MLB Player News

Blackmon went 1-for-5 with a three-run homer in Colorado's 9-8 loss to the Diamondbacks on Friday.

It was Blackmon's first hit of the season and he made it count, touching up Robbie Ray with a three-run blast in the fourth inning. Blackmon has established himself as one of the best hitters in baseball in one of the league's most potent lineups the past two seasons, so fantasy owners should continue to use the star outfielder with no reservations.

Harper went 2-for-3 with a walk in Friday's 2-0 win over the Reds.

Incredibly, this was only the second out of Harper's six career Opening Days in which he didn't hit a home run, but Cincinnati's pitchers still couldn't keep him off the bases, even if they did keep him in the park. In his final season before free agency, expect the 25-year-old to put up some very impressive numbers if he can avoid the injuries that have checkered his career to date.

Ohtani is not in the lineup against the A's on Friday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Ohtani went 1-for-5 with a strikeout in the Angels' Opening Day loss to the A's but will return to the bench with left-hander Sean Manaea taking the mound for Oakland on Friday. It remains to be seen when the 23-year-old will be back at DH for the Angels, but Ohtani is slated to make his debut as a starting pitcher in Sunday's series finale with the A's.

Choi was optioned to Triple-A Colorado Springs on Friday.

Just a day removed from scoring the Brewers' go-ahead run in the top of the 12th inning on Opening Day, the 26-year-old will report to Colorado Springs as Dan Jennings takes his place on the 25-man roster. Choi will likely spend most of the season at the Triple-A level.

Miller will hit sixth and play first base against Boston on Friday, Marc Topkin of The Tampa Bay Times reports.

Miller didn't earn a start against Chris Sale on Opening Day but will get into the lineup versus fellow left-hander David Price for the second game of the Rays' opening series. He did wind up coming into Thursday's contest as a pinch hitter, walking in a run and then scoring during the club's six-run eighth inning. Expect to see Miller in the lineup against right-handers and occasionally with lefties on the mound.

Choi is expected to return to the minors once new signing Dan Jennings passes his physical, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

It was a surprise to see Choi make the Brewers' Opening Day roster as the team's fourth third baseman, but he rewarded the decision by scoring the winning run in the 12th inning Thursday against the Padres. Despite his heroics, Choi's stay on the roster is likely to end very soon, as left-handed reliever Dan Jennings will need a roster spot within the next few days. Choi, who has options remaining, is the obvious choice to be sent down. He could be back up later in the season, but it would take a significant injury crisis for him to get regular at-bats.

Cespedes went 2-for-5 with three RBI in Thursday's 9-4 win over the Cardinals.

New Mets manager Mickey Callaway's decision to hit Cespedes second in the order paid immediate dividends, as the slugger helped power an impressive Opening Day showing from the offense. If the 32-year-old can avoid any lengthy stints on the disabled list this year, he's more than capable of his second career 30-HR, 100-RBI campaign.

Winker is leading off and playing left field for the Reds' opener against the Nationals on Friday.

Winker led off eight times for the Reds last season. He doesn't possess much speed, but his .375 on-base percentage in 47 games for the Reds last season is ideal for a table-setter. It's a far better number than the .299 figure that the Reds' primary leadoff man, Billy Hamilton, posted last year. The Reds may rotate four outfielders (Winker, Hamilton, Adam Duvall and Scott Schebler) through three spots all season, so Winker may not play every day, but if he gets on base expect him to stick in the leadoff role when he does get a start.

Stanton went 3-for-5 with two home runs, a double, four RBI and three runs during Thursday's 6-1 win over the Blue Jays.

Both of Stanton's homers were no-doubt shots, and after leaving the yard 59 times last season, 2018 is off to a promising start. The elephant in the room continues to be his health, but serving primarily as the designated hitter should help, and many of his past injuries were unlucky. Buckle up; Stanton has the potential to post a league-winning stat line.

Turner (wrist) was placed on the 10-day disabled list Thursday, Eric Stephen of TrueBlueLA.com reports.

Turner is expected to miss the first 5-to-8 weeks of the season after suffering a broken wrist in a Cactus League contest earlier in March. A more concrete timetable should emerge once he resumes baseball activities. Meanwhile, Logan Forsythe is expected to hold down the hot corner until Turner is healthy, leaving Chase Utley, Enrique Hernandez and Austin Barnes to cover second base.