MLB Player News
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JJ Wetherholt 2B | STL
Cardinals' JJ Wetherholt: Getting first day off
Wetherholt is absent from the lineup for Friday's game in Detroit.
Left-hander Framber Valdez is taking the mound for the Tigers, so it's a sensible spot to give the lefty-swinging Wetherholt his first day off. Thomas Saggese will cover second base for the Cardinals.
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Tim Tawa LF | ARI
Diamondbacks' Tim Tawa: Covers left field Thursday
Tawa entered Thursday's game in the eighth inning to play left field after Jordan Lawlar (wrist) was removed from a 17-2 loss to Atlanta.
Lawlar was hit by a pitch in the bottom of the seventh inning but stayed in the game to run the bases. Tawa entered in the top of the eighth and was hitless in his lone plate appearance. X-rays on Lawlar's wrist came back negative, but he'll undergo a precautionary CT scan Friday. Lawlar's availability for Friday's game is unclear. Should he miss any time, Tawa or Jorge Barrosa will likely replace him in the outfield.
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Brice Turang 2B | MIL
Brewers' Brice Turang: Homers in win
Turang went 1-for-2 with a two-run home run, a walk and a second run scored in Wednesday's 8-2 victory over the Rays.
Turang got the Brewers on the board in the third inning, launching his first homer of the season off Drew Rasmussen to tie the game at 2-2. Turang has gotten off to a hot start this season, going 9-for-22 with five extra-base hits, a 1.227 OPS and a pair of steals in his first six games.
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Marcus Semien 2B | NYM
Mets' Marcus Semien: Scuffling to begin year
Semien went 0-for-4 with a walk and two strikeouts in Wednesday's extra-innings loss to the Cardinals.
The 35-year-old second baseman missed chances to play hero for the Mets in both the ninth and 11th innings, recording the final out with runners in scoring position each time. Semien is struggling to find a rhythm at the plate to begin his first season in New York, going 2-for-20 with a double, two RBI and a 3:8 BB:K through six games, but his still-excellent defense will keep him in an everyday role for now and provide him with plenty of leash to figure things out.
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Tim Tawa LF | ARI
Diamondbacks' Tim Tawa: Gets outfield start
Tawa started in left field and went 1-for-3 with a double in Wednesday's 1-0 win over Detroit.
Arizona manager Torey Lovullo loaded up the lineup with righties against tough Detroit lefty Tarik Skubal. Alek Thomas was on the bench while Jordan Lawlar (center field) and Tawa were in the outfield. Tawa wears many gloves on the diamond and will toggle between infield and outfield for the Diamondbacks. Wednesday was his second start of the season and first in the outfield. He also served as the DH on Opening Day when Pavin Smith (elbow) was scratched.
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Nick Gonzales 3B | PIT
Pirates' Nick Gonzales: Drives in pair
Gonzales went 2-for-5 with a double, two RBI and a run scored Wednesday against the Reds.
Gonzales has been in the lineup for all six games early in the season, though he was moved up the order to hit second Tuesday. Both of his knocks came late in the game, highlighted by a two-RBI single in the ninth inning. Gonzales has been solid to start the campaign, collecting at least one hit in five of six contests while driving in five and scoring four runs.
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Luis Arraez 2B | SF
Giants' Luis Arraez: Three hits, steal in loss
Arraez went 3-for-4 with a double, a stolen base and one run scored in Wednesday's 7-1 loss to the Padres.
Arraez isn't a big contributor in the counting stats, but he's already logged two steals over six games this season. He had a career-best 11 thefts in 154 regular-season contests with the Padres last year. Speed isn't typically something that increases with age, so don't expect the 28-year-old to make a huge impact in that area. He's now batting .304 (7-for-23) with a walk, one RBI and one run scored, with his double Wednesday being his first extra-base hit of the year.
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Nico Hoerner 2B | CHC
Cubs' Nico Hoerner: Paces offense from leadoff spot
Hoerner went 3-for-5 with two doubles, an RBI, a run scored and a stolen base in Wednesday's 6-2 win over the Angels.
With Chicago facing lefty starter Yusei Kikuchi, Michael Busch slid down to fifth in the order, with Hoerner grabbing the leadoff spot. He responded with his first three-hit effort of the season and also added his fourth stolen base of the year. Hoerner is now riding a five-game hitting streak, and his ability to consistently get on base and run frequently when he does makes him a solid fantasy contributor.
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Brett Wisely 2B | ATL
Braves' Brett Wisely: Clears waivers
Atlanta outrighted Wisely to Triple-A Gwinnett on Wednesday, Lindsay Crosby of BravesToday.com reports.
Wisely no longer possesses a spot on Atlanta's 40-man roster, but he'll stick around in the organization as utility depth after clearing waivers. He appeared in 26 games in the majors last season between stops with San Francisco and Atlanta, slashing .185/.279/.315 with one home run and one stolen base across 63 plate appearances.