MLB Player News

Encarnacion-Strand went 4-for-5 with two home runs and nine RBI for High-A Cedar Rapids in Friday's win.

Encarnacion-Strand, the 128th overall pick in the 2021 first-year player draft, hit .379 with a .999 OPS last season for Low-A Fort Myers. He'll need to show a better eye at the plate as he had a 28.3 percent strikeout rate and 5.4 percent walk rate last year, but he's off to a good start at High-A.

Belt went 2-for-4 with a walk, a solo home run and a second run scored in Friday's 6-5 extra-inning win over the Marlins.

It was an impressive performance from the veteran first baseman in the Giants' opener, highlighted by an eighth-inning blast off lefty reliever Richard Bleier. Belt posted career-best power numbers last year with 29 homers and a .597 SLG, and he's picked up right where he left off to begin 2022.

Beer is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Padres.

Beer walked off San Diego with a three-run homer Opening Day, but he'll still make his way to the bench for the second game of the season. Cooper Hummel will bat leadoff as the designated hitter for the Diamondbacks on Friday.

Lewis (knee) was placed on the 10-day injured list Thursday.

Lewis is still working his way back from surgery to repair a torn meniscus, a procedure he underwent last May. The Mariners had said early in camp that he wasn't expected to be ready for Opening Day, and that's in fact what ended up happening. He's been taking steps in the right direction however, so his absence may not be a long one. He'll return to a very crowded outfield, as the Mariners acquired Jesse Winker from the Reds in March and promoted 21-year-old phenom Julio Rodriguez to the Opening Day roster, but Lewis has a strong enough bat to carve out a role once he proves he's healthy.

Dickerson is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Reds.

Dickerson hit eighth as the designated hitter Thursday on Opening Day and went 0-for-2 before being replaced by a pinch hitter. The 31-year-old figures to see plenty of at-bats this season but is unlikely to start much against left-handed pitching such as Cincinnati's starter Friday, Reiver Sanmartin.

Belt (knee) will bat second and play first base for Friday's Opening Day contest against the Marlins, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Belt battled knee inflammation late in camp, though the Giants remained optimistic about his readiness for Opening Day. That optimism has proven accurate, though it's still possible Belt gets a few extra off days early in the year to make sure he stays healthy.

Choi will sit for Friday's game against the Orioles with lefty John Means on the mound, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

Choi is a career .179/.275/.282 hitter against lefties, and the Rays like their platoons, so he's unlikely to start against many southpaws this season. Harold Ramirez will get the start at first base Friday.

Ohtani (0-1) was tagged with the loss Thursday against the Astros after allowing one run on four hits and a walk while fanning nine across 4.2 innings.

The two-way star could not get out of the fifth inning, and while he looked dominant at times, the one run he allowed -- an RBI single from Alex Bregman that scored Michael Brantley -- was enough to tag him with the loss as the Angels' offense had little success on the night. Ohtani contributed to those struggles with an 0-for-4 performance from the leadoff spot. He went 9-2 with a 3.18 ERA last season in addition to his massive numbers at the plate, and he'll aim to earn his first win on the season when he faces the Rangers on the road next week.

Canha went 2-for-3 with a walk, a run scored and an RBI in Thursday's win over the Nationals.

Somewhat surprisingly, Canha hit seventh against lefty Patrick Corbin while designated hitter J.D. Davis hit second, but the veteran outfielder still had plenty of success getting on base from the bottom of the order. If that slot in the lineup becomes his regular home, it would impact Canha's upside in runs, but more likely manager Buck Showalter will figure out he's a better fit higher in the order.

Alvarez went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk in Thursday's win over the Angels.

Alvarez served as the designated hitter and hit fourth in the lineup for the team's opening game of the 2022 season. He delivered his first home run of the new campaign in the eighth inning, going back-to-back with Alex Bregman. Alvarez is looking to build off his strong 2021 results, as he blasted 33 homers while hitting .277.