MLB Player News

Torres went 1-for-3 with two-run home run, a walk, an additional run scored and a stolen base during Thursday's 5-0 win over the Giants.

Starting at DH and batting sixth, Torres took Logan Webb deep to right in the bottom of the fourth inning. He then drew a walk and eventually crossed the plate again on a DJ LeMahieu single in the bottom of the seventh. Trade rumors swirled around Torres all spring as the Yankees continued to lose starting pitchers to injuries, but he remains in the Bronx with the tools to provide strong fantasy production throughout the 2023 campaign and is off to a strong start.

Astros general manager Dana Brown expressed optimism Thursday that Altuve (thumb) will be back from the injured list before June, Mark Berman of FOX 26 reports.

Brown said when Altuve had thumb surgery just over a week ago that the second baseman wouldn't be able to resume baseball activities for two months. Evidently that was either a conservative estimate, or the club expects Altuve to get back up to speed very quickly upon ramping things up again. Altuve was notably placed on the 10-day IL on Thursday rather than the 60-day IL, leaving open the possibility for an earlier return.

Lux (knee) was placed on the 60-day injured list Thursday.

Lux will miss the entire 2023 season after requiring surgery in early March to repair significant damage to both the ACL and LCL in his right knee.

Wisely made the Giants' Opening Day roster, Danny Emerman of KNBR 680 San Francisco reports.

Wisely was initially told he wouldn't make the Opening Day roster, but the Giants' last-minute moves opened up a spot for the versatile infielder. The 23-year-old will open his major-league career as a bench bat, and it's unclear how long he might stick with the big club.

The Astros placed Altuve on the 10-day injured list with a fractured right thumb Thursday.

It's notable that the Astros aren't placing him on the 60-day IL yet even as he's not expected to resume baseball activities until mid- to late-May. It still seems likely Altuve eventually winds up on the 60-day IL, but the Astros are keeping their options open to begin the regular season.

Donovan is starting at second base and batting leadoff for Thursday's opener versus the Blue Jays.

Donovan could move to the bottom of the order against lefties, but he looks to be the preferred choice at leadoff versus right-handers. Lars Nootbaar will bat behind Donovan in the two-hole.

Polanco (knee) was placed on the 10-day injured list. He ran the bases before the Twins departed spring training and plans to take some live at-bats this week, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports. "I think the one thing that we all need to be cognizant of is that Jorge hasn't had a spring training this year and the smart thing, and I think the wise thing, to do is to allow him to progress along like we have allowed the 26 guys that are on our team," Twins head trainer Nick Paparesta said.

Polanco missed the final month of 2022 with a knee injury, and his progress stalled in the Grapefruit League. Just a week ago the Twins were talking about him playing in minor league games, but now it sounds like any game action may be weeks away. Paparesta's comments make it sound like his ramp up could extend into late April or early May.

Villar is not in the Giants' lineup for Thursday's opener against the Yankees.

The Giants on multiple occasions have implied that Villar would be their regular third baseman to begin 2023, but he'll ride the pine on Opening Day. It will be Wilmer Flores handling the hot corner instead Thursday, batting third.

Bae is starting at second base and batting eighth for the Pirates in Thursday's opener against the Reds.

He gets the call over presumed starter Rodolfo Castro, who will come off the bench. Bae put up some good numbers during his brief time with the Pirates last season and could be a stolen base threat right out of the chute.

Garcia is starting at second base and batting seventh for the Nationals on Thursday versus Atlanta, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

Garcia might be on the bench against some lefties this season, but he's in there for the opener versus Atlanta ace Max Fried. Ildemaro Vargas is an option for starts at the keystone on days Garcia sits.