MLB Rumors: Latest Buzz on Shohei Ohtani, Brock Holt and More

Shohei Ohtani is a much-hyped Japanese import who signed with the Los Angeles Angels in the offseason.

The Angels have quite a bit of hope that Ohtani will be able to take on a two-way role as a hitter and a pitcher in the American League. That's how he was sold to the American public during a 60 Minutes segment in 2017, and the idea was that Ohtani was good enough to dominate from the onset.

The season hasn't started, so that may well be the case. However, Ohtani has struggled badly at the plate in spring training and has yet to show what he can do on the mound. He has three singles in 28 at bats for a .107 average, and he has a 27.00 earned-run average in two exhibition outings.

While those numbers may be worthy of a demotion to the minor leagues, Ohtani will be on the major-league roster at the start of the season.

USA Today baseball insider Bob Nightengale reported that he was told by two Angels executives under the condition of anonymity that Ohtani would be on the roster. Ohtani will be in the lineup as a designated hitter in the opener and he is scheduled to pitch in the third game of the season March 31.

Even though Ohtani has not played impressively in spring training, Angels general manager has not lost confidence.

"He's not panicking, not at all," Angels GM Billy Eppler told Nightengale. "From a GM or a manager standpoint, that's comforting. When your players are calm, you're calm, too.'"

John Minchillo/Associated Press

The Boston Red Sox have nearly settled on their roster, but in the final days before the start of the season, general manager Dave Dombrowski will have to come to a conclusion on the 25 players who will start the season when the Red Sox open the season against the Tampa Bay Rays on March 29.

Former All-Star Brock Holt and Deven Marrero appear to be battling for the 25th spot, and Evan Drellich of NBC Sports Boston reported that one of those two players are likely to be moved in a trade.

The Drellich report included a quote from a rival baseball executive who said that Blake Swihart is in a good position to make the team, while the Red Sox are looking "to move a utility guy."

Swihart has been pounding the ball in spring training with a .905 OPS and a pair of home runs, and the team likes his bat.

Holt was an All-Star two seasons ago, while Marrero is considered a good-fielding third baseman. Marrero is out of minor league options, and Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe reported that several teams have shown interest in him.

Left-handed pitcher Hector Santiago appears to have a good chance of making the Chicago White Sox.

While nothing is official, manager Rick Renteria told James Fegan of The Athletic of his preference for a mix of lefties to follow right-handed pitching:

Despite there being no confirmation of his roster spot just yet, all signs point to him receiving an opportunity to add to his 189 MLB appearances.