MLB Player News

While the top of Seattle’s lineup shone brightly on day one of the regular season, the middle of the batting order did not fare as well. Newcomer Jesus Montero also went 0-for-4 with three runners left on base, while Matt Carp went 0-for-4 while stranding only one runner. Averaging 24 years of age, these young big hitters are important ingredients to Seattle’s hopes for playoff contention in 2012.

Goodman took Reds relievers Luis Mey and Jose Franco deep in the fifth and seventh innings to record his second multi-homer performance since April 14. The 26-year-old backstop has gone deep seven times in his last 15 games. He’s striking out at an elevated rate compared to his previous career norms, but it’s a manageable tradeoff if the power surge continues.

Sugano continues to look like a viable streaming option in deeper mixed leagues, scattering four hits and three walks while working into the sixth inning for the fourth time in six starts in his Rockies debut. The 36-year-old righty was able to cruise to a relatively easy win in this one after Colorado’s offense raced out to an early lead and supplied nearly two touchdowns worth runs of support. He’ll carry a stellar 2.84 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 21/9 K/BB ratio across 31 2/3 innings into a home outing against the Mets on Monday.

Shaw’s homer was a 351-footer barely over a leaping Nick Castellanos in left field. His first hit was a bunt single, with the Cubs taking advantage of the fact that it was Miguel Andujar and not Manny Machado at third. That ended up being well-timed, as Pete Crow-Armstrong followed it with a homer. Shaw’s exit velocity numbers are still pretty bad and his bat speed has dropped from last year, but he’s hitting .301/.342/.507 through 80 plate appearances. It’s just hard to see that leading to much playing time against righties while everyone is healthy for the Cubs.

Taillon allowed just three hits and one walk, but two of the hits were homers from Miguel Andujar and Nick Castellanos, accounting for all three runs in the fifth. It’s still another positive outing for Taillon, who has a fair 4.41 ERA despite giving up nine homers in 34 2/3 innings. He should be a decent play in mixed leagues next week at home against the Reds.

Brown, who stranded the bases loaded after coming in with none out in the eighth, was robbed in broad daylight. Even though Brown had thrown just 11 pitches to get five outs, the Cubs brought in Milner to face Gavin Sheets with the bases empty. They had to know the Padres would counter, but since Milner wound up striking out pinch-hitter Ramón Laureano to end the game, it all worked out for Craig Counsell. Brown is still looking for his first save, and with Daniel Palencia close to returning, it might not materialize any time soon.

The first run came in the second on a rally that started because Jackson Merrill got worried about the wall in center and misplayed Michael Conforto’s fly into a double. The other two came in the fourth, after Matt Shaw dropped down a bunt single with two outs and Pete Crow-Armstrong homered. Waldron struck out just one today. He might start against the Giants next week, but it won’t be long before he’s replaced in the San Diego rotation by Griffin Canning or Lucas Giolito.

Miguel Andujar also hit his first homer today and still has 330 points of OPS on Castellanos (.830 to .493), so we’re not sure this is going to help much with playing time. Castellanos has started three of the Padres’ last 10 games, compared to seven for Andujar and five for Ty France. It still wouldn’t be much of a surprise if Castellanos is off the San Diego roster by Memorial Day.

Williamson was charged with four runs. He gave up four hits, struck out four and issued four walks in the abbreviated 58-pitch outing. The 28-year-old lefty has worked beyond the fifth inning only twice in five starts to open the year. The lack of volume and limited strikeout potential extinguish any real path to fantasy relevance. He’s compiled an underwhelming 6.11 ERA, 1.64 WHIP and 19/20 K/BB ratio across 28 innings. He’s in line for a tough road start against the Cubs on Monday, if he’s cleared to take the ball.

He also stole a base. Ruiz, who was acquired from the Dodgers over the winter, was making his second start in six games since coming off the injured list last week. With his speed, he might be a fantasy factor if he ever convinces the Marlins to play him regularly. Still, that probably wouldn’t work out very well for the team. He’ll likely start mostly versus lefties for now.

One of the runs scored because Otto Lopez lost Alex Call’s infield popup in the sun. It’s Alcantara’s fifth quality start in seven tries, though he has only a 2-2 record to show for his 3.04 ERA. He’ll likely take on the Orioles next week.