MLB Player News

Okamoto will be the Blue Jays' primary third baseman to begin the season, Gregor Chisholm and Mike Wilner of the Toronto Star report.

After signing a four-year, $60 million contract this offseason to take his talents to North America, Okamoto will have a significant role for Toronto in 2026. The 29-year-old appeared to adjust to his new environment quickly this spring, slashing .316/.435/.632 in 23 Grapefruit League plate appearances.

Paredes will start at third base and bat third in Thursday's opener versus the Angels.

Jeremy Pena (finger) is on the active roster but not quite ready to play yet, so Paredes will occupy the hot corner while Carlos Correa slides over to shortstop. When the Astros' roster is fully healthy, it's going to be more difficult for Paredes to find a regular spot in the lineup.

After an underwhelming spring training, Keith may end up splitting time at third base with several other players, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Keith sported a .662 OPS and no home runs across 17 Grapefruit League games. His middling results, along with a deep Detroit roster that features Zach McKinstry and Matt Vierling as primary options at the hot corner, could force Keith into something of a timeshare. Top prospect Kevin McGonigle is on the roster as well and is expected to see most of his time at shortstop, though he could also slide over to third on days when Javier Baez plays up the middle. Either way, Keith will likely need to produce at the plate if he wants to hold onto regular playing time.

The Mariners placed Mastrobuoni (calf) on the 10-day injured list Wednesday.

Mastrobuoni strained his right calf while playing for Team Italy in the World Baseball Classic two weeks ago. He'll be eligible to return April 1, but the utility player figures to require a bit more down time than that.

The White Sox designated Mead for assignment Wednesday.

Mead is a victim of the White Sox needing to clear space on their 40-man roster. The former top prospect has yet to establish himself at the big-league level, slashing .238/.300/.317 across parts of three seasons. Mead is still just 25, so there could be a club willing to take a shot at him via waivers.

The Rays placed Walls on the 10-day injured list Tuesday with a right oblique strain.

Walls is slated to miss at least the first couple weeks of the season due to an oblique strain that first popped up in late February. Carson Williams will handle shortstop for the Rays while Walls is out and could keep the job if he gets off to a hot start.

The Angels selected Candelario's contract from Triple-A Salt Lake on Tuesday.

Candelario earned a spot on the Angels' Opening Day roster after slashing .245/.339/.612 with four homers, 10 RBI and eight runs scored over 56 plate appearances in the Cactus League. He will provide infield depth for the big club to begin the season while Vaughn Grissom (wrist) is on the injured list.

The Angels placed Rendon (hip) on the 60-day injured list Tuesday.

After reaching an agreement over the winter with the Angels to restructure the final year of the seven-year, $245 million contract he signed in December 2019, Rendon won't join the Angels for 2026 and will miss a second straight season after undergoing hip surgery prior to the 2025 campaign. However, he will remain on the team's official roster and presumably spend the entire season on the 60-day IL. Once he becomes a free agent following the season, Rendon is expected to formally retire from professional baseball.

The Orioles designated Ramos for assignment Tuesday.

Ramos slashed .316/.381/.474 with a homer, three RBI and four runs scored across 42 plate appearances in the Grapefruit League, but his attempt at making Baltimore's Opening Day roster was still unsuccessful. The 24-year-old doesn't have minor-league options remaining, so he'll also have to forfeit his place on the 40-man roster.

Monasterio will be part of a three-player platoon at second base early in the regular season, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Boston manager Alex Cora discussed his plans for second base, where Marcelo Mayer will start against right-handers. Against lefties, it will be either Monasterio or Isiah Kiner-Falefa. Monasterio was better than Kiner-Falefa against left-handers in 2025, but Cora indicated he would "mix-and-match" between the two. Fantasy managers will get an early look at how Cora handles the situation, as Boston is scheduled to face left-handers in its first two games of the regular season.