Left-hander Rex Brothers and infielders Eric Sogard and Matt Duffy had their contracts selected. Infielder Ildemaro Vargas was designated for assignment. Duffy earned a bench spot over Vargas, who had been competing for the second-base job during camp.
In explaining why Duffy made the team over Vargas, manager David Ross pointed to already being covered at shortstop depth with Sogard and the numbers Duffy has produced during his career when healthy.
“The quality of the at-bat, every single time he gets in the box and the versatility that (Duffy) has,” Ross said. “They both have a lot of versatility, but I’ve just thought it’s a little more contact, quality on-base at-bat.