MLB Player News
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Zach McKinstry 3B | DET
Tigers' Zach McKinstry: Taking seat against lefty
McKinstry isn't in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Dodgers.
Left-hander Blake Snell will draw the start for Los Angeles on Thursday, so the lefty-hitting McKinstry will begin Opening Day on the bench. Andy Ibanez will draw the start at third base instead and bat leadoff.
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Ramon Urias 2B | HOU
Orioles' Ramon Urias: Draws Opening Day start
Urias will start at third base and bat eighth in Thursday's game against the Blue Jays.
Entering spring training, Urias appeared likely to begin the season in a utility role, but he'll likely end up seeing at least semi-regular playing time through the first week of the campaign while Gunnar Henderson (intercostal) is on the shelf. Henderson is slated to begin a minor-league rehab assignment at Triple-A Norfolk, so barring any setbacks, he could be ready for activation when first eligible April 4.
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Cam Smith 3B | HOU
Astros' Cam Smith: Called up, starting in opener
The Astros selected Smith's contract, and he'll start in right field and bat seventh in Thursday's season opener versus the Mets, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Smith will bypass the Triple-A level after hitting his way on the Opening Day roster with a .342/.419/.711 slash line to go with four home runs over 15 games during the Grapefruit League. The 22-year-old will have big shoes to fill as he steps into the everyday role in right field that used to belong to three-time All-Star Kyle Tucker, whom the Astros traded to the Cubs this winter in the deal that sent Smith to Houston.
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Yoan Moncada 3B | LAA
Angels' Yoan Moncada: On roster but not in lineup
Moncada (thumb) is absent from the lineup for Thursday's game against the White Sox.
Moncada made enough improvement with his right thumb to be included on the Angels' Opening Day roster, but he is not in the lineup for the opener. It's possible he'll be ready to play Saturday following Friday's off date for the Halos. Luis Rengifo is at third base and Tim Anderson is at second base Thursday.
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Nick Maton DH | CHW
White Sox's Nick Maton: Added to roster
The White Sox selected Maton's contract Thursday.
The 28-year-old made the Opening Day roster as a utility player, though it wouldn't be surprising if he ends up getting a look as a near-everyday player early on in the season in the wake of his huge spring. Over his 43 plate appearances in the Cactus League, Maton slashed .289/.357/.632 with four home runs. Second base or shortstop would likely represent the clearest path for Maton to see playing time.
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Matthew Lugo SS | LAA
Angels' Matthew Lugo: Not part of Opening Day roster
The Angels optioned Lugo to Triple-A Salt Lake on Wednesday.
The Angels' recent history of aggressively promoting prospects coupled with the release of Mickey Moniak on Tuesday fueled speculation that Lugo might break camp with the big club, but Los Angeles instead elected to carry Kyren Paris as a fourth outfielder on the Opening Day roster. The 23-year-old Lugo shouldn't have to wait long to make his MLB debut, especially if he continues to produce well at the plate with Salt Lake early on in the season after he held his own during spring training. Though he struck out at 29.5 percent clip and had a 3.3 percent walk rate over 61 plate appearances in the Cactus League, Lugo hit .293 with seven extra-base hits (four doubles, three triples) and two stolen bases.
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Royce Lewis 3B | MIN
Twins' Royce Lewis: Officially placed on IL
The Twins placed Lewis (hamstring) on the 10-day injured list Wednesday.
A moderate hamstring strain has kept Lewis sidelined since March 16, and he has yet to resume any sort of baseball activities since then, other than throwing. A minimum-length stay on the IL seems unlikely at this point, and he'll remain without a clear return timeline until he advances to the next stage in his rehab.
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Brett Harris 3B | ATH
Athletics' Brett Harris: Lands on IL
The Athletics placed Harris (oblique) on the 10-day injured list Tuesday.
Harris strained his left oblique in early March and hadn't appeared in a spring training game since then. The Athletics haven't offered up a timetable for his return, but he'll most likely be sidelined for much of April. Harris hit .146 with three home runs and 12 RBI over 123 plate appearances over 36 games with the Athletics in 2024.
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DJ LeMahieu 2B | NYY
Yankees' DJ LeMahieu: Sent to injured list
The Yankees placed LeMahieu (calf) on the 10-day injured list Wednesday.
LeMahieu has been battling a left calf strain since the beginning of March, so his move to the IL was fully expected. The 36-year-old infielder has been gradually easing his way back into baseball activities over the past week, though he remains without a target return date. While LeMahieu is out, Oswaldo Cabrera will likely start regularly at third base.
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Josh Jung 3B | TEX
Rangers' Josh Jung: Ready to go for Opening Day
Jung (neck) remains on track to play Opening Day against the Red Sox, Jeff Wilson of AllDLLS.com reports.
Jung exited Monday's exhibition game with a stiff neck and was scratched from Tuesday's lineup due to the injury, but he's not in any danger of missing Thursday's opener. The 27-year-old is in line to serve as the Rangers' everyday third baseman this season, though he was limited to just 46 games last year due to wrist issues.