MLB Player News

Canha will get the start at first base and hit seventh Monday against the White Sox, MLB.com's Jane Lee reports.

With lefty Chris Sale on the mound for Chicago, it is no surprise to see Canha, a righty, and not lefty Yonder Alonso starting at first base. Canha should continue in the short side of this platoon in the early going.

Soler will DH and bat seventh against the Angels on Monday.

Despite Soler's strong throwing arm, it appears that Kyle Schwarber has proven to be the better overall fielder and earned the start in left field. It's likely that Soler and Schwarber operate in some type of left-field platoon throughout the course of the season.

Brantley (shoulder) was placed on the 15-day DL on Sunday, MLB.com's Jordan Bastian reports.

Brantley experienced some renewed tightness in his shoulder late in spring training, but it doesn't appear the Indians are considering it a major issue. He wasn't expected to be ready for Opening Day after undergoing surgery in November, but with his absence not expected to extend deep into the season, Brantley remains worthy of stashing in just about every format.

Choi won an Opening Day roster spot with the Angels, Joey Kaufman of the Orange County Register reports.

Choi, a Rule 5 selection, wasn't a standout in spring training, but the Angels saw enough in him to keep him on the 25-man roster rather than return him to the Orioles. Though he'll be available off the bench, it's hard to envision Choi seeing many at-bats while both C.J. Cron and Albert Pujols remain healthy.

Manager Pete Mackanin confirmed Friday that Ruf will open the year in a platoon with Ryan Howard at first base, Corey Seidman of CSN Philadelphia reports.

Ruf will start the second game of the season Wednesday against lefty Brandon Finnegan of the Reds. Ruf hit .371/.447/.660 with 12 extra-base hits in 114 plate appearances against lefties last season. He is a nice cost saving play in daily leagues when the Phillies are facing a lefty.

Pederson will get the day off Thursday but manager Dave Roberts announced that he'll be back in the lineup Friday and Saturday, Eric Stephen of SB Nation reports.

Pederson will get a rare chance to rest Thursday before the season officially kicks off Monday in San Diego. Enrique Hernandez will take Pederson's usual spot in center for Thursday's matchup with the Angels.

Soler went 2-for-4 with two RBI in a victory over Colorado on Wednesday.

Soler has struggled a bit this spring, slashing just .163/.226/.367, but he's driven in eight runs in 49 at-bats, so it hasn't been a complete negative. He should play a lot this season, but with the Cubs stacked in the outfield, getting 400 at-bats isn't a certainty.

Brantley (shoulder) will resume his hitting program Friday, MLB.com reports.

Brantley hasn't played in an exhibition game since March 21 due to some lingering shoulder soreness but will look to ramp things back up again Friday before being re-evaluated early next week. He's set to open the season on the DL but the Indians remain hopeful that he'll still be able to return earlier than initially expected.

Cespedes went 2-for-2 with a double in Wednesday's 12-1 loss to the Nationals.

Cespedes is batting .349 (15-for-43) with six RBI this spring. The 30-year-old outfielder is in line to play a central role in the Mets' attempt to make a World Series return. He's coming off his first 100-run, 100-RBI season and measures to be a must-start in all fantasy formats to start the 2016 season.

Canha has had a rough spring so far, hitting only .194 with no homers through 36 at-bats.

Canha had some back stiffness at the start of the spring, which caused him to be a week behind the rest of the offensive players. Canha had a breakout 2015 with 16 homers, but figures to be in a battle for at-bats due to the A's additions this off-season. Canha will likely play first base against lefties in a platoon with Yonder Alonso. He will also get spot starts in the outfield, but the A's outfield is crowded to start the year with the addition of Khris Davis and a currently healthy Coco Crisp.