Gonzalez (back) will be the designated hitter for the Mets' Grapefruit League opener against Atlanta on Friday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Gonzalez only appeared in 71 games with the Dodgers in 2017 due to chronic back pain, so it's a good sign that he's been immediately thrust into action with no report of any limitations this spring. He looks to have the inside track for the starting first base job over Dominic Smith -- who will be starting at the position during Friday's game -- though Gonzalez's health will be a vital aspect of the competition. Prior to last year, Gonzalez has appeared in over 156 games every season since 2006.

Mets manager Mickey Callaway said Tuesday that Gonzalez (back) has the inside track for the primary first-base role, Matt Ehalt of The Bergen Record reports.

EDGE Analysis

Gonzalez missed more than half of the past season with chronic back pain and saw his role with the Dodgers diminish following the emergence of star rookie Cody Bellinger, resulting in him heading elsewhere in free agency. He settled on a one-year, low-cost contract with the Mets and will look to prove to the coaching staff that he's healthy and still capable of providing the high-contact approach that has defined his career. Gonzalez's primary competition will come in the form of Dominic Smith, who transformed his body and refined his approach at the plate during the offseason after a disappointing first trial in the big leagues in the second half of 2017. If the lefty-hitting Gonzalez does beat out Smith for the everyday gig, he may still be forced to settle for a large-side platoon role, with right-handed hitters Todd Frazier and Wilmer Flores seemingly representing his most logical partners.

Gonzalez (back), who agreed to a one-year contract with the Mets over the weekend, could open the season as the team's primary first baseman, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 35-year-old Gonzalez was limited to just 71 games with the Dodgers last season due to recurring back problems, so he'll first need to prove that he's healthy in spring training before being thrust into any competition with Dominic Smith for a starting role. However, with Smith proving largely unimpressive during his six-week stint as the Mets' first baseman last season, it would behoove the organization to sent him back to Triple-A Las Vegas for further refinement in the event Gonzalez's health holds up coming out of spring training. Though he lacks much pop at this stage of his career and could cede occasional starts at first base to Jay Bruce even if Smith opens the campaign in the minors, Gonzalez's solid contact and on-base skills may be enough to make him a decent short-term commodity in NL-only or deeper mixed formats.

Gonzalez (back) and the Mets have agreed on a contract, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

EDGE Analysis

Gonzalez, who will turn 36 in May, is coming off a season in which he played just 71 games due to a back injury. He's expected to be ready for spring training when he'll compete with Dominic Smith at first base. Even if he lands the starting job, Gonzalez's days as an elite fantasy option are behind him.

Gonzalez (back) was released by the Braves on Monday, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

As expected, Gonzalez will become a free agent for the first time in his career after being traded to the Braves over the weekend and subsequently designated for assignment. The veteran first baseman struggled to produce last season while battling elbow and back issues, but he's expected to be healthy by spring and will look to get back on track in his age 36 season. Regardless of where he winds up next season, his days as a reliable fantasy option may ultimately be behind him.

Gonzalez (back) was traded to the Braves along with Scott Kazmir (hip), Brandon McCarthy, Charlie Culberson and cash in exchange for Matt Kemp on Saturday, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports. Following the Trade, Gonzalez was designated for assignment, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Gonzalez, who is still owed $21 million next season, is expected to clear waivers and become a free agent within the week. The 35-year-old struggled to stay healthy in 2017, playing in just 71 games due to elbow and back issues. When he did play, the veteran first baseman failed to impress, hitting just .242/.287/.355 with three home runs. A healthy Gonzalez will look to catch on with another team and turn things around in 2018, though his days as a reliable fantasy option may be over.

General manager Andrew Friedman said he expects Gonzalez (back) to be healthy by the start of spring training next season, J.P. Hoornstra of the Los Angeles Daily News reports.

EDGE Analysis

Recurring back issues derailed Gonzalez's 2017 season, limiting him to just 71 games and forcing him to miss the Dodgers' run to the World Series. While the ailing 35-year-old is coming off his least productive season since his rookie campaign in Texas, the Dodgers still believe he can be a viable everyday player in 2018 when healthy.

Manager Dave Roberts said Gonzalez is dealing with tightness in his back and will be shut down for the remainder of the regular season, Eric Stephen of TrueBlueLA.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Roberts didn't rule out Gonzalez from making the playoff roster, but it sounds like it would take something extraordinary for that to happen. It's been a disappointing year for the 35-year-old, who compiled an unremarkable .242/.287/.355 line while being limited to just 71 games due to recurring back issues. It marked the first time Gonzalez was worse than a league average hitter (69 wRC+) since 2005, which also happens to be the last time he failed to play 100 games in a season. Gonzalez will turn his focus towards getting healthy for next season if he is indeed left off the playoff roster.

Gonzalez went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Tuesday's 9-2 win over the Padres.

EDGE Analysis

It was the veteran's first start in two weeks, and while he was able to deliver his third homer of the year, Gonzalez will likely retreat to a bench role in Wednesday's series finale against San Diego. The Dodgers are simply playing out the string after clinching the NL's best record Tuesday, so there could be one more start in the aging slugger's future if the club wants to give its postseason starters a breather this weekend.

Manager Dave Roberts announced that Gonzalez will be used in a bench role for the remainder of the regular season, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

EDGE Analysis

The writing was on the wall for the aging slugger, as he had spent the previous four games on the bench after returning from treatment to his ailing back Sept. 11. Gonzalez is slashing just .200/.222/.333 since returning from the disabled list Aug. 18, so he wasn't going to provide much value even if he were being used in a regular role. Roberts said the 35-year-old is at peace with the decision, closing the book on an 11-year run of excellent fantasy production.