-
Ha-seong Kim SS | ATL
Padres' Ha-Seong Kim: Collects first big-league hit
Kim went 2-for-4 with an RBI in Saturday's victory over the Diamondbacks.
Making his first start of the regular season, Kim knocked a single to left field in the first inning to plate Wil Myers and give the Padres a 2-0 lead. Both the hit and RBI were career MLB firsts for Kim, who came over to the majors this winter following a string of standout seasons in the KBO. The 25-year-old will likely play all over the field during the campaign as the Padres explore ways to get his bat into the lineup.
-
Tony Kemp 2B | MIN
Athletics' Tony Kemp: Not playing regularly
Kemp is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Astros, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.
Kemp has started only one of the Athletics' first four games, as he appears to have fallen behind Jed Lowrie on the depth chart. Lowrie's lengthy injury history means that he probably can't be trusted to stay on the field for the entirety of the 2021 season, so Kemp should see playing time open up at some point down the road.
-
Gavin Lux SS | TB
Dodgers' Gavin Lux: Swipes bag, scores twice
Lux went 1-for-4 with a triple, a walk, a stolen base and two runs scored in Saturday's victory over Colorado.
The 23-year-old led off the seventh inning with his second triple in as many games and subsequently crossed the plate on Corey Seager's single. Lux has started each of the Dodgers' first three contests this season, going 5-for-13 with a pair of RBI along with the two triples. He appears locked in as the team's everyday second baseman.
-
Harold Castro 2B | KC
Tigers' Harold Castro: Enters lineup Sunday
Castro is starting at first base and batting seventh in Sunday's game against Cleveland.
Castro will be making his first start of the season in Sunday's series finale. New Detroit manager A.J. Hinch has preached the need for versatility, so Castro figures to pick up starts all over the field this year. He'll get first base Sunday with Miguel Cabrera out of the lineup after experiencing cramps in Saturday's game.
-
Andres Gimenez SS | TOR
Indians' Andres Gimenez: On bench Sunday
Gimenez is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Tigers, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.
Gimenez will cede shortstop duties to another former Mets organization mate in Amed Rosario, who is making his first career start for Cleveland. Due to his superior glovework, Gimenez is expected to serve as Cleveland's primary shortstop this season, though he could see more frequent rest days if his early struggles at the plate continue for a prolonged period. Gimenez has recorded one hit in eight at-bats through Cleveland's first two games.
-
Whit Merrifield 2B | ATL
Royals' Whit Merrifield: Big day at plate
Merrifield went 2-for-4 with a solo home run, four RBI and two runs scored in Saturday's 11-4 win over the Rangers.
Merrifield helped the Royals' comeback by knocking in a run on a fielder's choice in the fifth inning. He added a two-run single in the sixth and a solo shot in the eighth to complete a strong performance. The second baseman isn't the biggest power threat, but he's already gone yard twice in two games. Merrifield has added six RBI and four runs scored while feasting on the Rangers' pitching over the first weekend of the season.
-
Luis Arraez 2B | PHI
Twins' Luis Arraez: Plates run Saturday
Arraez went 1-for-4 with an RBI in Saturday's win over the Brewers.
Arraez reached base just once in his second straight game as the Twins' leadoff hitter, but he made the most of his only knock, plating the insurance run when he scored Andrelton Simmons with an RBI single in the top of the eighth. Arraez should remain as Minnesota's leadoff hitter and his ability to get on-base makes him a decent fit for the role even if he doesn't have the prototypical speed of a leadoff hitter.
-
Marcus Semien 2B | NYM
Blue Jays' Marcus Semien: Homers and steals two bases
Semien went 2-for-4 with a homer, a walk, a pair of RBI and a pair of steals in Saturday's game against the Yankees.
Semien hit a solo shot in the fifth inning, driving Corey Kluber from the game. He later hit an RBI groundout in the seventh inning. His two steals were perhaps the most encouraging part of his day, as he stole just four last season.
-
Mauricio Dubon LF | ATL
Giants' Mauricio Dubon: Not in lineup
Dubon is not starting Saturday against Seattle, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.
Dubon started the first two games of the season in center field, going 1-for-6 at the plate. Austin Slater will slide to center Saturday, with Alex Dickerson making his first start of the year in left.
-
Luis Urias 2B | TOR
Brewers' Luis Urias: Not in Saturday's lineup
Urias will not start Saturday against the Twins.
Urias, Travis Shaw and Orlando Arcia are expected to share starts on the left side of the Brewers' infield this season, with Shaw handling third, Urias handling short and Arcia filling in frequently for both players. Shaw has found himself in the lineup for both of the team's first two games, while Urias got the nod at shortstop on Opening Day before sitting in favor of Arcia on Saturday. It will take a bit more time to figure out exactly what the playing-time breakdown looks like among the trio.