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.
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Red Sox's C.J. Cron: Forces roster decision
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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.
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Red Sox's C.J. Cron: Makes second appearance
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Cron started at designated hitter and went 1-for-2 with a walk in Thursday's spring game against the Phillies.
Cron made his second start since signing a minor-league deal with the Red Sox and reiterated to Peter Abraham of The Boston Globe that he's beyond the back injury that limited him during 2023. He and Bobby Dalbec are competing as the right-handed complement to Triston Casas at first base. Recently, manager Alex Cora talked about Dalbec getting outfield starts, which potentially signals both players making the roster. Dalbec could become the righty-hitting depth option in the outfield to replace the injured Rob Refsnyder (toe).
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Red Sox's C.J. Cron: Makes spring debut
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Cron started at first base and went 0-for-2 in Monday's spring game against the Pirates.
Cron, who signed with Boston at the beginning of the month, made his Grapefruit League debut. He told CJ Haddad of MLB.com that it felt good to be out there, after the first baseman was limited to 71 games in 2023 due to a back injury. Cron is competing for a backup job at first base along with Bobby Dalbec. Of the two, Cron has a better track record of hitting MLB pitching.
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Red Sox's C.J. Cron: Scheduled for spring debut
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Cron is tentatively scheduled to play his first game March 11, Peter Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.
Cron was officially added to the spring training roster Sunday after signing with Boston on Friday. The Red Sox want a right-handed hitting complement to Triston Casas at first base, and Cron will begin his bid for the job next week. Bobby Dalbec is also part of the competition, but he has a minor-league option remaining which could influence the decision.
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Red Sox's C.J. Cron: Gets NRI deal from Boston
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Cron signed a minor-league contract with the Red Sox on Friday that includes an invitation to spring training, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.
The Red Sox had been looking for someone to compete with Bobby Dalbec for a role as a right-handed slugger off the bench, and Cron fits the bill. He slashed just .248/.295/.434 with 12 homers in 278 plate appearances last year while battling nagging back issues, so the 34-year-old is not a great bet to be healthy or effective. However, there's no risk in seeing what he might have left in the tank on a minor-league deal. Cron does not figure to be a major threat to Triston Casas' playing time at first base.
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Angels' C.J. Cron: Lands on injured list
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The Angels placed Cron on the 10-day injured list Sunday with lower back inflammation.
Cron's back injury has bothered him all season, and his most recent move to the injured list will keep him out for the rest of the year, as there is just eight days remaining in the regular season. He'll finish 2023 with 12 homers and 37 RBI alongside a .248/.295/.434 slash line through 278 plate appearances. Mike Moustakas (forearm) was reinstated from the injured list in a corresponding move.
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Angels' C.J. Cron: Activated Saturday
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Cron (back) was reinstated from the injured list Saturday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.
Cron last played Aug. 15 but has been activated to take the roster spot of Shohei Ohtani (oblique). With both Ohtani and Mike Trout (wrist) sidelined, Cron should have the chance to earn at-bats as the designated hitter.
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Angels' C.J. Cron: Takes BP
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Cron (back) took batting practice Monday and remains hopeful to return from the 10-day injured list before the end of the season, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.
Though Cron is now partaking in baseball activities for the first time since landing on the 10-day injured list Aug. 18 with low back inflammation, the Angels will likely proceed cautiously with the 33-year-old, who has dealt with recurring back problems all season. Prior to landing on the IL, Cron had been serving as the Halos' everyday first baseman, but with the team having faded from playoff contention, he's unlikely to reclaim a major role once activated. Instead, look for rookie Nolan Schanuel to continue serving as Anaheim's top option at first base the rest of the way.
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Angels' C.J. Cron: Yet to resume baseball activities
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Cron (back) is still experiencing soreness and hasn't yet resumed baseball activities, the Associated Press reports.
Cron is eligible to be activated after going on the 10-day IL on Aug. 18, but he doesn't appear to be particularly close to a return. The veteran first baseman was diagnosed with lower-back inflammation prior to hitting the injured list, and he had been struggling since joining the Angels at the end of July, slashing just .217/.280/.283 with one homer, five RBI and a 4:14 BB:K over 14 contests. The Angels have fallen 10.5 games out of an AL wild-card spot with the season winding down, so they probably won't rush Cron back and may continue to start rookie Nolan Schanuel (illness) at first base even if Cron is able to return.
