MLB Player News

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo told reporters they don’t want to take any chances with their starting backstop which is why he’ll undergo some precautionary imaging to rule out anything serious. There should be a definitive update on his status at some point later this weekend.

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.

With Rob Refsnyder no longer on the team, the Red Sox don’t have a clear platoon partner for Abreu. Isiah Kiner-Falefa may make some starts in the outfield against lefties, but he’s playing second base today with Marcelo Mayer sitting. This is great news for Abreu’s fantasy value, and he could be in for a real breakout season. The rest of the Red Sox’s Opening Day lineup is: Roman Anthony LF, Trevor Story SS, Jarren Duran DH, Willson Contreras 1B, Caleb Durbin 3B, Wilyer Abreu RF, Isiah Kiner-Falefa 2B, Carlos Narvaez C, and Ceddanne Rafaela CF.

The Red Sox have said they would get Mayer more at-bats against lefties this season, but that won’t be the case on Opening Day against Andrew Abbott. Isiah Kiner-Falefa will start in Mayer’s place, and fantasy managers will have to hope that this is not a locked-in situation for Mayer all season long.

With the Cubs throwing left-hander Matthew Boyd, it will be Andres Chaparro starting at first base. This isn’t a huge surprise, but it’s a little disappointing considering how poor the Nationals’ lineup is. There was some hope that they would view García Jr. as enough of a key hitter to play him against some lefties, but that may not be the case. The remainder of the Nationals’ Opening Day lineup is: James Wood LF, Andres Chaparro 1B, Brady House 3B, Daylen Lile DH, Joey Wiemer RF, C.J. Abrams SS, Nasim Nunez 2B, Keibert Ruiz C, and Jacob Young CF