MLB Player News

Kirilloff is out of the lineup for Thursday's season opener against the Royals.

The Twins are going with Manuel Margot at designated hitter as the Royals throw left-hander Cole Ragans. Kirilloff is in line to be the team's primary DH versus right-handed pitching.

Votto (ankle) will remain at the Blue Jays' spring training complex and go through a full build-up before beginning a minor-league assignment, Gregor Chisholm of the Toronto Star reports.

As the 40-year-old won't even begin that progression until his ankle is fully healed, he isn't expected to see MLB action for another month or more. That could put Votto in line to make his Toronto debut in May, but whether he gets added to the big-league roster when ready will depend on how Daniel Vogelbach performs over the first month of the season.

The Angels selected Sano's contract from Triple-A Salt Lake on Wednesday.

Just as manager Ron Washington indicated would be the case Tuesday, Sano was added to the Angels' 40-man and 26-man rosters ahead of Thursday's season opener versus the Orioles. Sano, who has four seasons of 25-plus home runs on his resume, didn't play at all in affiliated ball during the 2023 season but joined the Halos for spring training and popped four long balls over 54 at-bats in Cactus League play. However, Sano also struck out 20 times, and his boom-or-bust tendencies will likely result in him being limited to a bench role unless injuries open up an opportunity for regular playing time.

The Rays placed Aranda (finger) on the 10-day injured list Wednesday.

Aranda is expected to be out until at least early May after having surgery March 21 to insert a pin in his fractured right ring finger. The 25-year-old had been slated to open the season as Tampa Bay's primary designated hitter against right-handed pitching, and he should eventually reclaim that role once healthy.

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.

Manager Ron Washington confirmed Tuesday that Sano has made the Angels' Opening Day roster, Greg Beacham of The Associated Press reports.

Sano signed a minor-league contract with the Angels in January and was reported to have lost 58 pounds entering spring training. He did not play professional baseball last season but did suit up for Estrellas Orientales in the Dominican Winter League before spring training. Sano posted a .778 OPS with 30 home runs across 532 plate appearances in 135 games for the Twins during his last full season in 2021, and he'll break camp with the Angels despite mustering a .200/.298/.400 slash line, albeit with three home runs, this spring. Sano is expected to see most of his playing time at designated hitter as the Angels attempt to address the void created by the departure of Shohei Ohtani.

Guerrero is expected to open the season batting second for the Blue Jays, Rob Longley of the Toronto Sun reports.

The overwhelming majority of Guerrero's starts last season came from the third (110 games) or fourth (36 games) spots in the Toronto batting order. However, manager John Schneider basically confirmed Tuesday that he planned to slide Guerrero up to the No. 2 hole in between George Springer and Bo Bichette. Justin Turner will follow them in the cleanup spot.

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.

Voit was released by the Mets on Tuesday, Michael Mayer of MetsmerizedOnline.com reports.

It's not clear whether Voit exercised an opt-out or the team simply decided to cut him loose. Voit failed to make the Opening Day roster after managing just a .455 OPS in 14 Grapefruit League contests. He should be able to latch on with another organization but will probably have to spend time in the minors in the short term.

Walsh is expected to be named to the 26-man roster Tuesday, Dave Sessions of MLB.com reports.

Walsh and Justin Foscue battled it out during spring training -- each recorded more than 50 plate appearances during Cactus League games -- but the Rangers are apparently leaning toward Walsh, a non-roster invitee that needs to be added to the 40-man roster. That much was confirmed Monday, when the transactions page of MiLB.com posted the Rangers had optioned Foscue to Triple-A Round Rock. Ultimately, it was Walsh's wealth of experience at first base that was the deciding factor. With Nathaniel Lowe (oblique) set to open the season on the injured list, the Rangers wanted a more experienced first baseman, and Foscue only started playing there this spring. The right-handed hitting Ezequiel Duran will serve as the backup and possible platoon mate for the lefty-swinging Walsh. Texas faces left-hander Justin Steele on Opening Day, which may dictate that Duran draws the start in that matchup.