MLB Player News

The White Sox released Moustakas on Friday, Vinnie Duber of AllCHGO.com reports.

Moustakas joined the White Sox on a minor-league contract Feb. 14 after spending 2023 with both the Rockies and Angels. He didn't show much production during spring training as he slashed .195/.283/.317 with one home home run and two RBI over 41 at bats. Moustakas will look to catch onto another team's roster.

LeMahieu (foot) did some light running and fielded some grounders Friday, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said afterward that the workout was "a good sign" for LeMahieu but added that the infielder has "still got a ways to go" before he will be ready to play in games. It's going to be a close call for LeMahieu's Opening Day readiness as he works his way back from a bone bruise in his right foot.

The Blue Jays granted Escobar his release Friday.

Escobar's .122/.143/.268 slash line over 42 plate appearances during spring training didn't give him much of a chance to make the Blue Jays' roster as a non-roster invitee. The veteran infielder also struggled with the Angels and Mets last season with a .613 OPS in 100 contests, and his days as a major leaguer could be over.

Freeman will be on the Guardians' Opening Day roster, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports Friday.

Freeman's defensive versatility likely played a big part in making the roster, as he hit a modest .286 with a .784 OPS over 11 Cactus League games. The 24-year-old provides cover around the infield and also saw ample playing time in center field during spring training. Center is one of the weak spots in the Guardians' lineup and the team is moving on from Myles Straw, who was waived. In addition to Freeman, Estevan Florial and Ramon Laureano could also see time in center, with Florial the only one of the trio who hits from the left side of the plate.

The Cubs have not yet determined whether Madrigal (hamstring) will begin the season on the injured list, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Madrigal has been sidelined for most of this month with a right hamstring strain, but he's doing better and is likely to play in a minor-league game Sunday. It sounds like it's basically a coin flip as to whether he'll require an IL stint to begin the season.

Wisdom (back) will open the season on the injured list, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

It's not clear what the official diagnosis is for Wisdom's back injury, but the club hopes his stay on the IL will be a brief one. Once healthy, Wisdom is projected to see starts against left-handed pitching while shifting between third base, first base and designated hitter.

LeMahieu (foot) played catch on the field Friday, Brendan Kuty of The Athletic reports.

LeMahieu went through some light running drills Thursday and continues to ease back into baseball activities as he recovers from a bone bruise in his right foot. The hope remains that the 35-year-old will be up to speed by Opening Day.

Baty may open the season in a reduced role after the Mets agreed to a contract with J.D. Martinez on Thursday, which was reported by Jon Heyman of the New York Post.

Baty and Mark Vientos were expected to begin the season as the Mets' primary options at third base and designated hitter. but Martinez will now be locked in at the latter spot. Baty should still hold down at least the strong side of a platoon at the hot corner given his left-handed bat, but given both he and Vientos have struggled to establish themselves in the majors thus far, either player could secure the full-time gig with a strong start to the campaign. Baty is also viewed as the superior defensive option, so he could simply retain the starting role with Vientos stuck on the bench or optioned to Triple-A Syracuse to begin the campaign.

The Tigers reassigned Malloy to minor-league camp Thursday.

Malloy will head to Triple-A Toledo for now as he continues a full-time move to the outfield. He has a shot to debut at some point in 2024.

The Tigers optioned Kreidler to Triple-A Toledo on Thursday.

Kreidler was in the race for the final bench spot on Detroit's Opening Day roster and slashed .355/.500/.548 during Grapefruit League play, but he will ultimately miss the cut. Kreidler posted an .809 OPS across 209 Triple-A plate appearances last season, and a similar start in 2024 could earn him a promotion to the big leagues relatively quickly.