ELOY JIMÉNEZ NEWS

Sent to minor-league camp The Rays reassigned Jimenez to Triple-A Durham on Sunday.

Impact The transaction was fully expected after manager Kevin Cash said Friday that the 28-year-old outfielder/designated hitter wouldn't be included on the Opening Day roster. Jimenez is slated to open the season at Triple-A Durham, but he'll have the ability to opt out of his contract on May 1 and June 1 if a promotion to the big leagues isn't imminent or if he wants to explore his options on the open market.

MARCH 24 • ROTOWIRE

Falls short of roster spot Rays manager Kevin Cash said Friday that Jimenez will not make the Opening Day roster, Ryan Bass of FanDuel Sports Network Sun reports.

Impact Cash noted that while Jimenez's bat "started to come to life" recently during Grapefruit League play, it's not going to be enough to crack the Opening Day roster. Jimenez -- who is on a minor-league contract -- will begin the season at Triple-A Durham and "could be huge for us at any point during the season," per Cash.

MARCH 21 • ROTOWIRE

Sheds 25-to-30 pounds Jimenez lost 25-to-30 pounds over the offseason, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

Impact Jimenez had to settle for a minor-league contract with the Rays this offseason following a 2024 campaign that he referred to Sunday as a "disaster." Manager Kevin Cash said that Jimenez is "really, really motivated" and will get some reps in the outfield and even at first base in addition to competing for at-bats at designated hitter.

FEBRUARY 17 • ROTOWIRE

Contending for bench role Jimenez will enter spring training in a competition for the final bench spot on the Rays' roster with Curtis Mead, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Impact Jimenez joined the Rays on a minor-league deal in late December and will earn $2 million if he makes the Opening Day roster. He struggled to get going during the 2024 season, but he had at least a .169 ISO in all of his prior campaigns. While Mead would offer Tampa Bay more defensive versatility, Jimenez has the chance to be the more impactful bat.

FEBRUARY 9 • ROTOWIRE

Signs minors deal with Tampa Bay The Rays signed Jimenez to a minor-league contract Monday that includes an invitation to spring training, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Jimenez, 28, slashed only .238/.289/.336with six home runs over 98 games between the White Sox and Orioles in 2024. He's reached 100 games played just twice in his career and hasn't hit 20 home runs since his rookie season back in 2019. Jimenez did still have a 49 percent hard-hit rate this past season and represents a no-risk, moderate-upside play for the Rays on a minor-league deal.

DECEMBER 23, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

MLB Free Agent Signings List

MLB Free Agent Signings

NOVEMBER 9, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

O's decline option The Orioles declined Jimenez's $16.5 million club option for 2025 on Saturday, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.

Impact 2024 marked Jimenez's worst season at the plate in his six-year career, as he slashed just .238/.289/.336 over 324 plate appearances between the White Sox and Orioles. Because of his poor performance, it makes sense that Baltimore would rather pay the 27-year-old's $3 million buyout than give him $16.5 million to join the team's already-crowded lineup.

NOVEMBER 2, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

O's add another reinforcement; Eloy optioned, Kimbrel released NEW YORK -- Yet another reinforcement has arrived for the Orioles. On Tuesday, Baltimore reinstated first baseman Ryan Mountcastle from the...

SEPTEMBER 24, 2024 • MLB.COM

Accepts move to Triple-A Jimenez accepted Baltimore's decision to option him to Triple-A Norfolk on Tuesday, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Impact Jimenez had to approve the move to the minors due to his MLB service time, and he apparently would like to remain in the Orioles organization. The 27-year-old played in 33 games since being acquired from the White Sox and posted a .232/.270/.316 slash line with one homer in 100 plate appearances.

SEPTEMBER 24, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Not playing regularly vs. RHPs Jimenez is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Red Sox.

Impact Ryan Mountcastle's (wrist) move to the injured list in late August looked as though it might open up everyday playing time at designated hitter for Jimenez, but the Orioles have instead chosen to rotate a number of players at the DH spot. Jimenez still appears to be the Orioles' preferred DH versus left-handed pitching, but he finds himself on the bench for the fourth time in Baltimore's last five matchups with righties.

SEPTEMBER 11, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Heading to bench Monday Jimenez is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the White Sox.

Impact Following Ryan Mountcastle's (wrist) move to the injured list a week ago, Jimenez has moved into a near-everyday role for the Orioles, starting in seven of the last eight games. According to Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com, Anthony Santander may not be moving around at full speed after tripping while rounding first base in Sunday's 6-1 win over the Rockies, so he'll get a day out of the outfield and will serve as the designated hitter Monday, which leaves no room in the lineup for Jimenez. Assuming Santander is cleared to play the outfield later on in the series, Jimenez should reclaim a spot in the starting nine in short order.

SEPTEMBER 2, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Hits first homer with new team Jimenez went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Saturday's 7-5 loss to the Rockies.

Impact The homer was Jimenez's first in 23 games with the Orioles. He's slashed .296/.315/.408 with seven RBI since he was traded from the White Sox, which has breathed new life into his campaign. Overall, Jimenez has a .253/.301/.360 slash line, six homers, 23 RBI, 24 runs scored, 14 doubles and three stolen bases over 88 contests this season. Jimenez has seen more steady work as the designated hitter since Ryan Mountcastle (wrist) went on the injured list, which opened up first base for Ryan O'Hearn and Emmanuel Rivera.

