MLB Player News

Olivarez missed all of 2023 while recovering from major shoulder surgery and will likely open the 2024 campaign at Triple-A Worcester. Despite battling injuries, The former top prospect with the Rockies, who previously hit 101 mph on his fastball, holds minor league career marks of 10.4 strikeouts per-nine and a 4.32 ERA in 50 starts. The 23-year-old southpaw represents a worthwhile low-risk lottery ticket for Boston’s new-look front office under president of baseball operations Craig Breslow.

The 22-year-old second baseman is coming off of a very impressive Cactus League season. He’s expected to function in the strong side of a platoon for the M’s, though that role could expand while J.P. Crawford is shelved, which could allow him to carve out some deep league fantasy value. He’s the full alignment that manager Dan Wilson will send out on Opening Day: Brendan Donovan (3B), Cal Raleigh (C), Julio Rodriguez (CF), Josh Naylor (1B), Randy Arozarena (LF), Luke Raley (RF), Dominic Canzone (DH), Cole Young (2B) and Leo Rivas (SS).

Throughout the spring, the second base position had been framed as a platoon situation between Santiago Espinal and Alex Freeland, so naturally it’s Rojas who gets the start there on Opening Day. It’s likely just manager Dave Roberts respecting and giving the nod to the 37-year-old veteran for Opening Day. Here’s the full lineup against Zac Gallen on Opening Day: Shohei Ohtani (DH), Kyle Tucker (RF), Mookie Betts (SS), Freddie Freeman (1B), Will Smith (C), Max Muncy (3B), Teoscar Hernandez (LF), Andy Pages (CF) and Miguel Rojas (2B).

While Lourdes Gurriel is sidelined, the 23-year-old will have a chance to see regular at-bats for the Diamondbacks — essentially battling Alek Thomas to see who sticks in the lineup upon Gurriel’s return. Here’s the full lineup that the Diamondbacks will use against Yoshinobu Yamamoto and the Dodgers on Friday evening in Los Angeles: Ketel Marte (2B), Corbin Carroll (RF), Geraldo Perdomo (SS), Gabriel Moreno (C), Pavin Smith (DH), Nolan Arenado (3B), Carlos Santana (1B), Alex Thomas (CF) and Jordan Lawlar (LF).

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.