MLB Player News
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Brett Baty 3B | NYM
Mets' Brett Baty: Officially makes Opening Day roster
The Mets informed Baty on Wednesday that he'll be included on the Opening Day roster, Abbey Mastracco of the New York Daily News reports.
The revelation comes as no surprise after Baty slashed .353/.441/.745 with four home runs and a 6:8 K:BB over 20 Grapefruit League contests. Baty also proved adept defensively at second base, and he is slated to open the season as the Mets' primary option at the keystone versus right-handers while Jeff McNeil (oblique) is on the shelf.
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Rafael Devers 3B | SF
Red Sox's Rafael Devers: Officially named DH by Cora
Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Wednesday in a radio appearance on 93.7 WEEI that Devers will be the team's designated hitter this season.
It's been clear for a while that Devers would serve as the Red Sox's primary DH, but Wednesday marked the first time Cora has officially made the declaration. Alex Bregman will man Devers' former position at third base. Devers has never been a full-time DH before, and some players can have trouble adjusting to the role, but the 28-year-old is a good bet to remain highly productive with the bat as long as the shoulder problems he dealt with last season don't flare up again.
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Nick Maton DH | CHW
White Sox's Nick Maton: Nabs roster spot
The White Sox informed Maton on Wednesday that he'll be included on the Opening Day roster, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.
Maton had a great spring to secure a roster spot, putting up a 1.045 OPS while popping four home runs. He'll be capable of playing multiple spots in the infield and outfield for the White Sox, though Maton's clearest path to playing time will come at second base and shortstop.
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Ryan Kreidler 3B | MIN
Tigers' Ryan Kreidler: Officially makes Opening Day roster
The Tigers recalled Kreidler from Triple-A Toledo on Wednesday, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.
Kreidler was optioned this past weekend, but he rejoined the club earlier this week following a rash of outfield injuries. The 27-year-old looks to be the favorite to handle center field for the Tigers while Parker Meadows (arm) and Wenceel Perez (back) are shelved.
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Justyn-Henry Malloy 3B | DET
Tigers' Justyn-Henry Malloy: Optioned to Triple-A
The Tigers optioned Malloy to Triple-A Toledo on Wednesday, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.
Malloy had a solid spring in slashing .314/.397/.373, but he wasn't able to land an Opening Day roster spot even with the Tigers battling multiple injuries. Ryan Kreidler was awarded the Tigers' final roster spot.
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Tristan Gray SS | BOS
White Sox's Tristan Gray: Fails to make team
The White Sox reassigned Gray to minor-league camp Wednesday.
Gray turned in a .977 OPS this spring and some reports suggested that he might even get some starts at shortstop with the White Sox, but he ultimately wasn't able to crack the big-league roster. He'll begin the season at Triple-A Charlotte.
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Royce Lewis 3B | MIN
Twins' Royce Lewis: Yet to begin baseball activities
Lewis (hamstring) has yet to begin baseball activities, besides throwing, and the swelling in his injured hamstring could last two weeks, the Minnesota Star Tribune reports.
Lewis is set to begin the season on the injured list after suffering a moderate left hamstring strain March 16. While there's no timetable for his return, it sounds like he could be out until late April if it's going to be a few weeks before he's able to ramp up his activity.
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Nacho Alvarez Jr. 3B | ATL
Braves' Nacho Alvarez: Goes on IL
Atlanta placed Alvarez on the 10-day injured list Tuesday with left wrist inflammation.
Alvarez tweaked the wrist in late February and the injury lingered long enough to force an IL stint. The 21-year-old will be eligible to return April 4, but it's unclear whether he'll be ready at that time and he seems likely to be sent to the minors once healthy.
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Cam Smith 3B | HOU
Astros' Cam Smith: Makes Opening Day roster
Smith will be included on the Astros' Opening Day roster and is expected to start in right field Thursday against the Mets, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
The 22-year-old top prospect still needs to be officially added to the 26-man and 40-man rosters, but that's just a formality at this point. After being acquired from the Cubs in the Kyle Tucker trade in December, Smith began taking reps in right field during spring training, and he hit the cover off the ball in Grapefruit League action with four homers and a .342/.419/.711 slash line in 43 plate appearances. The 2024 first-round pick has just 32 minor-league games under his belt, but it appears he'll occupy a prime spot in the lineup for his first taste of the big leagues, as he's batting fifth in Tuesday's exhibition versus Triple-A Sugar Land.