Daily Baseball Update - 3/31/2021
In baseball the last 24 hours: teams continue to finalize Opening Day rosters, George Springer likely won't be ready for Opening Day, & more.
Good morning.
It’s March 31st, 2021 and here’s everything that happened in the world of baseball over the last 24 hours.
The Most Important Thing
Opening Day is TOMORROW.
Everything Else
Tuesday Recaps
Transactions
The Dodgers signed OF Steven Souza to a minor league deal, per Jon Heyman.
The Cubs signed LHP Tyler Olson to a minor league deal, per Robert Murray.
Red Sox moves: signed RHP Hector Rondon to a minor league deal; optioned RHP Colton Brewer and INF Michael Chavis to Triple-A Worcestor.
The Mets re-signed RHP Tommy Hunter to a minor league deal.
The Tigers announced several roster moves.
Braves moves: optioned SS Johan Camargo and C William Contreras to the team’s alternate site; signed C Jeff Mathis to a minor league deal, per David O’Brien.
Giants moves: re-assigned RHPs Dominic Leone, Trevor Gott, Zack Littell, and Nick Tropeano to minor league camp.
The Angels optioned RHP James Hoyt to the team’s alternate site.
The Brewers outrighted RHP Ray Black to Triple-A Nashville.
Rangers moves: purchased the contracts of INF Brock Holt and RHP Ian Kennedy; placed RHP Jose Leclerc on the 60-day IL after he underwent Tommy John surgery; placed RHP Jonathan Hernandez (elbow) on the 60-day IL
The White Sox announced several roster moves.
Royals moves: optioned 1B Ryan O’Hearn, LHP Richard Lovelady, and RHP Jake Newberry to Triple-A Omaha.
The Orioles released 2B Yolmer Sanchez.
Pirates moves: re-signed 3B Todd Frazier to a minor league deal; released C Tony Wolters.
The Yankees received INF Kyle Holder has a Rule 5 Draft return from the Reds and assigned him to the alternate site.
Injuries/Chatter
White Sox LF Eloy Jimenez has undergone the surgery to repair his torn pectoral. He is still expected to be out 5-6 months.
Blue Jays OF George Springer (oblique) is unlikely to be ready for Opening Day, per Shi Davidi.
The Cubs are interested in Cs Tony Wolters and Jonathan Lucroy, per Bruce Levine. Wolters was recently released by Pittsburgh and Lucroy was recently released by the White Sox.
Rays 1B Ji-Man Choi will have athroscopic surgery on his right knee and will be out until May, reports Marc Topkin.
Giants President of Baseball Operations Farhan Zaidi told reporters the team expects LHP Alex Wood (back) to be back in a couple of weeks.
The Mets will wait on a resolution with SS Francisco Lindor before moving forward with extension discussions with OF Michael Conforto, says Anthony DiComo.
Red Sox RHP Ryan Brasier has been diagnosed with a grade 2 calf strain.
Adrian Gonzalez is signing with an expansion team in the Mexican League, reports Bill Shaikin.
Posts With Your Toast
Lots of rankings to begin the season.
MLB.com has power rankings ahead of Opening Day. Dodgers first, Pirates last.
Mike Axisa ranks the top Opening Day pitching match-ups.
Ken Rosenthal lists his top 21 storylines for 2021.
Mike Petriello lists the most improved teams heading into the season.
Jonathan Mayo released his preseason rookie power rankings.
CJ Cron is looking like a valuable addition for the Rockies, believes Patrick Saunders.
The Roylas are optimistic about the momentum they’ve built in the offseason and spring training, writes Lynn Worthy.
Bobby Nightengale explains how Reds reliever Amir Garrett found his voice.
Random Baseball Rewind
Foul Tips
MLB and the Boys & Girls Clubs have announced a five-year renewal of their partnership.
God bless and good day!
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