It's not clear whether this was the Diamondbacks' decision or an opt-out situation, but either way Wong is now a free agent. The veteran second baseman slashed .271/.339/.383 with two home runs and two stolen bases over 31 games during his time with Triple-A Reno.
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Diamondbacks' Kolten Wong: Latches on with D-backs
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Wong signed a minor-league contract with the Diamondbacks on Wednesday, Sam Dykstra of MiLB.com reports.
Wong was cut by the Orioles ahead of Opening Day after batting just .185 during spring training. He'll now attempt to carve out a role for himself with the Diamondbacks, but Wong will likely need to re-establish himself in Triple-A first after slashing .183/.256/.263 in the majors last season.
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Kolten Wong: Parts ways with Baltimore
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Wong was granted his release by the Orioles on Sunday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.
The Orioles had two days to either release Wong or add him to the big-league roster after he exercised the opt-out in his minor-league contract Friday, and the club has now made its decision. The veteran second baseman posted a .519 OPS between the Mariners and Dodgers last season and hit .185 during spring training, so he's unlikely to find much in the form of guaranteed big-league opportunities with Opening Day less than a week away.
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Orioles' Kolten Wong: Prompts opt-out decision
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Wong exercised the opt-out in his minor-league contract Friday, giving the Orioles two days to either release him or add him to the big-league roster, Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com reports.
The veteran second baseman didn't appear likely to crack Baltimore's Opening Day roster after signing as a non-roster invitee in February, but he's apparently still in the mix after the club reassigned top prospect Jackson Holliday to minor-league camp Friday. Wong didn't exactly put his best foot forward during spring training and had a .587 OPS in 31 plate appearances, which is only marginally better than last season's .183/.256/.263 slash line.
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Orioles' Kolten Wong: Agrees to NRI deal with Baltimore
Rotowire
Wong agreed to a minor-league contract with the Orioles on Wednesday that includes an invitation to spring training, Danielle Allentuck of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.
The Orioles are already flush with infield depth, but Wong will do his best to convince them he's worthy of a spot on their Opening Day roster. Wong posted an ugly .183/.256/.263 batting line in 87 games between the Mariners and Dodgers last season but did have an .853 OPS at the latter stop.
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Dodgers' Kolten Wong: Makes NLDS roster
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Wong is listed on the Dodgers' roster for the National League Divisional Series against the Diamondbacks, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.
Wong has gone 9-for-30 with two homers and eight RBI since being picked up by Los Angeles in August. He likely won't get many starting reps in the postseason behind Mookie Betts, but he's emerged as a solid pinch-hit option off the bench.
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Dodgers' Kolten Wong: Three hits off bench
Rotowire
Wong went 3-for-3 off the bench in Thursday's 14-5 loss to the Rockies.
Mookie Betts was taken out of the game once the Dodgers fell far behind, and Wong stepped up to lead the team in hits despite not starting the contest. Wong has two multi-hit efforts over his last three games, but those are his only such games since joining the Dodgers. He's slashing .186/.259/.267 through 85 contests between Los Angeles and Seattle, though he's at a .333/.387/.556 slash line in a limited sample (31 plate appearances) with the Dodgers.
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Dodgers' Kolten Wong: Homers off bench Wednesday
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Wong went hit a solo home run in his only at-bat in Wednesday's 6-1 loss to the Padres.
Wong didn't start the game, but the Dodgers subbed out Mookie Betts late in the game. Wong ended up getting an at-bat in the ninth inning and broke up the Padres' shutout with his solo shot, his second homer and third hit over eight games with the Dodgers. The second baseman is at a .170/.245/.257 slash line with four homers, 24 RBI, 23 runs scored and three stolen bases over 229 plate appearances between the Dodgers and the Mariners this season.
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Dodgers' Kolten Wong: Swipes two bags Saturday
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Wong went 1-for-4 with an RBI and two stolen bases in Saturday's 7-6 extra-innings loss to the Nationals.
The second baseman nearly played hero for the Dodgers, singling home James Outman in the top of the ninth inning to tie the game at 5-5 and then swiping second and third, only to be stranded when Will Smith grounded out. It was only Wong's second start since being picked up by Los Angeles, but he's appeared in four other September games as a pinch hitter and late-inning defensive replacement, going 2-for-11 overall with a homer, four RBI and Saturday's two steals.
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Dodgers' Kolten Wong: Homers in first game with new team
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Wong hit a three-run home run as a pinch hitter in Friday's 6-3 loss to Atlanta.
