MLB Player News

Freeman batted third in the order for both Seoul Series games against the Padres as well as throughout the Cactus League slate, contradicting a comment by manager Dave Roberts early in camp that the first baseman would remain the Dodgers' No. 2 hitter despite the offseason signing of Shohei Ohtani.

Freeman batted second in each of the 161 games he played in last season, but it appears he'll move down a slot with Ohtani now in the fold. The veteran first baseman should get plenty of run-producing opportunities with Mookie Betts and Ohtani hitting ahead of him, and he'll also remain protected with the solid bat of catcher Will Smith behind him for most games. Freeman slashed .282/.333/.667 along with four homers and a team-leading 16 RBI over 42 plate appearances in spring action and went 1-for-6 with four walks in the Seoul Series versus San Diego.

Toglia has been informed that he has made the Rockies' Opening Day roster, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Toglia beat out Sean Bouchard for the final spot in the outfield. The 25-year-old could see action in right field mostly against left-handed pitching, and he's also capable of filling in at first base on days Kris Bryant plays the outfield or is at designated hitter.

The Phillies optioned Clemens to minor-league camp Sunday, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

The 27-year-old was in the running for a bench spot on Philadelphia's Opening Day roster, but he'll end up missing out despite posting a 1.244 OPS during spring training. Clemens should receive a look with the Phillies at some point in 2024, but he'll begin the campaign back at Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

Choi, who was reassigned to minor-league camp Sunday after being informed he wouldn't make the Mets' Opening Day roster, won't exercise the opt-out clause in his contract and will begin the season with Triple-A Syracuse, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Even though the newly signed J.D. Martinez isn't expected to be available for their first series of the regular season, the Mets opted not to carry Choi as an option at designated hitter for Opening Day. Though his path to a big-league roster spot will become more blocked once Martinez is ready to make his Mets debut, Choi will stick around in the organization and stay ready at Triple-A in the event an opportunity in New York emerges.

Choi was informed Sunday he didn't make the Mets' Opening Day roster, Abbey Mastracco of the New York Daily News reports.

The 32-year-old signed as a non-roster invitee in mid-February but was unable to carve out a place on the Opening Day roster with a .182/.308/.333 slash line in 14 spring games. Choi had a .624 OPS in 39 contests between the Pirates and Padres last season, and it's unclear if he plans to stick around the Mets organization or test his luck elsewhere.

The Mets informed Voit on Saturday that he won't make the team's Opening Day roster, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Voit joined the Mets on a minor-league contract Feb. 19. He struggled in camp, striking out 12 times while slashing .100/.222/.200 with one home run and three RBI over 36 plate appearances.

The Cardinals optioned Young to Triple-A Memphis on Saturday.

Young has slashed .210/.290/.435 across 69 plate appearances in his MLB career, but a .353 OPS during spring training will send him back to the minors for the start of the season. Young found plenty of success with the Cubs' Triple-A affiliate last season, and a return to form at the plate could help him reach the majors again during his first season with the Cardinals.

The Cardinals optioned Rivas to Triple-A Memphis on Saturday.

Rivas only managed seven hits in 36 at-bats during his first spring with the Cards while driving in three RBI and scoring six runs. The 27-year-old also only carried a .229 batting average across 48 major-league games last season, but his average jumped up to .332 over 58 games in Triple-A.

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.

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.