MLB Player News
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Vinny Capra 3B | BOS
Brewers' Vinny Capra: Slugs first MLB home run
Capra went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Thursday's loss to the Yankees.
Capra won a roster spot with a huge showing in spring training which saw him slug six home runs, and he drew the start at third base Opening Day. He carried that momentum into his first plate appearance, when he lined a Carlos Rodon offering over the left-field wall to lead off the top of the third inning. It was the first major-league homer for Capra, who struck out and grounded out in his other two plate appearances before being pinch-hit for in the ninth inning. Capra looks to be on the short side of a platoon at third base with Oliver Dunn until the Brewers decide Caleb Durbin is ready for a promotion, but he could hit his way into a larger role.
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Nico Hoerner 2B | CHC
Cubs' Nico Hoerner: Tallies two hits in 2025 debut
Hoerner (forearm) went 2-for-4 with a walk, an RBI and a run scored in Thursday's 10-6 win over the Diamondbacks.
Hoerner missed Chicago's two-game opening series in Tokyo earlier this month as he recovered from October flexor tendon surgery, but he was ready to go for the domestic opener. Assuming he can stay healthy the rest of the season, the infielder should provide a solid batting average -- he's hit between .273 and .283 in each of his three full seasons as a starter -- and plenty of stolen bases, as he swiped 74 bags in 2023 and 2024 combined.
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Gleyber Torres 2B | DET
Tigers' Gleyber Torres: Has solid debut with new club
Torres went 2-for-5 with a run scored in Thursday's 5-4 loss to the Dodgers. He also stole a base.
Torres batted second in his debut with the Tigers, and he figures to remain near the top of the order all season. After playing with the likes of Aaron Judge and Juan Soto last year in New York, the infielder will hit in a more prominent spot with Detroit, which could balance out a downgrade in his supporting cast. The stolen base is also an encouraging sign for Torres, who only swiped four bags in 2024 after recording at least 10 steals in each of the previous three seasons.
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Ozzie Albies 2B | ATL
Braves' Ozzie Albies: Homers in opener
Albies went 1-for-5 with a two-run homer and an additional RBI in Thursday's 7-4 loss to the Padres.
Albies opened the scoring in the first inning with an RBI fielder's choice before putting Atlanta ahead 3-2 in the fourth with a 413-foot blast off Michael King. The biggest question for Albies will be health in 2025 -- the 28-year-old second baseman was limited to 99 games last season, during which he slashed .251/.303/.404 with 10 homers and eight stolen bases.
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Willi Castro LF | COL
Twins' Willi Castro: Gets start at second base
Castro started at second base and went 1-for-3 with a double and an RBI in Thursday's loss to the Cardinals.
Castro started at second base and could get the bulk of playing time at the position until Brooks Lee (back) returns from the injured list. Castro should be a regular in the lineup, but he may alternate positions to give players days off or to fill in for an injury.
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Andres Gimenez 2B | TOR
Blue Jays' Andres Gimenez: Shoulders offense Thursday
Gimenez went 1-for-3 with a two-run homer and a walk in Thursday's 12-2 loss to the Orioles.
Gimenez supplied all of the offense for the Blue Jays on Opening Day, taking Orioles right-hander Zach Eflin yard for a two-run shot in the fourth inning. It was interesting to see the speedy Gimenez, who went 13-for-46 (.283) with two homers, 11 RBI and two stolen bases during spring training, bat cleanup Thursday, but he should see plenty of RBI chances if he sticks in the No. 4 spot in Toronto's lineup going forward.
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Gabriel Arias SS | CLE
Guardians' Gabriel Arias: Opens at second base
Arias started at second base and went 1-for-4 with a double and a run scored in Thursday's 7-4 win over the Royals.
Arias won a camp-long battle to become the Guardians' primary second baseman. The job may not be his all year, as Cleveland will track the progress of prospects Juan Brito and Travis Bazzana in the minors, but Arias should get more opportunities than Daniel Schneemann to start the season.
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Nick Gonzales 2B | PIT
Pirates' Nick Gonzales: Exits with ankle injury
Gonzales was removed from Thursday's game versus Miami due to left ankle soreness, Danny Demilio of PittsburghBaseballNow.com reports.
Gonzales smacked a two-run homer in the sixth inning of Thursday's contest but seemingly injured himself in the process, as he had a noticeable limp while rounding the bases. He's being considered day-to-day for now, though the Pirates' medical staff will continue to keep an eye on him. Adam Frazier entered Thursday's contest as Gonzales' replacement and would be the favorite to start at second base if the latter needs to miss any amount of time.
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Blaze Alexander SS | BAL
Diamondbacks' Blaze Alexander: Placed on 10-day injured list
The Diamondbacks placed Alexander on the 10-day injured list Thursday with a right oblique strain, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.
Alexander suffered the injury in late February and only just resumed baseball activities last week. He isn't a given to join the major-league roster once he's physically ready to do so.