch hitter recently, and given he's batting just .179 this season, it won't be much of a loss for the Braves. It's unclear how long the illness will keep him away from the team, though more should be known before Wednesday's contest.
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Braves' Emilio Bonifacio: Assumes pinch hitter, defensive replacement role
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Bonifacio has two hits in 18 at-bats to begin 2017.
Bonifacio sees the bulk of his playing time as a pinch hitter and defensive replacement during the late innings of ballgames. Once a threat on the basepaths, the 32-year-old stole only two bases over the previous two seasons. In 2016, Bonifacio hit .211 over 43 plate appearances.