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Angels' C.J. Cron: Placed on 10-day IL
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The Angels placed Cron on the 10-day injured list Friday, retroactive to Aug. 16, with lower-back inflammation.
This back discomfort first popped up last weekend and Cron will now be sidelined until at least next Saturday. The 33-year-old first baseman has slashed just .217/.280/.283 with one home run in 14 games (50 plate appearances) since being acquired from the Rockies ahead of the Aug. 1 trade deadline.
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Angels' C.J. Cron: Back injury still an issue
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Cron was set to have his ailing back re-evaluated Thursday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.
Cron has started just one of the last four games and wasn't available to play off the bench in the Angels' most recent contest Wednesday due to a nagging back issue which dates back to earlier this season when he was with the Rockies. With the news that Nolan Schanuel is being called up, it's possible Cron heading to the IL will be the corresponding move for that transaction. Even without the injury, Cron likely will face a dip in playing time upon Schanuel's arrival with Shohei Ohtani a fixture at DH.
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Angels' C.J. Cron: Not in lineup Wednesday
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Cron is out of the lineup Wednesday against the Rangers.
Cron went 2-for-4 with two singles and a run scored Tuesday versus Texas after sitting out Sunday and Monday due to back tightness. Maybe it's still an issue. Mike Moustakas will start at first base and bat cleanup for the Angels on Wednesday.
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Angels' C.J. Cron: Good to go Tuesday
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Cron (back) is starting at first base and batting cleanup Tuesday against the Rangers, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.
Cron sat out the past two games due to back tightness but will rejoin the starting nine Tuesday at Texas. The 33-year-old has struggled to a .523 OPS in 13 games since being acquired from the Rockies ahead of the trade deadline.
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Angels' C.J. Cron: Remains out of lineup
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Cron (back) is not in the lineup for Monday's game against the Rangers, according to Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register.
Cron will work as a reserve for the second time in as many days due to the sore back he is dealing with. He was able to pinch hit Sunday, so he might not be out of the lineup much longer.
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Angels' C.J. Cron: Managing back tightness
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Cron has been dealing with back tightness, which was a factor in his removal during the sixth inning of Saturday's game and his absence from Sunday's lineup, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.
Angels manager Phil Nevin indicated after Saturday's loss that he was bothered by how Cron looked while getting out of the way of a pitch, leading to the first baseman's early removal from the contest. Cron has just three hits while striking out 11 times over his past 22 at-bats, though it's not clear if the back issue has anything to do with those struggles. The veteran slugger should be considered day-to-day for the time being.
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Angels' C.J. Cron: Sits down Sunday
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Cron isn't in the Angels' lineup Sunday against the Astros, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.
Cron hasn't performed to his usual standard since joining the Angels, slashing just .190/.261/.262 across 46 plate appearances in 12 games. He'll take a day off Sunday while Mike Moustakas fills in at first base, allowing Eduardo Escobar to start at third.
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Angels' C.J. Cron: Hits first homer with new club
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Cron went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Friday's loss to the Astros.
Cron's second-inning home run was his 12th of the year in 67 games, but his first since returning to the organization he made his major-league debut with in 2014. Cron has played in every game for the Angels since being traded from the Rockies on July 31. He holds a .222 batting average over 36 at-bats in 11 games since the trade.
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Angels' C.J. Cron: Not starting Sunday
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Cron is out of the lineup for Sunday's game versus the Mariners.
Cron started all six games at first base since being acquired by the Halos last weekend, and he'll receive a day off after going 5-for-23 with three walks, three RBI and four runs during that span. Mike Moustakas will move over to first base while Eduardo Escobar receives a start at the hot corner.
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Angels' C.J. Cron: Dealt to Halos
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Cron and Randal Grichuk were traded from the Rockies to the Angels on Sunday in exchange for Jake Madden and Mason Albright, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.
Cron spent his first four major-league seasons with the Angels, and he'll return to the organization as the team attempts to bolster its roster for a second-half playoff push. The 33-year-old has missed some time due to injuries this year but has slashed .259/.300/.473 with 11 home runs, 32 RBI and 31 runs over 55 games. Cron should have an opportunity to carve out an everyday role with the Angels as long as he remains healthy down the stretch.
