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Toronto Blue Jays @BlueJays ROSTER MOVES: RHP Julian Merryweather has been claimed off waivers by the Cubs RHP Junior Fernández has been assigned outright to Triple-A

Mitch Bannon @MitchBannon The #BlueJays released more details/updates for the ongoing stadium renovation today. There will be 4 new social spaces, called "outfield neighbourhoods" free to all fans. Also new food options, including banh mi sandwiches, Jamaican beef patties, BBQ brisket nachos etc.

Ben Nicholson-Smith @bnicholsonsmith With less than three months to go before the April 8 home opener, Rogers Centre looks like a very different place. Renovations ongoing. Among the biggest changes by #BlueJays: higher walls in LF & RF. Raised bullpens closer to fans. New fan spaces on 200 & 500 levels. Ben Nicholson-Smith @bnicholsonsmith Seating capacity is also decreasing at Rogers Centre. Capacity was 44750. Will decrease to 41,500 or so in ‘23. Plus further capacity for standing room & suites. Then in 2024 when next phase of renos happens, lower bowl seats will be replaced, reducing capacity further. Ben Nicholson-Smith @bnicholsonsmith Here’s a look at the RF seats on top of the visitors’ bullpen. #BlueJays are adding bleachers here — a first for them. Ben Nicholson-Smith @bnicholsonsmith Here’s a look at the view from the 500 level, where the #BlueJays are now replacing the original seats from 1989 with wider seats while also adding fan gathering spaces — one bar & one more family-friendly area.

Shi Davidi @ShiDavidi The Blue Jays opened renovation to a media tour this morning. In Phase 1, they've tried to turn the OF into a "social district," said Anuk Karunaratne, EVP biz ops. They're adding a rooftop bar, lounge spaces, different seating options. Also, wider seats in entire 500 level. Shi Davidi @ShiDavidi Capacity in the seating bowl (not counting flight deck, boxes, etc) is decreasing ~7%, from 44,750 in 2022 to roughly 41,500. The 100-level seating around the field will be completely redone next off-season. For now, here’s a look at the 500 new seats beside the old ones. Shi Davidi @ShiDavidi My main curiosity is with the new OF wall and its dimensions. The Blue Jays say those won’t be ready to share until next month. But these images help trace its shape and perhaps adds another factor that went into the winter emphasis on OF defence. Shi Davidi @ShiDavidi First off, the walls by in the corners by the new elevated bullpens will be much higher – we estimated them at about 2.5 @bnicholsonsmith’s, or 15 feet, give or take. The wall seems to jut out from before, too, maybe to 320 feet from original 328. Shi Davidi @ShiDavidi Fans will now be on top of the Blue Jays bullpen and will have clear views of relievers as they warm. The bullpens will each have two levels, so relievers can catch shade or do their warm-up exercises beneath the mounds. Shi Davidi @ShiDavidi The wall will dip in height in the alleys and in CF, but that’s not really in place yet. The seating there will be extended right down to the edge of the wall, so every HR now will land in stands/bullpen. There will also be a new batting eye in CF with a bar in stands behind it. Shi Davidi @ShiDavidi The visitors bullpen in RF will be elevated just like the home 'pen, with deck areas in the stands above. The angles in the new wall outline suggest potential for balls to come off the wall in unusual directions. CF will need to be much more active. KK is going to be busy.

New York Post Sports @nypostsports Yankees' Frankie Montas to miss first month of season with shoulder inflammation https://trib.al/tdnRgMq

Detroit Tigers @tigers We’re adjusting @ComericaPark’s outfield dimensions and lowering wall heights in key areas prior to Opening Day 2023. https://ilitchnewshub.com/2023/01/detroit-tigers-announce-adjusted-outfield-dimensions/

Toronto Blue Jays @BlueJays OFFICIAL: We’ve signed 2x World Series Champion INF Brandon Belt to a one-year contract. Welcome to our #BlueJays family! Toronto Blue Jays @BlueJays To make room on our 40-man roster, RHP Julian Merryweather has been designated for assignment.

Chris Cotillo @ChrisCotillo Source: Trevor Story had internal brace surgery yesterday on his right elbow and is expected to miss time. Chris Cotillo @ChrisCotillo Red Sox confirm this as: Story had internal bracing procedure of the right ulnar collateral ligament (elbow). Dr. Keith Meister performed the surgery at Texas Metroplex Institute in Arlington, Texas. Chaim Bloom will talk today.

Toronto Blue Jays @BlueJays OFFICIAL: We've acquired RHP Zach Thompson from the Pirates in exchange for OF Chavez Young. To make room, RHP Junior Fernández has been designated for assignment.

