MLB Player News
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Charlie Blackmon RF | COL
Rockies' Charlie Blackmon: Out of lineup Sunday
Blackmon is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks, Luke Zahlmann of The Denver Gazette reports.
Blackmon went 3-for-11 with a double, a triple, three RBI, two runs and a stolen base in the first three games of the season, but he'll step out of the lineup Sunday. Jake Cave will take over in right field.
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Andrew McCutchen DH | PIT
Pirates' Andrew McCutchen: Sitting again Sunday
McCutchen is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Marlins, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
McCutchen went 0-for-9 with two walks, an RBI and five strikeouts in the first two games of the season but finds himself on the bench Sunday for the second straight contest. Bryan Reynolds will rest his legs as the designated hitter with Edward Olivares and Connor Joe starting in the corner outfield spots.
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Bryce Harper 1B | PHI
Phillies' Bryce Harper: Out of Sunday's lineup
Harper is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against Atlanta, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
The veteran slugger remained in the game Saturday after taking a tumble over the camera well railing attempting to field a foul ball, but he won't be in the lineup for Sunday's series finale. Manager Rob Thomson said it's a scheduled off day, per Matt Gelb of The Athletic, so Harper is apparently fine and should be back in the lineup Monday. He didn't see much action down the stretch in spring training due to a back issue and is off to a slow start, going 0-for-6 with two walks, a run and a stolen base in the first two games of the season. Alec Bohm will shift to first base while Edmundo Sosa receives a start at the hot corner.
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Charlie Blackmon RF | COL
Rockies' Charlie Blackmon: Productive from leadoff spot
Blackmon went 2-for-5 with a double, two RBI, one run and a stolen base against Arizona in a 6-4 victory Saturday.
Blackmon has batted out of the leadoff spot in all three games for Colorado thus far, and he helped ignite the team's offense Saturday with a pair of hits. His big knock was a two-run double in the fifth inning that was part of a five-run outburst for the Rockies. Blackmon also swiped a big in the win, but that's unlikely to be a common occurrence, as the 37-year-old hasn't stolen more than four bases in a season since 2018.
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Joc Pederson DH | ARI
Diamondbacks' Joc Pederson: Resting versus southpaw
Pederson isn't in the Diamondbacks' lineup for Saturday's game against the Rockies, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.
After going 4-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored during Friday's contest, Pederson will retreat to the bench against left-hander Austin Gomber. Blaze Alexander will get the start as Arizona's DH and bat seventh.
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Andrew McCutchen DH | PIT
Pirates' Andrew McCutchen: Takes seat Saturday
McCutchen isn't in the Pirates' lineup for Saturday's contest against Miami, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
McCutchen will get a breather Saturday despite the Marlins sending the left-handed Ryan Weathers to start on the mound. The 37-year-old is 0-for-9 to begin the season, and his absence will give Edward Olivares a chance to start at DH and bat fourth.
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Joc Pederson DH | ARI
Diamondbacks' Joc Pederson: Perfect day at dish
Pederson went 4-for-4 with a double, an RBI and a run scored in Friday's win over the Rockies.
Making his Diamondbacks debut after taking a seat Opening Day against lefty Kyle Freeland, Pederson immediately made an impact. He ripped a double in the first inning followed by an RBI single in the third. Three of his four hits registered over 98 mph off the bat, including a pair over 100 mph. Arizona has the depth to sit Pederson against lefties often, but his ceiling against righties will keep him relevant in most fantasy formats.
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J.D. Martinez DH | NYM
Mets' J.D. Martinez: Optioned in advance of Opening Day
The Mets optioned Martinez to Triple-A Syracuse on Monday.
Since Martinez didn't sign with the Mets until last week, he didn't have sufficient time to complete his hitting progression in spring training, so he'll be left off the 26-man active roster ahead of Friday's season opener versus the Brewers. The Mets haven't indicated if Martinez will immediately report to Syracuse for the start of its season Friday, or if he'll continue to see live at-bats at the Mets' spring training facility in Florida. Either way, Martinez will join the Mets and serve as their everyday designated hitter once he spends around 10 days in the minors compiling at-bats, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post.
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Christopher Morel 2B | TB
Cubs' Christopher Morel: Paces offense on Opening Day
Morel went 2-for-5 with a triple and a run scored in Thursday's 4-3, 10-inning loss to the Rangers.
Morel had a good game but almost had a great game, as he narrowly missed a grand slam on a long foul ball in the top of the 10th inning with the contest tied 3-3. The 24-year-old batted cleanup, and he should have the opportunity to post strong numbers this season from the middle of Chicago's lineup, particularly in the power department.
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Christopher Morel 2B | TB
Cubs' Christopher Morel: In DH spot for opener
Morel will serve as the Cubs' designated hitter and cleanup batter in Thursday's season opener versus the Rangers.
The Cubs gave Morel plenty of run at third base this spring in hopes that he would capture that job. While he still figures to be used plenty at the hot corner, it displays some lack of trust in Morel's defense on manager Craig Counsell's part that he's not playing the field Opening Day. Fantasy managers mostly care that he's just in the lineup, of course, and that he's hitting cleanup shows faith in his bat.