MLB Player News

Thomas was mostly starting against lefties initially, but it seemed like that was changing last week, when he started twice in a row against righties. He actually went 7-for-14 with two homers during that four-game run of starts, only to find himself back on the bench this week. Last night, he came off the bench and did go 0-for-3, though one of his balls in play was hit 114.6 mph. He seems like someone the A’s should be taking a longer look at. Instead, they have Carlos Cortes playing right field today.

Williams has scuffled with the bat to begin the year, and the 22-year-old will get a chance to see another game from the bench after also sitting out Wednesday. Ben Williamson will hit seventh and handle shortstop duties with Williams out.

Gil will make his season debut for New York after opening the season in the minors to get stretched out. The 27-year-old has shown flashes of brilliance in his young career, but is difficult to trust as more than a streamer. The Rays do present some potential rewards in that regard, however.

Betts must have experienced pain while crossing home plate on a run-scoring double by Freddie Freeman. The 33-year-old will miss the rest of Saturday’s contest with Miguel Rojas taking over at shortstop. Betts likely won’t be in the lineup Sunday, either, but his status is one that should be updated prior to that contest.

Miguel Rojas took over at shortstop in the bottom of the first frame after Betts scored a run on a Freddie Freeman double. There should be an update on why Betts needed to leave the game in the coming innings, but logic suggests there was some sort of injury for the 33-year-old while rounding the bases.

The initial lineup showed Carroll hitting leadoff, but Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo told reporters there was a “typo.” We can’t relate. Ketel Marte will remain at the top against Bryce Elder and the Atlanta bullpen.

Schmitt was a late scratch Friday due to tightness in his back, and the 27-year-old will sit to begin Saturday’s game as well. Jerar Encarnacion is hitting ninth and playing first in Schmitt’s absence.

This is likely a corresponding move with Cade Horton (forearm) assuredly heading to the injured list. Martin will have a chance to make his MLB debut as a 28-year-old as a member of the Chicago bullpen.

No surprise here, especially with temperatures in Minnesota hovering around 30 degrees with a chance of snow in the forecast. Buxton will get some extra time off to rest and recover this weekend after being suffering a forearm contusion when he was hit by a pitch during the seventh inning of Friday’s showdown against the Rays. The encouraging news for the Twins, and fantasy managers, is that initial X-rays came back negative for any fractures. The 32-year-old fantasy stalwart is presumably day-to-day heading into Sunday’s series finale. It’ll be James Outman patrolling center field in his absence.

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo has flipped Carroll and Ketel Marte in the batting order with the latter off to a dismal 5-for-30 start at the plate through eight games. The move hopefully is able to jump-start Marte with the added benefit of getting Carroll a few additional plate appearances to do some damage.

It’s notable that Fernandez is getting an opportunity at the cold corner with veteran Carlos Santana off to a frigid .043 (1-for-23) start through seven games. The 22-year-old rookie has gone 3-for-9 with two homers and four RBI through three games since being called up earlier this week.