Jeff Passan @JeffPassan BREAKING: Shortstop Carlos Correa and the Minnesota Twins are finalizing a six-year, $200 million contract, sources tell ESPN. The deal has a vesting option that can max out at $270 million. It is pending physical.

Chicago White Sox @whitesox Earlier Sunday evening, Liam Hendriks announced he is beginning treatment tomorrow for Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. We’re all with you, Liam!

Mark Feinsand @Feinsand The Mets have traded C James McCann to the Orioles for a player to be named later, per source. @JeffPassan was on it. Mark Feinsand @Feinsand McCann has two years and $24 million left on his contract. The Orioles will assume $5 million of the contract, per source.

Jeff Passan @JeffPassan Catcher James McCann has been traded from the New York Mets to the Baltimore Orioles, sources tell ESPN.

Rob Longley @longleysunsport I asked Ross Atkins about the fifth spot in the rotation: "We're excited about a bounce back (with) Kikuchi as well as having Mitch White on board and having some prospects that are exciting." #Bluejays

Mike Wilner @Wilnerness #Bluejays GM Ross Atkins just met the media ahead of our availability with Chris Bassitt. He’s very excited about his newest pitcher: “The arsenal is unique & dynamic. There aren’t too many pitchers in the game who can say concretely that they have seven weapons, if not more.” Mike Wilner @Wilnerness Atkins: “Early on, we identified (Bassitt) as a significant potential addition for us.” “You could argue (#Bluejays rotation is) top-5. We think it is. We’ll continue to think about ways to improve it.” Mike Wilner @Wilnerness Atkins said #Bluejays have been concentrating on run prevention to this point in the off-season with Kiermaier, Bassitt and Swanson. “Now we’ll shift to offensive improvement” which is likely to come in the form of one left-handed hitter who can play the outfield. Mike Wilner @Wilnerness Atkins: “The market for catching remains exceptionally strong and we feel like we’re in a position of strength.” Added #Bluejays don’t feel as though they have to trade a catcher. Mike Wilner @Wilnerness Atkins said that Cavan Biggio hasn’t been talked about enough this off-season. “Biggio is going to be huge for us (in 2023) with his versatility.” #Bluejays Mike Wilner @Wilnerness And finally, for the trolls. Atkins: “We have one of the best bullpens in baseball at this point, certainly from a depth perspective. It’s top-5 in our point of view.” From my perspective, #Bluejays bullpen is quite strong with Romano, Yimbo, Mayza, Swanson, Cimber up front.

Mike Wilner @Wilnerness Kevin Kiermaier met #Bluejays media this afternoon and seems awfully pumped and excited to be coming to Toronto. He was blown away by the initial Zoom call with them at the beginning of free agency. “They were speaking my language and everything sounded perfect.” Mike Wilner @Wilnerness Kiermaier believes he will be #Bluejays everyday CF. “Seems like it’s my job to lose. They want me to play every day. Opportunity-wise, no other team was talking anywhere near the Blue Jays.” Mike Wilner @Wilnerness Kiermaier said he is going to bring it in this opportunity with #Bluejays: “I’m going to dedicate myself like I never have before. I promise no one will care as much as me.” Mike Wilner @Wilnerness Kiermaier believes that he will be a different hitter in 2023 with his newly-rebuilt hip. Said that the last two years he was hitting with no lower half at all, couldn’t even hit home runs in batting practice. Rehabbing from hip surgery, says he’s at 90% now. #Bluejays Mike Wilner @Wilnerness Kiermaier says his calling card is defence. He loves running around the turf at Rogers Centre and can’t wait to make a difference out there. “Guys don’t go first to third on me a lot and little things like that matter.” He does a lot of things that don’t show up in boxscores.

Sarah Langs @SlangsOnSports Vlad could make his 2022 LIDOM debut tomorrow 👀 REMINDER all LIDOM games are on MLB dot tv Héctor Gómez @hgomez27 Vladimir Guerrero Jr. with @EscogidoBBClub in the Dominican Winter League. (via @MannyRG04)

Eno Sarris @enosarris Chris Bassitt locates his hard stuff really well (top-ten Location+ on the four-seamer) has good stuff and locations on his breaking balls (surprisingly top curve Stuff+ last season despite low velo), and could easily throw more breaking balls. Decent recipe for aging, imo.

Jeff Passan @JeffPassan BREAKING: Catcher Sean Murphy has been traded to the Atlanta Braves, sources tell ESPN.