The Red Sox released Cron on Sunday, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran slugger exercised the opt-out in his minor-league deal Friday, and the Red Sox elected to release him rather than add him to the big-league roster. Cron was limited to 71 games last season due to back issues and had a .248/.295/.434 slash line with 12 home runs.

Cron opted out of his minor-league contract with the Red Sox on Friday, giving the organization two days to add him to the big-league roster or release him, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cron played in just five big-league games after signing with Boston as a non-roster invitee March 1, and he went 2-for-11 with three walks. The veteran slugger's .729 OPS in 71 games between the Rockies and Angels last season was the first time his OPS was below .780 since 2017.

Cron started at designated hitter and went 1-for-2 with a walk in Thursday's spring game against the Phillies.

EDGE Analysis

Cron made his second start since signing a minor-league deal with the Red Sox and reiterated to Peter Abraham of The Boston Globe that he's beyond the back injury that limited him during 2023. He and Bobby Dalbec are competing as the right-handed complement to Triston Casas at first base. Recently, manager Alex Cora talked about Dalbec getting outfield starts, which potentially signals both players making the roster. Dalbec could become the righty-hitting depth option in the outfield to replace the injured Rob Refsnyder (toe).

Cron started at first base and went 0-for-2 in Monday's spring game against the Pirates.

EDGE Analysis

Cron, who signed with Boston at the beginning of the month, made his Grapefruit League debut. He told CJ Haddad of MLB.com that it felt good to be out there, after the first baseman was limited to 71 games in 2023 due to a back injury. Cron is competing for a backup job at first base along with Bobby Dalbec. Of the two, Cron has a better track record of hitting MLB pitching.

Cron is tentatively scheduled to play his first game March 11, Peter Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cron was officially added to the spring training roster Sunday after signing with Boston on Friday. The Red Sox want a right-handed hitting complement to Triston Casas at first base, and Cron will begin his bid for the job next week. Bobby Dalbec is also part of the competition, but he has a minor-league option remaining which could influence the decision.

Cron signed a minor-league contract with the Red Sox on Friday that includes an invitation to spring training, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Red Sox had been looking for someone to compete with Bobby Dalbec for a role as a right-handed slugger off the bench, and Cron fits the bill. He slashed just .248/.295/.434 with 12 homers in 278 plate appearances last year while battling nagging back issues, so the 34-year-old is not a great bet to be healthy or effective. However, there's no risk in seeing what he might have left in the tank on a minor-league deal. Cron does not figure to be a major threat to Triston Casas' playing time at first base.

The Angels placed Cron on the 10-day injured list Sunday with lower back inflammation.

EDGE Analysis

Cron's back injury has bothered him all season, and his most recent move to the injured list will keep him out for the rest of the year, as there is just eight days remaining in the regular season. He'll finish 2023 with 12 homers and 37 RBI alongside a .248/.295/.434 slash line through 278 plate appearances. Mike Moustakas (forearm) was reinstated from the injured list in a corresponding move.

Cron (back) was reinstated from the injured list Saturday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cron last played Aug. 15 but has been activated to take the roster spot of Shohei Ohtani (oblique). With both Ohtani and Mike Trout (wrist) sidelined, Cron should have the chance to earn at-bats as the designated hitter.

Cron (back) took batting practice Monday and remains hopeful to return from the 10-day injured list before the end of the season, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

EDGE Analysis

Though Cron is now partaking in baseball activities for the first time since landing on the 10-day injured list Aug. 18 with low back inflammation, the Angels will likely proceed cautiously with the 33-year-old, who has dealt with recurring back problems all season. Prior to landing on the IL, Cron had been serving as the Halos' everyday first baseman, but with the team having faded from playoff contention, he's unlikely to reclaim a major role once activated. Instead, look for rookie Nolan Schanuel to continue serving as Anaheim's top option at first base the rest of the way.

Cron (back) is still experiencing soreness and hasn't yet resumed baseball activities, the Associated Press reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cron is eligible to be activated after going on the 10-day IL on Aug. 18, but he doesn't appear to be particularly close to a return. The veteran first baseman was diagnosed with lower-back inflammation prior to hitting the injured list, and he had been struggling since joining the Angels at the end of July, slashing just .217/.280/.283 with one homer, five RBI and a 4:14 BB:K over 14 contests. The Angels have fallen 10.5 games out of an AL wild-card spot with the season winding down, so they probably won't rush Cron back and may continue to start rookie Nolan Schanuel (illness) at first base even if Cron is able to return.