MLB Player News
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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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Connor Norby 2B | MIA
Marlins' Connor Norby: IL move made official
The Marlins placed Norby (oblique) on the 10-day injured list Thursday.
Norby was diagnosed with a Grade 1 left oblique strain and will be sidelined to begin the season, paving the way for Graham Pauley, Eric Wagaman and Jonah Bride to see extra playing time at third base. According to MLB.com, Norby resumed baseball activities Wednesday, but he's still expected to be sidelined until around late April.
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Graham Pauley 3B | MIA
Marlins' Graham Pauley: Called up, starting in opener
The Marlins recalled Pauley from Triple-A Jacksonville on Thursday.
Pauley will bat eighth and start at third base in Thursday's season opener versus the Pirates. He'll get reps at the hot corner along with Eric Wagaman and Jonah Bride while Connor Norby (oblique) is on the injured list to begin the season. Pauley produced a .784 OPS over 11 Grapefruit League games.
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Gavin Lux SS | TB
Reds' Gavin Lux: Batting cleanup in opener
Lux will start in left field and bat cleanup Thursday against the Giants.
With Austin Hays (calf) shelved, Lux slides into the lineup in the corner outfield and also gets a prime spot in the lineup, batting behind TJ Friedl, Matt McLain and Elly De La Cruz. Most of Lux's playing time could ultimately come at third base, but he's in line for regular reps in left field versus righties while Hays is out.
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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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Jose Tena 3B | WAS
Nationals' Jose Tena: Wins bench job
Tena earned a spot on the Nationals' Opening Day roster, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.
The 24-year-old was competing for a bench job during spring training and secured a roster spot despite posting a .156/.240/.200 slash line in 50 plate appearances. Tena had a .668 OPS in 41 games with Washington in 2024 and is unlikely to be fantasy-relevant this year.