MLB Player News

Duran filled in at left field Monday after Josh Smith was hit in the face by a pitch. He went 0-for-2 in a 2-0 loss to Batlimore.

Duran is primarily an infielder, but he was given exposure to left field during spring training. Expanding Duran's position versatility is about getting his potentially dangerous bat in the lineup. He's appeared in three games (one start) thus far and is 1-for-6.

Mateo went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Monday's 2-0 win over the Rangers.

Mateo was out of action Sunday after cutting his hand in Saturday's game versus the Red Sox, but it was never expected to be a long-term issue. The 27-year-old shortstop has already put his speed on display with four steals through three games. His fifth-inning solo shot was his first homer, and he's added three RBI, four runs scored and a 2:2 BB:K. It's still too early to tell if his plate discipline has truly improved, but he struck out nearly once per game in 2022 -- any improvement in that regard can only raise his batting profile.

Witt went 2-for-3 with a run, two RBI, one walk and one steal Monday against the Blue Jays.

He got his first hits of the season and also stole his first base. Most encouragingly, Witt has a 3:3 K:BB in 16 plate appearances this season.

Smith left Monday's game against the Orioles after being hit in the face by a pitch in the third inning, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Smith was hit in the face by a Danny Coulombe pitch and had to exit the contest. Ezequiel Duran has entered the game as a pinch runner. Smith was taken to a local hospital for further scans and testing on his face and jaw.

Volpe picked up his third stolen base of the season while going 0-for-3 with a walk and a run scored in Sunday's 6-0 victory versus San Francisco.

Volpe has gone hitless in two of three games to start his MLB career, but he's reached base via walk in both of those hitless contests and has swiped a bag in all three of his appearances thus far. The rookie stole 48 bags across two minor-league levels last season, and he's already showing that he has the speed and timing to be a prolific base stealer in the majors. Volpe's performance thus far has justified New York's decision to commit to the 21-year-old as its primary shortstop in a season during which the team has World Series aspirations.

Mateo (hand) will start at shortstop and bat eighth in Monday's game against the Rangers.

The speedy infielder is back in action after he was held out of Sunday's 9-5 loss to the Red Sox with a minor laceration on his right hand. Mateo's free-swinging approach will likely make him a liability in the batting-average category this season, but so long as he stays healthy and sticks in an everyday role, he should be a leading contender for MLB's stolen-base crown. He's already gone a perfect 4-for-4 in steal attempts through his first two games of the young season.

Smith is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Phillies.

Though he manned left field in both of the Rangers' first two games of the season while the Phillies brought right-handers in Aaron Nola and Zack Wheeler to the hill, the lefty-hitting Smith will take a seat Sunday with southpaw Bailey Falter toeing the rubber for Philadelphia. Ezequiel Duran checks into left field in place of Smith, who went 1-for-4 with two walks and three runs over his first two starts.

Fletcher (abdomen) is starting at shortstop and batting ninth Sunday against the Athletics, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

The 28-year-old dealt with an abdominal injury late in spring training and will make his first start of the season in Sunday's series finale. Fletcher appears to be fully recovered from the injury and should see occasional starts while serving as a reserve infielder this year.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone told reporters before Sunday's game against the Giants that Volpe could hit leadoff at times during the 2023 season, Pete Caldera of The Bergen Record reports.

Boone mentioned that he considered moving Volpe to the top of the order for Sunday's game with DJ LeMahieu out of the lineup, but he likes the rookie shortstop hitting ninth due to his on-base ability and speed. A move to the top spot on occasion would potentially be beneficial for fantasy purposes as it would give him more plate appearances and the chance to score more runs. Even in the nine spot, Volpe has a chance to be a strong fantasy option because of his speed and Aaron Judge hitting behind him one way or another.

Story (elbow) is scheduled to begin a throwing program in two weeks, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Story will begin throwing in the middle of April, and assuming all goes well, the infielder will start a hitting program two weeks later. The 30-year-old underwent internal brace surgery in January to repair the UCL in his right elbow, and he's expected to miss at least the first half of the 2023 season. Being able to hit and throw before the end of May suggests he's at least on schedule with that timeline.