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MLB Player News

  • Dodgers' Freddie Freeman: Slugs first homer of 2025

    Freeman went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Friday's 8-5 victory against the Tigers.

    The Dodgers were shut out by Jack Flaherty until the sixth inning, when Freeman tagged his former teammate for a two-run homer to center field. The blast was the first hit of the season for Freeman, who sat out Los Angeles' two-game, season-opening set against the Cubs in Tokyo due to an injury to his ribs. The veteran first baseman appears to be fine now and has been relatively durable in recent campaigns, as he hasn't missed time due to an injured-list stint since 2017.

  • Pavin Smith RF | ARI

    Diamondbacks' Pavin Smith: Makes first start

    Smith started at designated hitter and batted fifth in Friday's 8-1 win over the Cubs, going 3-for-5 with two doubles, one RBI and two runs scored.

    Smith was on the bench for Thursday's season opener against a lefty but made his first start Friday with a righty on the mound. The lefty hitter is coming off an encouraging season in which he achieved career highs in slugging, hard-hit and barrel rates. Smith will be given the chance to hold down the strong side of a platoon at DH, while Randal Grichuk should be in the lineup against lefties.

  • Tyler Black 2B | MIL

    Brewers' Tyler Black: Out 6-to-8 weeks with hand fracture

    Black will be sidelined 6-to-8 weeks after suffering a fractured right hamate bone, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

    It's an injury that typically requires surgery and often results in a loss of power initially upon a return to action. In all likelihood, Black won't be an option for the Brewers until at least June. He managed just a .561 OPS during his time with the big club last season.

  • Giants' Bryce Eldridge: Playing, but affiliate uncertain

    Eldridge (wrist) has resumed playing in games at the Giants' spring facility in Arizona, but the organization hasn't decided whether he'll begin the season at Triple-A Sacramento or Double-A Richmond, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

    Eldridge missed some time in spring training with a sore left wrist, and while the fact that he's resumed playing in simulated games in camp suggests he's healthy again, the Giants still want to be cautious with the 20-year-old. As a result, the team may prefer to have the first baseman stockpile at-bats in a controlled setting for the time being. Eldridge saw action at four different minor-league levels in 2024, but the vast majority of his playing time came at Single-A San Jose and High-A Eugene, with whom he combined to hit 22 home runs over 444 plate appearances. He logged just 75 plate appearances in 17 games between Richmond and Sacramento.

  • Giants' Wilmer Flores: Homers in Opening Day start

    Flores went 1-for-4 with a three-run home run in Thursday's 6-4 victory over the Reds.

    Flores delivered the decisive blow in San Francisco's season-opening win with a three-run, go-ahead blast off Ian Gibaut in the top of the ninth inning. The 33-year-old was initially expected to fill the short side of a platoon this season, though he got the Opening Day nod at designated hitter after Jerar Encarnacion (hand) landed on the injured list. Flores should see regular playing time with Encarnacion expected to miss at least a month of action. Injuries limited the veteran Flores to 71 games last season, when he slashed .206/.277/.318 with four home runs and 25 RBI.

  • Bryce Harper DH | PHI

    Phillies' Bryce Harper: Belts Opening Day homer

    Harper went 1-for-4 with a walk, a solo homer and an additional run scored in Thursday's 7-3 extra-inning win over Washington.

    After the Nationals lifted a dominant MacKenzie Gore after six innings, Harper greeted right-hander Lucas Sims with a solo shot to put the Phillies on the board in the seventh. It was Harper's first long ball of 2025, including spring training, as the superstar slugger went without a homer in the Grapefruit League but did hit a strong 12-for-41 (.293) with four RBI this spring.

  • Pavin Smith RF | ARI

    Diamondbacks' Pavin Smith: Idle against left-hander

    Smith isn't in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Cubs, Aaron Hughes of SI.com reports.

    Smith is expected to receive the bulk of starts at DH while working in a platoon with Randal Grichuk. However, a matchup against lefty Justin Steele on Thursday will keep Smith in the dugout while Grichuk enters the lineup and bats seventh.

  • Jake Bauers RF | MIL

    Brewers' Jake Bauers: Promotion official

    The Brewers selected Bauers' contract from Triple-A Nashville on Thursday.

    After producing a .199/.301/.361 slash line with 12 home runs and 13 stolen bases over 346 plate appearances for the Brewers in 2024, Bauers elected free agency following the season and re-signed with Milwaukee on a minor-league deal. He emerged from spring training with a roster spot after producing a .939 OPS in Cactus League play, but Bauers could struggle to see the extended playing time he received with the Brewers in 2024 unless injuries test Milwaukee's depth at first base and in the outfield. Bauers is on the bench for Thursday's season opener versus the Yankees.

  • Pirates' Spencer Horwitz: Goes on 10-day IL

    The Pirates placed Horwitz (wrist) on the 10-day injured list Thursday, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

    Horwitz had right wrist surgery in early February and was given a 6-to-8-week estimated recovery timetable. According to MLB.com, Horwitz has began a throwing progression and is taking swings with the bat, but he's still a few weeks away from game action. Horwitz is expected to serve as the Pirates' primary first baseman once healthy.

  • Nationals' Juan Yepez: Relegated to minors

    The Nationals optioned Yepez to Triple-A Rochester on Wednesday.

    Yepez managed just a .559 OPS through 48 plate appearances in the Grapefruit League, which is enough of a drop from his performance in the majors last year (.764 OPS) to have him sent back to Triple-A. He should receive regular playing time while in Rochester and may be a candidate to serve as bench depth in Washington if his bat gets hot.

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