MLB Player News

Dalbec appears to have won a spot on the roster, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Confirmation of Boston's 26-man roster is still pending, but the Red Sox released Dalbec's main competition, C.J. Cron, on Sunday. The team could still be in the market for right-handed complement to Triston Casas at first base, although manager Alex Cora told reporters that there is a "good chance" Dalbec sticks. He finished the Grapefruit League batting .255 (12-for-47) with three home runs and nine RBI. His position versatility could be helpful, as Dalbec can play both corner infield spots.

Votto (ankle) is likely to stay back in extended spring training at the start of the season, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Votto has made improvement with his right ankle injury but has yet to resume full baseball activities, though manager John Schneider said Monday that the veteran first baseman could do so within the next few days, per Keegan Matheson of MLB.com. The 40-year-old is likely to be assigned to Triple-A Buffalo once healthy, with the hope that he can eventually earn a look with the big club.

Rizzo (lat) will start at designated hitter and bat cleanup for the Yankees in Monday's game against the Mets, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

Rizzo had to be scratched from the lineup Friday due to some lat tightness, but he's feeling well enough to hit Monday and should be fine to play first base in Thursday's opener in Houston. The 34-year-old has looked sharp at the dish this spring, sporting a 1.189 OPS with two home runs.

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.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Sunday he expects Rizzo (lat) to be available for Thursday's Opening Day matchup with the Astros, Brendan Kuty of The Athletic reports.

The veteran first baseman recently expressed confidence that he'd be available for the season opener, and Boone is now reinforcing that idea. Rizzo was scratched from Friday's spring lineup due to lat tightness, and it's not surprising the Yankees are exercising caution in the lead-up to Opening Day.

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.

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.

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.

Manager Matt Quatraro informed Loftin that he made the Royals' Opening Day roster, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports Saturday.

Loftin will provide cover all around the infield. His best chance for playing time early in the season is at second base, as Michael Massey (back) is set to begin the season on the injured list. Loftin provides a right-handed bench bat for the Royals, so he shouldn't be expected to see more than a short-side platoon role initially. Loftin has hit .325 over 16 Cactus League games, displaying his solid contact-hitting skills.

Mancini opted out of his minor-league contract with the Marlins on Saturday, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Mancini's decision suggests he was not going to make Miami's Opening Day roster, so he will now try his luck on the open market. Mancini slashed .234/.299/.336 with 28 RBI across 261 plate appearances with the Cubs last season and may still be able to find a big-league opportunity with a team in search of 1B/OF depth.