MLB Player News
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Jesse Winker DH | NYM
Nationals' Jesse Winker: Not in lineup
Winker (illness) is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game versus the Pirates, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
Winker had to be removed from Monday's 8-4 loss to Pittsburgh due to an illness. Even after Tuesday's off day, Winker won't rejoin the lineup, though it's unclear whether he's still not feeling well or if he's just getting an extra day to rest up. Eddie Rosario will play left field and Victor Robles will be in center while Winker is on the bench.
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Jorge Soler DH | LAA
Giants' Jorge Soler: Swats first homer of 2024
Soler went 2-for-3 with a solo home run during Tuesday's loss to the Dodgers.
After notching 36 long balls a season ago, it took Soler six games in a Giants uniform to get on the board in the homer column. He tagged Ryan Yarbrough for a solo shot in the sixth inning. While the power has been down so far, it's still super early, and Soler has been able to contribute elsewhere with five runs scored and a .370 OBP.
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Marcell Ozuna DH | ATL
Braves' Marcell Ozuna: Goes yard twice in loss
Ozuna went 2-for-4 with two solo home runs in Tuesday's 3-2 loss to the White Sox.
The veteran slugger took Garrett Crochet deep to left field in the seventh inning before launching a Michael Kopech fastball to nearly the same spot in the ninth, but it was all the offense Atlanta could muster. Ozuna has gone just 5-for-22 (.227) to begin the season with an 0:5 BB:K, but three of those hits have left the yard. The 33-year-old is looking to match the career-high 40 homers he clubbed in 2023.
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Christopher Morel DH | MIA
Cubs' Christopher Morel: Goes deep in romp
Morel went 1-for-4 with a walk, a solo home run and an additional run scored in Tuesday's 12-2 win over the Rockies.
Morel went deep in the third inning as the Cubs piled on in the easy win. The 24-year-old now has two long balls across five games to go along with a robust 1.171 OPS. Whether he's playing at third base or serving as the DH, Morel will be in the lineup most days due to his powerful bat, and fantasy managers should reap the rewards.
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Bryce Harper DH | PHI
Phillies' Bryce Harper: Comes alive with three homers
Harper went 3-for-4 with three home runs and six RBI in Tuesday's 9-4 win over the Reds.
Harper kicked off a monstrous evening with a solo blast his first time up and another to lead off the fourth. He then put the game out of reach with a grand slam in the seventh inning. Harper entered the day 0-for-11 at the plate through his first three games, and with Tuesday's historic performance, he erased any memory of his brief season-opening slump. It was the second three-homer game of his career and it led to a career-high six RBI for the 31-year-old.
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Andrew McCutchen DH | PIT
Pirates' Andrew McCutchen: First hits of 2024
McCutchen went 2-for-4 with a double, an RBI and a walk Monday against the Nationals.
McCutchen struck out in five of his first nine plate appearances of the season and was out of the lineup both Saturday and Sunday. He returned to bat fourth Monday and struck out two additional times, though he also managed his first hits of the new campaign -- including a key RBI knock in the eighth inning. The Pirates' lineup is deeper than last season when McCutchen was a regular, but he'll likely get plenty of time to get his bat up to speed.
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Christopher Morel DH | MIA
Cubs' Christopher Morel: Collects two hits
Morel went 2-for-3 with a run scored during Monday's 5-0 victory over the Rockies.
Despite the modest stat line, Morel's sixth-inning single with two-men on was the impetus for the Cubs' victory as a misplay by left-fielder Nolan Jones saw the ball roll all the way to the wall and allowed both runners to score. Jones then added a throwing error on the same play that allowed Morel to complete the little-league home run. Unfortunately, Morel did not get credited with an RBI on the play but it's been a solid start to the season for the Cubs' third-baseman. Through four games he's collected seven hits in 17 at-bats with a homer, three RBI and four runs scored.
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Jesse Winker DH | NYM
Nationals' Jesse Winker: Left game due to illness
Winker was removed from Monday's game against the Pirates due to illness, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
This is good news for the Nationals, as it likely means Winker will return within a day or two. The team should know more about Winker's availability for Wednesday after re-evaluating him Tuesday.
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Jesse Winker DH | NYM
Nationals' Jesse Winker: Exits with apparent injury
Winker was removed from Monday's game against the Pirates with an apparent injury, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
Winker didn't suffer an obvious injury but was replaced in left field by Eddie Rosario to begin the top of the second inning. He didn't take an at-bat or have a ball hit to him before being lifted. The Nationals should provide more clarity on Winker's situation soon.
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J.D. Martinez DH | NYM
Mets' J.D. Martinez: Yet to be assigned to affiliate
Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said Monday that Martinez remains at extended spring training and will be reevaluated in 2-to-3 days to determine if he'll be assigned to a minor-league affiliate at that time, Laura Albanese of Newsday reports.
He was officially optioned to Triple-A Syracuse a week ago but has not reported there. Martinez is still trying to fine-tune his swing after not signing with the Mets until late in spring training. He will likely join the Mets around mid-April, although a definitive date has not been set yet. Martinez will be the Mets' everyday designated hitter when he does join the big club.