MLB Player News

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.

The Cardinals optioned Fermin to Triple-A Memphis on Wednesday, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Fermin was the team's final roster cut ahead of Opening Day. The 24-year-old should be used as a utility infielder at Memphis.

Brewers manager Pat Murphy said in an interview Wednesday with 97.3 The Game Milwaukee that Dunn is in line to make the Opening Day roster.

Dunn was sent to minor-league camp earlier this month, but he looks as though he'll be summoned to the majors to take over the active roster spot of Garrett Mitchell (finger), who will open the season on the injured list. The 26-year-old hit .282/.404/.487 this spring and can play second base, third base, shortstop and left field. Dunn would be making his major-league debut when he gets into a game.

The Rays acquired Goodrum from the Twins on Wednesday in exchange for cash considerations, selected his contract from Triple-A Durham and optioned him to Durham, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Goodrum had an assignment clause in his minor-league contract which allowed him to leave for a major-league deal elsewhere. The 32-year-old switch hitter is a good fit for a Rays club that likes to take advantage of versatility, but he'll report to their Triple-A affiliate for now.

The Cardinals placed Edman (wrist) on the 10-day injured list Tuesday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

It's been known for nearly two weeks that Edman would be starting the season on the injured list, and the move is now official just ahead of Opening Day. The 28-year-old has been taking part in baseball activities, but it's unclear how long he's expected to be sidelined. Prospect Victor Scott will begin the campaign as St. Louis' primary center fielder with Lars Nootbaar (ribs) and Dylan Carlson (shoulder) also on the shelf.

Garcia is likely to begin the season as Washington's primary second baseman after Trey Lipscomb was reassigned to minor-league camp Tuesday.

Garcia entered camp as the presumed starter at the keystone, but he struggled in Grapefruit League play with four errors and a .245 average. Lipscomb, meanwhile, came out of nowhere and made a strong push for a roster spot with a .995 OPS during spring training. Garcia will likely need to improve upon his .266/.304/.385 slash line from last season in order to retain the starting job throughout 2024.