MLB Player News

Alonso (mouth) will bat cleanup and play first base Friday against the Nationals.

Alonso left Thursday's season opener after getting hit by a pitch in the ninth inning. The pitch ricocheted off his shoulder into his face, but he wound up suffering nothing worse than a swollen and cut lip. He'll return Friday without missing any at-bats.

Ellis went 0-for-2 before being lifted for a pinch hitter in the seventh inning of Thursday's 4-2 win over the Padres.

Ellis got the start at third base with Josh Rojas (oblique) on the shelf for the first few weeks of the season. Sergio Alcantara replaced Ellis at third after Cooper Hummel walked as a pinch hitter in the seventh. For now, Ellis and Alcantara will share the hot corner. The organization acquired another player that can play third Thursday, picking up Yonny Hernandez from the Rangers, but he'll open at Triple-A Reno.

Alonso suffered a swollen and cut lip but no concussion after being hit by a pitch in Thursday's game against Nationals, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports.

Alonso was hit by a pitch in the shoulder in the ninth inning and immediately exited the game. However, the primary damage came when the ball deflected off his helmet, which then made contact with his face and cut his lip. Despite the scary optics, it appeared that Alonso dodged a serious injury, and he confirmed that with the media after the game. The expectation is that Alonso will be in the lineup Friday against the Nationals, though that will still be worth confirming.

Alonso exited Thursday's game against the Nationals after being hit by a pitch on the shoulder in the ninth inning, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

It initially appeared Alonso was struck in the face, though the primary impact of the ball was to his shoulder. Though he exited with trainers, Alonso appeared to be fine and walked off the field under his own power. He was also spotted in the dugout after the incident with ice applied to his mouth, further confirmation that he dodged a serious injury. Nevertheless, Alonso should be considered day-to-day and isn't guaranteed to be in the lineup Friday.

Goldschmidt went 1-for-1 with four walks and two runs scored in Thursday's win over the Pirates. He also registered one stolen base.

Goldschmidt, who's known more for his slugging, played set-up man for the Cardinals on Thursday. The 34-year-old is expected to be a high-end first baseman in fantasy this season, though the stolen base may not be a regular occurrence despite swiping 12 bags last year.

Solano (hamstring) will hit in a simulated game Friday, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Although Solano is on the injured list to begin the season, manager David Bell is optimistic the utility man won't have a lengthy absence. His participation in Friday's sim game echoes that optimism, and it wouldn't be surprising to see Solano begin a minor-league rehab assignment next week if his hitting session goes well.

Ellis will start at third base and bat eighth in Thursday's game against the Padres.

Ellis will go from being optioned to Triple-A Reno one week earlier to entering the starting nine for Arizona's season opener in the wake of Josh Rojas sustaining an oblique injury that will keep him on the shelf to begin the campaign. Ellis looks as though he may get a look as a full-time third baseman while Rojas is out. The righty-hitting Ellis is in the lineup versus a right-handed starter Yu Darvish, even though the switch-hitting Sergio Alcantara would represent a viable platoon partner.

Wade (knee) was placed on the 10-day injured list as expected Thursday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

The move was made retroactive to April 4, so Wade will be eligible to return April 14, but it's not clear if that's in play. The plan was to shut him down for 10 days, a period which ends Thursday, and then re-evaluate him, so a clearer picture of his recovery timeline should emerge soon.

Solano (hamstring) was placed on the 10-day injured list Thursday.

Solano dealt with a left hamstring issue late in camp, and the injury will force him to miss the start of the regular season. Manager David Bell is optimistic that the 34-year-old won't require a lengthy stint on the injured list, but Brandon Drury is expected to fill in as a utility man in Solano's absence.

Rivas has officially made the Cubs' Opening Day roster.

Rivas will benefit from the expanded April rosters, as the Cubs will open the year with 14 hitters and 14 pitchers. The 25-year-old isn't a big prospect but hit .318/.388/.409 in his 18-game debut last season after slashing .284/.405/.411 for Triple-A Iowa. He doesn't have an obvious path to playing time but could make the occasional start at first base or the corner outfield.