MLB Player News

Winker is not in the lineup against lefty Justin Steele and the Cubs on Saturday.

Winker served as the designated hitter on Opening Day and hit second, but he finished the day 0-for-4 with three strikeouts. Given that his career wRC+ against righties (136) is nearly 50 points higher than his mark against lefties (87), it's likely he won't receive many starts against opposing southpaws. Luke Voit will be the DH on Saturday.

Lewis hit a two-run home run in the eighth inning off Alex Vesia to account for all of Arizona's offense in a 2-1 win over the Dodgers on Friday.

The 27-year-old was on the bench to begin the game with Dustin May on the mound for Los Angeles. Lewis delivered in a big way when he got a chance to pinch hit, erasing a one-run deficit with a blast to left field for his first hit as a Diamondback. He is expected to see the bulk of his action this season against left-handed pitching, but he could push his way into the regular mix at DH if he continues to come through in the clutch.

Blackmon went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer and two runs scored in Friday's win over the Padres.

Blackmon followed up his three-hit Opening Day with another multi-hit performance. His two-run shot off Nick Martinez in the fifth inning was the Rockies' lone extra-base hit of the contest. Blackmon is 5-for-9 with two extra-base hits and two strikeouts to begin the season.

Soler went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's 2-1 win over the Mets.

Getting the start in right field and hitting fifth against lefty David Peterson, Soler opened the scoring in the second inning with his first homer of the year. He also made a couple run-saving catches, an impressive defensive showing for a player who didn't play a single game in right field in 2022. The Marlins' rotation between the corner outfield spots and designated hitter is still in flux, so Soler could earn consistent work in the field as the season unfolds. It should be noted the 31-year-old was replaced by Bryan De La Cruz in the top of the ninth, so manager Skip Schumaker doesn't yet view Soler as part of his best defensive alignment.

Carpenter is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Rockies, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

After getting the Opening Day start Thursday, the lefty-hitting Carpenter will take a seat Friday against Kyle Freeland. Nelson Cruz will take his place as San Diego's designated hitter Friday, and Cruz likely will do so against lefty starters for the rest of the season.

Vogelbach isn't in the Mets' lineup for Friday's game against Miami, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

The left-handed slugger holds just a .402 OPS against lefties since 2021, so he will sit out Friday against Jesus Luzardo. Mark Canha will instead serve as the Mets' designated hitter, opening up a chance for Tommy Pham to start in left field and bat eighth.

Lewis will bat leadoff as the designated hitter in the Diamondbacks' season opener Thursday against the Dodgers.

Lewis was acquired via trade from the Mariners in November and made a terrific impression in Diamondbacks camp this spring, slashing .429/.529/.857 with three home runs and three doubles across 34 plate appearances. The 27-year-old could perhaps be in for a post-hype breakout if his health cooperates. He won AL Rookie of the Year honors during the COVID-shortened 2020 campaign.

Harper (elbow) was placed on the 10-day injured list Thursday.

Harper has managed to avoid a 60-day IL placement for the time being with the Phillies hoping that he might be able to return from Tommy John surgery sometime in May. He recently advanced to soft-toss work in his rehab program.

Ozuna is batting sixth and getting the start in left field Opening Day against the Nationals.

With southpaw Patrick Corbin on the bump for the Nats, Ozuna will move out of the designated hitter role and into the field. The 32-year-old worked on his shoulder strength in the offseason to try and avoid being a defensive liability again, but if he can't hold up with the glove, Kevin Pillar could become the preferred platoon partner in left for Eddie Rosario. Ozuna has has some things to prove at the plate after stumbling to a .222/.278/.397 slash line over the last two seasons.

The Reds designated Solak for assignment Thursday.

Solak was a casualty of a series of roster moves ahead of the team's Opening Day game Thursday against the Pirates. The 28-year-old former top prospect has slashed just .246/.317/.354 in 839 major-league plate appearances since the beginning of the 2020 season.