MLB Player News

McCann was pinch-hit for in the ninth inning of the Braves’ 13-1 blowout loss to the Cardinals in Game 5 of the NLDS on Wednesday. He finished the night 1-for-3. The 35-year-old backstop spent most of his 15-year career with the Braves -- with stops with the Astros and Yankees in between -- and he goes out with a career .789 OPS, 1,590 hits, and 282 homers along with seven All-Star appearances. The Braves will likely look for a platoon catcher to go with Tyler Flowers in the offseason -- assuming they pick up Flowers’ club option for $6 million in 2020 -- with prospect Alex Jackson also a potential option.

If this game had taken place two days ago, Skenes would have been lifted after 30 pitches and brought back out for the second inning. Alas, that couldn’t happen in the regular season. Skenes made his own trouble by walking Francisco Lindor and Luis Robert Jr. in the first, but the first two hits he allowed were soft singles and the third was a bases-loaded triple that Oneil Cruz misplayed in center. The fourth was a double that Cruz lost in the sun. There was nothing wrong with Skenes’ stuff today, but the Pirates simply couldn’t risk continuing on with him at 37 pitches in the first in the first game of the season. Most likely, Skenes will make his next start Wednesday against the Reds. The Pirates, though, would have the option of bringing him back early if they’d like.

With the Cardinals starting left-hander Matthew Liberatore, the Rays will turn to Jonny DeLuca in right field and Ryan Vilade in left field, with both Simpson and Jake Fraley on the bench. The Rays do love to platoon, so fantasy managers should expect this to continue for Simpson. He would likely still enter games as a pinch runner when he doesn’t start, but this will lower his projected at-bat totals. The remainder of the Rays’ lineup on Thursday is: Yandy Diaz DH, Ryan Vilade LF, Jonathan Aranda 1B, Junior Caminero 3B, Ben Williamson 2B, Jonny DeLuca RF, Nick Fortes C, Cedric Mullins CF, and Carson Williams SS.

There had been some thought that Adam Frazier would start against most right-handed pitchers to begin the season, but with the Astros starting Hunter Brown, it will be Peraza who gets the first start. Peraza was once a top prospect in the Yankees’ system, but lost a spring training battle to Anthony Volpe years ago and was never able to get consistent at-bats after that. However, he hit .315 with two home runs and six steals in 57 plate appearances this spring and is worth keeping an eye on in fantasy leagues. The rest of the Angels’ lineup is: Zach Neto SS, Mike Trout CF, Nolan Schanuel 1B, Jorge Soler DH, Yoan Moncada 3B, Jo Adell RF, Josh Lowe LF, Logan O’Hoppe C, and Oswald Peraza 2B.

Stewart is coming off a strong spring and a good end of the season in his MLB debut last year. If he continues to hit in the middle of this lineup, he’s going to have tremendous value this season. The rest of the Reds’ Opening Day lineup is: T.J. Friedl CF, Matt McLain 2B, Elly De La Cruz SS, Sal Stewart 1B, Eugenio Suarez DH, Spencer Steer LF, Tyler Stephenson C, Noelvi Marte RF, and Ke’Bryan Hayes 3B.

Hader “hoping” to face hitters in mid-April is not the same as him definitely doing that, but it’s obviously good news. He would first face those hitters in live batting practice and then head to Triple-A on a rehab assignment. That would mean that, if all goes well, Hader could return to the Astros bullpen at the beginning of May.

Crawford won the center field job in spring and figures to play almost every day for the Phillies. He’s a good defender, which will keep him in the lineup, and he has solid speed, but he doesn’t figure to bring much in the way of power early in his career. That and his spot at the bottom of the order will keep his fantasy value in check a bit early in the season. The rest of the Phillies’ lineup on Opening Day is: Trea Turner SS, Kyle Schwarber DH, Bryce Harper 1B, Alec Bohm 3B, Bryson Stott 2B, Adolis Garcia RF, Brandon Marsh LF, J.T. Realmuto C, and Justin Crawford CF.

The Rangers have said they wanted to get Carter in the lineup more against lefties, but it won’t be against Cristopher Sanchez on Opening Day. Instead, Wyatt Langford will shift over to center field, and Sam Haggerty will enter the lineup in left field. The Rangers’ full Opening Day lineup is: Brandon Nimmo RF, Wyatt Langford CF, Corey Seager SS, Jake Burger 1B, Andrew McCutchen DH, Josh Jung 3B, Josh Smith 2B, Danny Jansen C, and Sam Haggerty LF.

McGonigle earned a starting job in spring training and won’t be buried at the bottom of the lineup. That’s good news for McGonigle’s potential RBI totals this season. The remainder of the Tigers’ starting lineup is: Kerry Carpenter RF, Gleyber Torres 2B, Colt Keith DH, Riley Greene LF, Spencer Torkelson 1B, Kevin McGonigle 3B, Dillon Dingler C, Parker Meadows CF, and Javier Baez SS.

The Astros had said Peña would be ready for Opening Day, and he looked ready after homering in his first game back from a fractured ring finger, but it will be Carlos Correa at shortstop on Opening Day with Isaac Paredes at third base. In fact, Peña isn’t even with the team. He is taking live at-bats in Sugar Land on Thursday. It’s unclear what that means for his availability over the next few days, but it would be a shock if he wasn’t in the lineup soon, considering the team decided not to put him on the IL. The Astros’ lineup for Opening Day is: Jose Altuve 2B, Yordan Alvarez DH, Isaac Paredes 3B, Carlos Correa SS, Joey Loperfido LF, Cam Smith RF, Christian Walker 1B, Yainer Diaz C, and Jake Meyers CF.

Perhaps this is connected to Mike Tauchman’s injury, but the Mets inked Tommy Pham to a minor league deal and will send him to Triple-A Syracuse. The 38-year-old hit .245/.330/.370 with 10 home runs and five steals in 449 plate appearances for the Pirates last season. He could be an option for the Mets against lefties at some point this season.