MLB Player News
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Nelson Velazquez RF | STL
Royals' Nelson Velazquez: Not starting Saturday
Velazquez is not in the starting lineup for Saturday's game against the Tigers.
Velazquez will begin Saturday's game on the bench with the Tigers sending out right-hander Casey Mize. Velazquez is hitless over his last six games and has reached base twice on walks over that span. Lefty-hitting Adam Frazier will start at DH and bat fifth in the lineup Saturday.
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Garrett Cooper 1B | ATL
Red Sox's Garrett Cooper: Shipped to Boston
The Cubs traded Cooper to the Red Sox on Saturday in exchange for cash, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.
Cooper was designated for assignment Tuesday despite sporting a .270/.341/.432 slash line through 41 plate appearances. He has no minor-league options remaining, so he will occupy a spot on Boston's big-league roster and should see regular time at first base while Triston Casas (ribs) is out.
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Mark Vientos DH | NYM
Mets' Mark Vientos: Up from Triple-A
The Mets recalled Vientos from Triple-A Syracuse on Saturday, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.
Vientos has slashed .302/.388/.525 across 98 plate appearances in Triple-A, and he'll now join the big-league club as Starling Marte (personal) steps away from the team. Vientos will likely head back to Syracuse following Marte's return.
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Ryan O'Hearn 1B | PIT
Orioles' Ryan O'Hearn: Sitting vs. southpaw
O'Hearn is not in the Orioles' starting lineup for Saturday's game against the Athletics.
With the Athletics sending out left-hander JP Sears, the lefty-hitting O'Hearn will open Saturday's game in the dugout. Adley Rutschman will start at designated hitter while James McCann forms a battery with starting pitcher Cole Irvin.
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Masataka Yoshida LF | BOS
Red Sox's Masataka Yoshida: Back in starting lineup
Yoshida will start at designated hitter and bat sixth in Saturday's game against the Cubs, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports.
Yoshida was not in Boston's starting lineup over the last five games, though he did appear in two contests as a pinch hitter. His absence over the last three games coincided with Rafael Devers starting at DH after missing time due to a left bone bruise, and the Red Sox appear reluctant to start Yoshida in the outfield early in the season. Devers will shift to third base for Saturday's game, while Yoshida resumes his role as the designated hitter against Cubs right-hander Ben Brown.
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J.D. Martinez DH | NYM
Mets' J.D. Martinez: Drives in run in Mets debut
Martinez went 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI in Friday's 4-2 loss to the Cardinals.
He also struck out twice, but Martinez made a quick impact in his debut for the Mets, chasing Miles Mikolas from the game in the sixth inning with a run-scoring double. Martinez posted big numbers in only 113 games for the Dodgers last year, slashing .271/.321/.572 with 33 homers and 103 RBI, and once he's shaken off his rust the 36-year-old should be a potent addition to the middle of the New York batting order.
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Alec Burleson LF | STL
Cardinals' Alec Burleson: Slugs first homer of season
Burleson went 1-for-3 with a walk and a three-run home run in Friday's 4-2 win over the Mets.
His second-inning shot off Jose Butto gave Miles Mikolas and the Cardinals' bullpen all the offense they would need. It was Burleson's first long ball of the year, and his first extra-base hit since April 8. Jordan Walker's demotion cements Burleson into a strong-side platoon role, but his .259/.310/.352 slash line through 58 plate appearances with three runs and five RBI doesn't offer a lot of fantasy appeal.
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Eloy Jimenez DH | TOR
White Sox's Eloy Jimenez: Homers during win
Jimenez went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run and a walk during Friday's win over the Rays.
Jimenez's two-run blast gave Chicago a 7-2 lead in the seventh inning, contributing to an offensive showing that has not been typical of the White Sox so far this season. The 27-year-old has now homered twice in four games and is slashing .286/.355/.607 with eight RBI and five runs scored over his last seven contests.
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Manny Machado 3B | SD
Padres' Manny Machado: Starting at third base Friday
Machado (personal) was added to the active roster and is starting at third base for Friday's game against the Phillies, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
Machado was placed on the paternity list Monday and ended up missing the Padres' last four games. What's notable about Friday's game is that Machado is starting at third base for the first time since getting surgery on his right elbow in October, while Graham Pauley serves as the designated hitter. Machado's return is a welcome one with rookie Jackson Merrill missing his second straight game due to a lingering groin issue. Machado is slashing .260/.324/.417 with four home runs and 12 RBI over 105 plate appearances to start the season.
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Matt Carpenter DH | STL
Cardinals' Matt Carpenter: Resumes swinging
Carpenter (oblique) took swings on the field before Friday's game against the Mets, John Denton of MLB.com reports.
Carpenter had been shut down after receiving a PRP injection in his right oblique Monday. He will swing again before Saturday's game, at which point the Cardinals will decide whether or not to send the 38-year-old veteran out on a rehab assignment.