MLB Player News

Adames is on the Rockies' Opening Day roster, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

He seemed to be on the outside looking in for a roster spot toward the end of Cactus League play, but with the demotion of prospect Jordan Patterson, Adames will get the opportunity to suit up for Colorado's opener in Milwaukee. He isn't tabbed for too much playing time and doesn't have great stats at the major-league level to increase his stock, but he recently added first base to his defensive repertoire and could see most of his action as a late-game defensive replacement.

Forsythe will start at second base and bat fifth in Monday's season opener against the Padres.

Manager Dave Roberts decided to give lefty-hitting Andrew Toles the nod to bat leadoff against right-hander Jhoulys Chacin. It's likely Forsythe will get the chance to lead off against southpaws, but at least for the time being, he'll slide into the fifth spot behind Adrian Gonzalez. The 30-year-old will be a threat anywhere he hits in the loaded Dodgers lineup.

Frazier will lead off against the Red Sox and start in left field Monday.

He hit .403 in 62 spring at-bats and figures to become eligible at multiple positions in short order. Frazier comes into this season looking to build on his .301 batting average (in 146 at-bats) as a rookie. He isn't a particularly strong fielder, but the 25-year-old offers the potential to surprise at the plate.

Merrifield was optioned to Triple-A Omaha on Saturday.

A mediocre spring showing and adequate infield depth left the Royals without much of a need for Merrifield on the 25-man roster. Over 29 games this spring he hit .267 with a .710 OPS. Although it's likely that he'll make his way up to the big club at some point this season, Merrifield will return to Omaha, where he'll be in a position to get frequent reps at second base.

Tomlinson was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento on Saturday, Ron Kroichick of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Tomlinson was in competition with veteran Aaron Hill for the Giants' backup infielder spot, but the 26-year-old's remaining minor-league options likely persuaded the club to open the year with Hill. He's proven a solid backup over the past two seasons for San Francisco, slashing .299/.362/.377 with two homers and 10 stolen bases in 284 at-bats, so Tomlinson will likely earn a call-up to the big league club at some point in 2017.

Franklin was designated for assignment by the Rays on Saturday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Although Franklin followed up a decent 2016 campaign with a strong showing this spring, the Rays simply needed to trim their roster down Saturday with Opening Day approaching. While Franklin offers positional versatility, Topkin notes that the club felt more confident in Daniel Robertson's ability to serve as the backup shortstop. Franklin will now be available on waivers, but could return to the Rays if he goes unclaimed.

Motter has made the Mariners' 25-man roster, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

The versatile 27-year-old parlayed a strong spring into a spot on the Opening Day roster. Motter hit .293 with three doubles, three home runs and 11 RBI over 70 plate appearances this spring after a forgettable cup of coffee with the Rays last season when he slashed just .188/.290/.300. His ability to play up to seven positions and Shawn O'Malley's current absence due to a recent appendectomy likely helped seal the deal for Motter, who is also a stolen-base threat and has three seasons with more than 20 thefts on his minor-league resume.

The Mariners signed Beckham to a minor-league deal Friday, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports.

The second baseman was granted his release by the Giants last week after putting up a weak spring line (.194/.268/.250 in 36 at-bats). Beckham will serve as organizational infield depth and could see major-league time later in the season.

Altuve went 1-for-2 with his first spring home run in Thursday's exhibition game against the Cubs.

Altuve has settled back into training camp after a stint with Team Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic. He's hit in five straight games, a stretch that includes four extra-base hits and four RBI. He hit third in the batting order, the spot in which he hit most often last season when he posted a career-high 96 RBI.

Hernandez (wrist) is starting at shortstop in Thursday's matchup against the Angels, Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times reports.

After being hit by a pitch on Tuesday, Hernandez is set to return. Although he doesn't offer much in terms of production at the plate, the utility man figures to see some playing time this season due to his versatility in the field.