Angels' Jefry Marte: Improved odds of making roster

Marte's chances of making the Opening Day roster seem to have improved in light of Luis Valbuena's injury. Valbuena is expected to miss four-to-six weeks with a Grade 1 hamstring strain, Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register reports.

Analysis:

C.J. Cron figures to take on the primary share of the workload at first base in Valbuena's absence, but the door is now open for Marte to make the team as a bench option. Marte can help out at first base, third base and left field, while also providing right-handed pop in pinch-hit situations. The 25-year-old has been hot at the dish this spring, going 15-for-49 (.306 average) with three homers, nine RBI and eight walks to only four strikeouts.