The second baseman pinch hit for Freddie Freeman in the eighth inning, and Wong got his Dodgers career started with a bang. Prior to signing a minor-league deal in August, Wong mustered an abysmal .468 OPS with the Mariners over 67 games. With Los Angeles, he figures to be little more than a part-time player, though his solid defensive reputation may lead to him coming off the bench as a late-game replacement more often than not.
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Dodgers' Kolten Wong: Selected to active roster
Rotowire
The Dodgers selected Wong's contract from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Friday.
After slashing just .165/.241/.227 with Seattle, Wong was let go by the Mariners and eventually signed a minor-league deal with the Dodgers. He went 7-for-13 with six RBI and three runs scored in just three games with Oklahoma City, so he'll join the big-league club to provide second-base depth behind Mookie Betts for the final month of the season. Yonny Hernandez was designated for assignment to clear a spot on the 40-man roster.
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Dodgers' Kolten Wong: Latches on with Dodgers
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Wong signed a minor-league contract with the Dodgers on Friday, Bruce Kuntz of Dodgers Digest reports.
Wong was released by the Mariners earlier this month after managing a lowly .165/.241/.227 slash line across 216 plate appearances. His defense at second base has also fallen off, although it's reasonable to believe he could at least rebound in that area. The Dodgers would be responsible only for the prorated veteran minimum salary should Wong eventually be added to the big-league roster, but he'll presumably go to Triple-A Oklahoma City for now.
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Kolten Wong: Released after DFA
Rotowire
Wong passed through waivers unclaimed and was released by the Mariners on Friday.
Wong was designated for assignment by Seattle on Tuesday after slashing just .165/.241/.227 with eight extra-base hits (two homers, six doubles) through 216 plate appearances this season. His defense at second base has fallen off a bit as well, but the Mariners are on the hook for the large majority of what remains on his $10 million salary for 2023. He'll try to find a fresh opportunity with a different organization.
Wong was designated for assignment by the Mariners on Tuesday.
The veteran second baseman was acquired from the Brewers over the winter but never got things going with the Mariners this year. Wong has a .165/.241/.227 slash line in 67 games, and he could go unclaimed on the waiver wire given what remains of his $10 million salary for this year.
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Mariners' Kolten Wong: Sitting against lefty
Rotowire
Wong is not in the lineup Friday versus the Diamondbacks.
Jose Caballero will get the start at second base with the Mariners facing left-hander Tommy Henry. Wong has played a little better lately, but he's just 3-for-26 (.115) with zero extra-base hits this year against southpaws.
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Mariners' Kolten Wong: Takes back playing time at keystone
Rotowire
Wong will start at second base and bat ninth in Wednesday's game against the Twins.
As of last week, Wong appeared to be on the outs for a regular role at the keystone, but he'll pick up his fourth start in five games Wednesday and has seemingly re-emerged as the Mariners' preferred option at the position for now. Wong probalby won't have a long leash atop the depth chart, however, given that his .474 OPS on the season places him last among all hitters in baseball with at least 200 plate appearances.
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Mariners' Kolten Wong: Belts clutch homer Monday
Rotowire
Wong hit a two-run homer as a pinch hitter in Monday's extra-inning loss to Minnesota.
Wong didn't start the contest, but he provided the biggest highlight of the contest for Seattle, slugging a two-run homer with two outs in the ninth inning to give the team a one-run lead. The dramatic blast went for naught, however, as the Twins tied the game in the bottom of the frame and won it in the 10th. The big blast was a rare positive moment for Wong amidst a disappointing season during which he's slashed a meager .162/.244/.229 with just two homers and 18 RBI over 201 plate appearances. The blast Monday was Wong's first home run since June 22.
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Mariners' Kolten Wong: Losing work at second base
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Wong is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Twins.
Wong went 1-for-6 with a walk, a stolen base, a run and an RBI while starting the final two games of the Mariners' weekend series with the Blue Jays, but he's now found himself on the bench five times in eight contests overall. He's been out of the lineup four times against right-handed pitchers during that stretch, which suggests he's lost hold of a strong-side platoon role at second base.
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Mariners' Kolten Wong: Out of lineup versus lefty
Rotowire
Wong is on the bench for Friday's game against the Blue Jays.
Jose Caballero will get the start at second base and bat ninth as the Mariners take on left-hander Yusei Kikuchi. Wong carries a brutal .158/.240/.211 overall season slash line and he's posted just a .274 OPS versus southpaws.
