MLB Player News

Smith isn't in the lineup for Friday's game against Milwaukee.

Smith has been white-hot to start the season, slashing .400/.486/.667 through his first 35 plate appearances, but the D-backs won't risk him cooling down against the left-handed Jose Quintana on Friday. Randal Grichuk will serve as the team's DH instead and bat third.

Malloy is not in the Tigers' starting lineup against the Twins on Friday.

Malloy has worked out of the leadoff spot in the lineup in the Tigers' last six games as the designated hitter. He'll begin Friday's game in the dugout while Colt Keith takes on DH duties against Twins right-hander David Festa. Malloy has started the season 6-for-26 with eight walks, four runs scored and four RBI.

Winker is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Athletics.

Winker and his career .667 OPS against left-handed pitchers will stay put in the dugout Friday while JP Sears toes the slab for the A's. Starling Marte will fill in as the Mets' designated hitter and bat fourth.

McCutchen is not in the lineup for Friday's game versus the Reds.

Bryan Reynolds (triceps) being unable to play the field continues to eat into McCutchen's playing time, as the Pirates don't appear willing to let him play the outfield every day. Adam Frazier is in right field and hitting eighth Friday.

Steer (shoulder) will begin working on throws from first base over the next few days, Charlie Goldsmith of the Dayton Daily News reports.

Steer has been limited to designated hitter duty in the early going this season, as he's still working his way back from a right shoulder injury that first cropped up last season. There's no timeline for when Steer will be able to handle defensive duties, but he's making progress.

Manzardo started at first base and went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Thursday's 6-1 win over the White Sox.

Manzardo, who was recently moved into the cleanup spot, went yard in the first inning for what proved to be the game-winning hit. It was his fourth home run through 12 games, and Manzardo's 11 RBI leads the club. He made only six starts at first base in 2024 compared to 40 at DH, denying him 1B eligibility in more restrictive fantasy formats, and Thursday's game was his third start at the position in 2025. The Guardians' desire to manage the workload of 39-year-old Carlos Santana, Cleveland's primary first baseman, should result in Manzardo gaining some extra positional flexibility later this season.

Ozuna went 3-for-5 with a double and a two-run home run in Thursday's 4-2 extra-inning victory over the Phillies.

Ozuna doubled to left field for Atlanta's first hit of the game in the first inning, and he later crushed a two-run homer off Phillies right-hander Joe Ross to walk it off in the 11th frame following a lengthy rain delay. After beginning the season just 2-for-12, Ozuna is on a tear in April thus far, hitting .385 with two big flies, two doubles, five RBI and seven walks across 26 at-bats.

Schwarber went 1-for-5 with a solo home run and a walk in Thursday's 4-2 extra-inning loss to Atlanta.

Schwarber delivered a 449-foot moonshot in the third inning, tagging right-hander Spencer Schwellenbach for the righty's first run allowed on the season. The veteran slugger is tearing the cover off the ball to begin the season, batting .283 with six long balls and 12 RBI to go with 12 runs scored and eight walks over 56 plate appearances.

Heineman went 3-for-4 with an RBI and a stolen base in Thursday's 4-3 extra-inning loss to the Red Sox.

Starting at catcher for the resting Alejandro Kirk, Heineman drove in Toronto's first run on a seventh-inning single as he extended his hitting streak to five games. Although Heineman has gone 9-for-18 with one home run, one double, two RBI and one stolen base through five outings this season, he'll likely remain Kirk's backup behind the plate.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Thursday that Yoshida (shoulder) will begin playing in extended spring training games next week, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Cora noted that Yoshida currently has good days and bad days with how his surgically repaired right shoulder is feeling and won't be cleared for a formal minor-league rehab assignment until he is throwing at full strength consistently. With Rafael Devers at designated hitter and Jarren Duran, Ceddanne Rafaela and Wilyer Abreu absorbing the bulk of the outfield at-bats with the big club, Yoshida faces uncertainty with his playing time once he's deemed ready to rejoin the active roster.