MLB Player News

Naylor is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Diamondbacks.

The lefty-hitting Naylor was on the bench for the first two games of the series while Arizona brought southpaws to the hill, but his absence from the lineup in the series finale is more significant with the Diamondbacks starting a right-hander (Luke Weaver). At this stage, Naylor may not be locked in as a strong-side platoon player for the Padres, which could make it difficult to justify rostering him outside of NL-only leagues.

Cronenworth drove in a run on a double in his first big-league at-bat Sunday.

The 26-year-old entered the game as a pinch runner in the eighth inning and came around to score on a single by Greg Garcia. Cronenworth then got a chance to hit in the ninth, driving a clutch double to deep right field to bring home a run and narrow the Padres' deficit to one run. The stellar debut could weigh on the team's mind as it decides how (or if) to juggle the roster when Jorge Mateo (illness) is ready to play.

Rizzo went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Sunday's win over the Brewers.

That's two home runs in three games for Rizzo, a welcome sign given the back issues he dealt with during summer camp. The Cubs will likely use Victor Caratini some at first base to keep Rizzo fresh, but the latter looks healthy to begin the 2020 season and should post big numbers batting second in a strong Chicago lineup.

Naylor is getting his first start of the season as the designated hitter Sunday against the Diamondbacks. He is batting ninth.

Naylor did not see any action in the first two games but will get the nod against righty Zac Gallen. The Padres faced southpaws in the first two games of the series, so Naylor may be the primary DH against righties.

Cooper is one of the Marlins' players who tested positive for COVID-19, freelance baseball writer Robert Murray reports.

Jose Urena was scratched from Sunday's start after also testing positive, and there is reportedly one additional starting position player who reported a positive test, per Jon Heyman of MLB Network. Cooper could be unavailable for multiple weeks as he waits to clear the league's coronavirus protocols.

Walker is not in the lineup for Sunday's game at San Diego.

The Diamondbacks have struggled offensively to begin the season with only three runs through the first two games, and Walker has accounted for two of those runs by going 3-for-8 with a double and two RBI. Jake Lamb will start at first base Sunday, while Kevin Cron serves as the designated hitter.

Cabrera got the start at third base Saturday and went 3-for-4 with a home run, a double, two runs scored and two RBI in a win over the Yankees.

The 34-year-old took Ben Heller deep in the seventh inning for his first homer of 2020. Carter Kieboom is limited to DH duties at the moment due to a slight groin issue, opening up the hot corner for Cabrera. He'll have some intriguing short-term value in shallower fantasy leagues and daily formats after posting a .969 OPS in 38 games for the Nats last season.

Cooper is not in Sunday's lineup against the Phillies.

He is 2-for-7 with a double, an RBI and two strikeouts through two games. Jonathan Villar will start at designated hitter while Magneuris Sierra starts in center field and Isan Diaz handles second base. Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports that two starting position players on the Marlins have tested positive for coronavirus, so Cooper could be one of the two since he is not in Sunday's lineup.

Walker started as the designated hitter and went 1-for-4 with a double and an RBI in Saturday's 5-1 loss to the Padres.

It was the second straight start at DH for Walker, who nursed a sore groin over the final week of summer camp. The Diamondbacks' offense was held to three runs over the first two games, but Walker has stood out. He's knocked in a run in each of the first two games and is 2-for-3 with runners in scoring position.

Votto went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in the Reds' 6-4 loss to the Tigers on Saturday.

Votto has a reputation as a slow starter, and he's coming off back-to-back seasons with home-run totals in the teens, but he's already got two long balls through two games. He homered off lefty Matthew Boyd on Opening Day. "I had a rough year against left-handers, really one of the few poor years against left-handers in my career," Votto told Mark Sheldon of MLB.com prior to Saturday's game. "I've said it before and I'll say it again, if I'm competitive in two-strike counts and I put the ball in play and if I'm competitive against left-handed pitchers, I'm going to have a very, very good year. So stay tuned."