MLB Player News

Ibanez will start at third base and bat leadoff in Thursday's season opener versus the White Sox.

Ibanez not only gets the nod over Gio Urshela at third base but also finds himself at the top of the batting order against left-hander Garrett Crochet. Parker Meadows -- who could be the favorite to bat leadoff versus righties -- is hitting ninth Thursday.

Rengifo isn't included in the lineup for Thursday's season opener in Baltimore.

With a .783 OPS to go with 16 home runs and six stolen bases in 445 plate appearances last season, Rengifo was one of the few bright spots for an 89-loss Angels squad. Despite that success, Rengifo doesn't look as though he'll handle an everyday role to begin the 2024 campaign, as Anthony Rendon and Brandon Drury will draw starts Thursday at third and second base, respectively, while Miguel Sano steps in at designated hitter against Baltimore right-hander Corbin Burnes. The switch-hitting Rengifo should still be a regular in the lineup versus lefties, but he may need to wait for an injury or a Sano slump before he gets steady playing time versus righties.

Westburg will serve as the Orioles' designated hitter and No. 6 batter in Thursday's season opener against the Angels.

The Orioles are going with Jorge Mateo at second base and Ramon Urias at third while Westburg slides into the DH spot versus lefty Patrick Sandoval. Westburg seems likely to play the field often when the opposition has a righty on the mound, with Ryan O'Hearn or Ryan Mountcastle serving as the DH those days.

The Rays selected Goodrum's contract and optioned him to Triple-A Durham on Thursday.

Goodrum will get a spot on the Rays' 40-man roster after he was acquired from the Twins on Wednesday, but he won't be part of Tampa Bay's 26-man active roster for Thursday's season opener versus Toronto. The 32-year-old journeyman utility player has prior experience at every infield and outfield spot, so he should be a prime candidate for a call-up if the Rays' injury concerns continue to mount. Tampa Bay will open the season with five position players on the 10-day injured list.

The Angels placed Stefanic (quadricep) on the 10-day injured list Thursday.

Stefanic initially strained his left quad in late February and suffered a setback last week. It's not clear at this point how long the utility infielder might be sidelined.

Julien is out of the lineup for Thursday's season opener in Kansas City.

The Royals are throwing left-hander Cole Ragans, so Julien will yield to the right-handed hitting Kyle Farmer at second base. While it might not be a strict platoon at the keystone, Julien seems likely to be on the bench at least against tougher southpaws like Ragans.

The Royals placed Massey on the 10-day injured list Thursday with a low-back strain.

Massey experienced lower-back tightness a little over a week ago and hadn't played in any Cactus League games since March 16, so his move to the IL to begin the season was fully expected. Per MLB.com, Massey has been limited to playing light catch since the injury cropped up, but the Royals still aren't anticipating his stay on the IL to be a lengthy one. He'll remain behind at the Royals' spring facility in Arizona to continue ramping back up and will first be eligible for activation April 4, though it may be a stretch for him to make it back by that date.

Park has been informed he will start the season at Triple-A Las Vegas, although the transaction has yet to be made official, Athletics team reporter Jessica Kleinschmidt relays.

Kleinschmidt adds that the move, when it does occur, won't be related to performance, but rather, a factor of Opening Day roster construction. The offseason addition swung a blistering bat all spring, and given the typically hitter-friendly conditions of the Pacific Coast League, Park could well put together a favorable enough body of work in the minors to earn a quick promotion to the big-league club.

Vivas was diagnosed with a left orbital fracture after suffering a facial injury Monday and is considered out indefinitely, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Vivas has since been discharged from the hospital, but he appears likely to open the 2024 campaign on Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre's 7-day injured list. Acquired from the Dodgers in December, Vivas is coming off a 2023 campaign in which he slashed .269/.381/.407 with 13 home runs and 25 stolen bases in 135 games between stops at Triple-A Oklahoma City and Double-A Tulsa.

Manager Aaron Boone said Torres will serve as the Yankees' leadoff hitter in Thursday's season opener against the Astros, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

The Yankees are facing a southpaw (Framber Valdez) in the season opener, but Torres looks like he could be the team's top choice to set the table against both left- and right-handed pitching to begin the season while DJ LeMahieu (wrist) is on the shelf. The leadoff assignment is a nice little boost for Torres' fantasy prospects, even if it might be a relatively short run atop the lineup. He had a terrific spring, sporting a 1.078 OPS with three home runs and two stolen bases.