MLB Player News

Hernandez is not in the starting lineup for Saturday's game against the Diamondbacks, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Hernandez is 3-for-9 with two home runs, three RBI, four runs scored and two walks through the first two games of the season, but will take a seat Saturday versus right-hander Zack Godley. Chris Taylor will start at second base and bat seventh in his stead.

Frazier will start at second base and lead off in Saturday's game against the Reds.

Confirming what was already expected coming out of spring training, Frazier has slotted in atop the lineup in both of the Pirates' first two games of the regular season. Since the Pirates have faced right-handed pitchers (Luis Castillo and Sonny Gray) in both of those contests, it's possible the lefty-hitting Frazier surrenders leadoff duties versus southpaws, though it's not clear whom the Pirates would turn to as an alternative.

Marte started at second base and went 0-for-6 with an RBI in Friday's 5-4 extra-innings win over the Dodgers.

Marte has made one start in center field and one at second base. He's expected to see most of his time in center field, but there will be nights when manager Torey Lovullo wants to get Jarrod Dyson in the lineup, so expect Marte to move around to accommodate those managerial decisions. Thus far, Marte is hitless in nine at-bats but does have an RBI in both contests.

Solarte is batting third and will play second base Friday against the Padres, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Solarte failed to pick up a hit in one at-bat Opening Day, but he'll receive a few more opportunities Friday night. Joe Panik will head to the bench as a result.

Hernandez went 3-for-3 with two home runs, three runs and three RBI to help pace the Dodgers to a 12-5 Opening Day romp over the Diamondbacks.

Hernandez joined Joc Pederson as one of two Dodgers to notch multi-homer days, cranking a fourth-inning two-run blast off Zack Greinke before following that up with a seventh-inning solo shot off Matt Koch. The 27-year-old is expected to be the starter at second base for the Dodgers to start the season, so he should rack up plenty of plate of appearances as he looks to build on last year's .256/.336/.470 slash line he posted over 462 at-bats.

Albies, who is hitting sixth Thursday against the Phillies, will lead off against lefties this season, Gabe Burns of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Albies hit .335/.357/.548 against southpaws last year, so it was already assumed he'd bat somewhere high in the order against lefties this year. Ender Inciarte will lead off against righties.

Hoerner will open the year at Double-A Tennessee, Evan Altman of CubsInsider.com reports.

Hoerner, the Cubs' top prospect, was the rare player who played in the Arizona Fall League the same year he was drafted (2018) and the Cubs will continue to give him aggressive assignments. He is not a great defender, but is a very advanced hitter and appears to be on a fast track to the majors.

Urias will begin the 2019 season at Triple-A El Paso, Dennis Lin of The Athletic reports.

The Padres are electing to have top prospect Fernando Tatis open the season in the majors, making Urias the odd man out. The team has been weighing its options heavily all spring, but until this point Tatis was still expected to start in the minors before likely being promoted midseason. Unfortunately for Urias, the offseason acquisitions of Manny Machado and Ian Kinsler leave no additional room in the infield. Urias remains one of the Padres' top prospects, but the team likely doesn't want him in the majors if he isn't going to see the bulk of the playing time.

General manager Mike Hazen said Tuesday that Marte would see the bulk of the starts in center field for the Diamondbacks to begin the season, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

Marte had already been in line for at least a near-everyday role to begin the campaign, but his playing-time outlook was further strengthened by fellow outfielder Steven Souza going down with a serious-looking left knee injury in Monday's exhibition game against the White Sox. The Diamondbacks haven't provided a timeline for Souza's return, but he'll almost certainly open the campaign on the injured list, thereby creating an opening in the outfield. Adam Jones had previously been the top threat to poach starts from Marte in center field, but Jones will now have a clear path to regular action in right while Souza is on the IL.

Adames was reassigned to minor-league camp Saturday, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reports.

Adames was in contention for an Opening Day roster spot with Daniel Descalso battling a shoulder injury but will instead make his way to minor-league camp. The 27-year-old joined the Cubs on a minor-league deal in February after slashing .269/.324/.370 at Triple-A in 2018.