SEPTEMBER 1, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Hits first homer with new team Jimenez went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Saturday's 7-5 loss to the Rockies.

Impact The homer was Jimenez's first in 23 games with the Orioles. He's slashed .296/.315/.408 with seven RBI since he was traded from the White Sox, which has breathed new life into his campaign. Overall, Jimenez has a .253/.301/.360 slash line, six homers, 23 RBI, 24 runs scored, 14 doubles and three stolen bases over 88 contests this season. Jimenez has seen more steady work as the designated hitter since Ryan Mountcastle (wrist) went on the injured list, which opened up first base for Ryan O'Hearn and Emmanuel Rivera.

SEPTEMBER 1, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Orioles bring 1-0 series advantage over Red Sox into game 2

The Baltimore Orioles face the Boston Red Sox, leading the series 1-0

AUGUST 16, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Taking seat Thursday Jimenez is absent from the lineup for Thursday's game versus the Red Sox.

Impact Jimenez made four straight starts from Aug. 3-7 but has not started consecutive games since. Each of his last two starts have been against left-handers, as he now looks to be pegged for a short-side platoon at designated hitter with Ryan O'Hearn.

AUGUST 15, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

The Mookie Betts deal and the 15 worst MLB trades of the past decade

Colin Cowherd believes the Mookie Betts trade is one of the two worst in MLB history. Here's a look at the 15 worst trades over the past dec...

AUGUST 14, 2024

Not in Baltimore lineup Jimenez is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game versus the Nationals.

Impact After starting four straight contests, Jimenez has now been in the lineup just two times over the previous five games. The 27-year-old is 12-for-24 at the plate to begin his Orioles career but is still contending with Ryan O'Hearn for starts at designated hitter.

AUGUST 13, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Nationals look to break 4-game road skid, play the Orioles

The Washington Nationals hit the road against the Baltimore Orioles looking to end a four-game road losing streak

AUGUST 13, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Getting Saturday off Jimenez isn't in the Orioles' lineup for Saturday's game versus the Rays.

Impact Jimenez has been white-hot at the plate since joining the Orioles, going 11-for-21 with four RBI across seven games. He'll get a breather Saturday against Drew Rasmussen and the Rays, moving Anthony Santander into the DH spot and Austin Slater into right field.

AUGUST 10, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Stays hot with three hits Jimenez went 3-for-4 in Friday's 4-1 win over the Rays.

Impact Jimenez already has four multi-hit efforts as an Oriole, and he played in his seventh game with the team Friday. All three of his hits in this contest were singles. Still, Jimenez appears to have just needed a change of scenery after struggling with the White Sox prior to the trade deadline. The 27-year-old is up to a .264/.315/.368 slash line with five home runs, 20 RBI, 19 runs scored, three stolen bases and 11 doubles over 72 contests this year.

AUGUST 10, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting down Thursday Jimenez isn't in the Orioles' lineup for Thursday's game versus the Blue Jays.

Impact Jimenez will get a day to rest Thursday after going 8-for-15 with four RBI over his last four games. His absence will put Anthony Santander into the DH role while Colton Cowser, Cedric Mullins and Ryan O'Hearn start across the outfield.

AUGUST 8, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Pushing for everyday role Jimenez will start at designated hitter and bat seventh in Wednesday's game against the Blue Jays.

Impact Jimenez was widely expected to fill the short side platoon of a platoon DH when the Orioles acquired him from the White Sox on July 30, but the 27-year-old appears to have pushed his way into a near-everyday role, at least while he's swinging a hot bat. He'll be picking up his fourth consecutive start -- including his third in a row against a right-hander (Bowden Francis) -- after going 6-for-12 with a double and two RBI to begin his tenure with the Orioles. Meanwhile, the lefty-hitting Cedric Mullins will head to the bench for the second game in a row.

AUGUST 7, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Racks up three hits in win Jimenez went 3-for-5 with a double and one RBI in Sunday's 9-5 win over the Guardians.

Impact Jimenez has gone 5-for-9 with two RBI over three contests since he was traded from the White Sox to the Orioles. He started against a right-hander (Gavin Williams) in Sunday's contest, which suggests Ryan O'Hearn could occasionally move to first base against righties, which could cost Ryan Mountcastle some playing time. Jimenez is at a .252/.306/.357 slash line with five home runs, 18 RBI, 18 runs scored, 10 doubles and three stolen bases over 68 games this year.

AUGUST 5, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Moving to Baltimore The Orioles acquired Jimenez from the White Sox on Tuesday for an unspecified return, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Jimenez has a .240/.297/.345 slash line in the final guaranteed year of his contract, and Chicago was finally able to offload what little remains of that deal. He also has a $16.5 million club option with a $3 million buyout for 2025. Jimenez won't significantly move the needle for the Orioles, but he could see some starts against left-handed pitching since primary designated hitter Ryan O'Hearn typically starts versus righties.

JULY 30, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Absent from lineup Saturday Jimenez is not in the starting lineup for Saturday's game against Seattle.

Impact Jimenez will begin Saturday's game in the dugout after going 0-for-4 with two strikeouts in Friday's 10-0 loss to the Mariners. Gavin Sheets will serve as the designated hitter and bat second.

JULY 27, 2024 • ROTOWIRE