MLB Player News

Smith went 1-for-4 with a grand slam in Saturday's 6-2 win over the Royals.

Smith played the role of hero Saturday, crushing a walk-off grand slam in his team debut to punctuate Atlanta's six-run comeback in the ninth inning. With Sean Murphy (hip) on the injured list to begin the year and Jurickson Profar suspended for the entire season, the left-handed-hitting Smith has a clear pathway to at-bats at designated hitter versus right-handed pitching for the time being.

Stewart went 2-for-4 with a solo home run, two RBI and a walk in Saturday's 6-5 win over the Red Sox.

Stewart's wrist soreness, which stems from being hit by a 110-mph liner Opening Day, didn't seem to be an issue Saturday, as he stayed hot at the plate. The first baseman had an RBI single in the first inning and then took Sonny Gray deep in the third. Batting cleanup for Cincinnati, Stewart is 5-for-8 with two doubles, one home run and two RBI through two games to begin the regular season.

Hoskins isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against Seattle.

Hoskins will get a chance to catch his breath after going 3-for-6 with a run scored and a pair of walks over the first two games of the season. His absence will put Kyle Manzardo at first base and open a spot in the lineup for Angel Martinez to start in left field.

The Brewers placed Vaughn on the 10-day injured list Saturday with a hamate fracture in his left hand.

Vaughn made an early exit from Thursday's game against the White Sox after hitting a single in the sixth inning, and imaging revealed a fracture afterwards. He's slated to undergo surgery Monday and will miss roughly 4-to-6 weeks. Jake Bauers and Gary Sanchez will be in the mix for starts at first base while Vaughn is out, and Jeferson Quero will come up from Triple-A Nashville to offer depth at catcher while freeing up Sanchez to occasionally start at first.

Stewart will start at first base and bat fourth Saturday against the Red Sox.

Concerns regarding Stewart's health arose after he took a 110-mph Roman Anthony line drive off his wrist in the fifth inning of Thursday's contest, but Stewart said Saturday that he only feels a little sore and will continue to play, per Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer. The 22-year-old infielder finished the season opener 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles and is poised to start most games at first base for the Reds, though he's also capable of covering second or third.

Santana started at first base and went 1-for-3 with a walk, a double and a run scored in Friday's 5-4 loss to the Dodgers.

Santana started the first two games of the regular season at first base against right-handers, while the lefty-swinging Pavin Smith dealt with an elbow issue early in the regular season. Those two are expected to share first base and DH early on. Designated hitter will become more crowded when Lourdes Gurriel (knee) is ready to rejoin Arizona. The soon-to-be 40-year-old Santana is coming off a 2025 season in which he posted a career-low .325 slugging percentage (11 HR, 22 XBH).

Manzardo started as the designated hitter and went 0-for-4 with four strikeouts in Friday's 5-1 loss to the Mariners.

Manzardo has been stuck at DH the first two games of the season, with both starts coming against right-handed pitchers. The right-handed-hitting Rhys Hoskins started at first in both games. There was some thought that Manzardo would see more time at first base this season with Carlos Santana no longer on the team, but those plans apparently changed when the Guardians signed Hoskins after spring training started.

France will start at first base and bat seventh in Friday's game versus the Tigers.

After the lefty-swinging Gavin Sheets started at first base Opening Day against southpaw Tarik Skubal, the Padres will go with the right-handed-hitting France versus lefty Framber Valdez. San Diego is expected to give Sheets plenty of run at first base against lefties this season, but France and Nick Castellanos will also be in the mix at the position.

Rice is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Giants.

After going 1-for-4 with a walk and a run scored Wednesday, Rice will take a seat Friday afternoon against southpaw Robbie Ray. Paul Goldschmidt will draw the start at first base.

Caglianone isn't part of the starting lineup for Friday's game against Atlanta.

The lefty-hitting Caglianone will dodge a matchup with Chris Sale on Friday, allowing Starling Marte to draw the start in right field. Caglianone and Marte are expected to platoon to begin the season, but Caglianone could earn looks against left-handed pitching with a strong start.