MLB Player News

Cespedes went 1-for-2 with a solo homer, three walks, and two runs scored Saturday against the Cardinals.

The Cardinals had a very tough time getting Cespedes out Saturday as he reached base four times, including a fifth-inning solo shot which helped chase starter Michael Wacha from the game. Cespedes now has a 1.457 OPS with two runs scored and four RBI through two games. It's a reminder of the kind of numbers he can put up when healthy.

Carpenter went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Saturday's loss to the Mets.

The homer was an eighth-inning solo shot off Anthony Swarzak. Carpenter battled back issues for much of the spring but appears healthy to start the season. He's recorded a hit in both of the Cardinals' first two games.

Soler is not in the lineup Saturday against the White Sox, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Soler started the Royals' season opener in right field, going 0-for-3 with a walk. He'll sit Saturday in favor of Paulo Orlando, who will play center field, pushing Alex Gordon to left and Jon Jay to right. It may take a few weeks to figure out the Royals' outfield rotation and to learn how often Soler will be in the lineup.

Ohtani is out of the lineup Saturday against Oakland, Jeff Fletcher of the Southern California News Group reports.

With Ohtani set to take the mound for his regular-season debut as a pitcher during Sunday's game, he will be held out of any designated hitting duties Saturday. It seems expected that the 23-year-old won't serve as DH in days prior to a scheduled start.

Cabrera went 2-for-6 with a walk, a run scored and two RBI in Friday's 13-inning loss to the Pirates.

Batting in his typical No. 3 spot, Cabrera got his season off to a good start. The 34-year-old had the worst statistical season of his career in 2017, but following a strong spring training performance, a rebound could be in store for Cabrera if he stays healthy.

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.