MLB Player News

Cabrera does not have a fractured hand according to X-rays taken Saturday.

The veteran appears to have escaped with nothing worse than a bruise after getting hit in the hand by a pitch Saturday. It's unknown whether he'll need to miss a day or two or if he could get back in the lineup as soon as Sunday.

Cabrera was hit by a pitch in his right hand Saturday and was forced to leave the game, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

The severity of the issue should become clear after further tests. Nico Goodrum and John Hicks would cover for him at first base if he's forced to miss an extended period.

Soler will serve as the Royals' designated hitter and cleanup man Saturday against the White Sox.

Soler, who went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI in Thursday's season opener, will make his second straight start at DH. It had been expected that Soler would see most of his action in the corner outfield to begin the season, but manager Ned Yost prefers the defense upgrade Whit Merrifield provides in right, according to Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com. As long as Soler keeps seeing steady at-bats, fantasy managers won't complain how the 26-year-old is deployed. In fact, handling DH duties may prove more beneficial for Soler, who would likely be at less risk of a potential injury.

Miller will start at second base and bat eighth Saturday against the Twins, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

With Jason Kipnis (calf) opening the season on the injured list, Miller has stepped in as the primary option at second base, at least in games in which the Tribe faces right-handed pitching. Miller will stick in the lineup for the second straight game after going 1-for-3 with a pair of strikeouts in Thursday's Opening Day loss.

Carpenter went 2-for-5 with an RBI single, a walk and two runs in a win over the Brewers on Friday.

Carpenter had gone hitless in his season debut Thursday, but he was an effective table setter at the top of the lineup in Friday's victory. The veteran infielder came home on the first of Paul Goldschmidt's three home runs in the first inning, and he later plated Kolten Wong with a timely seventh-inning single. Carpenter expects to see plenty of quality pitches this season with Goldschmidt hitting directly behind him, a notion only further enforced by the latter's explosive performance Friday.

Winker isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Pirates, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

The Reds are opposing a right-handed pitcher (Trevor Williams) in their second game of the season, leaving the lefty-hitting Winker's exclusion from the starting nine somewhat of a surprise. Manager David Bell may just be looking to keep his bench players sharp early in the season, as Matt Kemp draws in for Winker in left field. Winker is still expected to start the overwhelming share of the Reds' games and serve as the team's primary table setter.

Martinez went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in a 7-6 victory against the Mariners on Friday.

The Mariners jumped out to a 6-1 lead by the end of the fourth, but the Red Sox slowly chipped away. Martinez' blast pulled Boston within three in the sixth. Martinez has hit at least 43 homers in each of the last two years, and at 31, there doesn't seem to be any signs of Martinez slowing down any time soon.

Blackmon went 3-for-5 with a double, a run scored, two RBI and a stolen base in Friday's 6-1 win over the Marlins.

After a rough 0-for-5 showing Opening Day, Blackmon found his groove at the plate, lashing an RBI double in the seventh inning and driving in another run with a single in the ninth. The 32-year-old saw his numbers decline a little in 2018, but he should remain an impact fantasy contributor this season with Coors Field buoying his stats for half his games.

Brantley went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI in Friday's loss to Tampa Bay.

Brantley plated the game's first two runs in the third inning on a double to right field, although the Rays would rally and ultimately come away with the victory. He's gotten off to a strong start at the dish over the first two contests of the 2019 campaign and is now 4-for-8 with a home run and three RBI out of the cleanup spot.

Choi went 1-for-4 with two RBI in Friday's 4-2 victory over the Astros.

Choi came through with a clutch base hit in the third inning, plating a pair of runs on a single to center. After struggling to find playing time at the big-league level in three previous organizations, the 27-year-old is expected to see plenty of opportunities in the designated hitter slot and at first base for Tampa Bay in 2019.