MLB Player News

Baez went 1-for-3 with a walk and a two-run home run in Monday's win over the Red Sox.

Baez looks comfortable with his new team, as he has started 5-for-15 across his first four games, and he now has his first home run of the young season. The home run was a big one too, as it broke a 1-1 tie in the eighth inning and propelled Detroit to victory. The shortstop has been batting third for the Tigers and should continue to see plenty of chances to produce from the heart of the order.

Story (illness), who isn't available for Monday's game against the Tigers, hopes to be available Tuesday against Detroit, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Story missed Sunday's game against the Yankees due to a non-COVID illness, and he won't be available to appear off the bench in Monday's series opener in Detroit. However, he's traveling with the team and has a chance to return to action following a two-game absence. Jonathan Arauz is starting at second base and batting eighth in Monday's game.

Smith is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Rays, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Smith started each of Oakland's first three games at third base, going hitless with six strikeouts across 11 at-bats. Manager Mark Kotsay will give Sheldon Neuse a look at the position Monday, and if Neuse finds some success, Smith could end up moving into more of a timeshare at the hot corner.

Seager will start at shortstop and bat second in Monday's game against the Rockies.

Seager will hit out of the two hole for the second straight contest -- both of which have come against lefty starting pitchers -- after he previously slotted third in the order against right-handers in the first two contests. The 27-year-old has thus far lived up to the 10-year, $325 million megadeal he inked over the winter, as he's opened his tenure with the Rangers with three consecutive two-hit games while scoring three times and driving in two runs.

Crawford went 1-for-2 with a double, a walk and a run in a loss to the Twins on Sunday.

Crawford was the only other Mariner besides Mitch Haniger to record an extra-base hit in Seattle's first loss of the season, with his third-inning two-bagger setting him up to subsequently score the team's first run on Adam Frazier's single. The newly-minted shortstop has now reached safely in each of the first three games of the season, drawing a pair of walks in the opener on Friday before singling twice Saturday.

Witt will start at third base and bat second in Monday's game against the Guardians.

Witt has batted out of the No. 2 spot in each of his first four MLB games, and he's provided little reason for the Royals to move him down in the order. He was one of the few bright spots for Kansas City in Sunday's 17-3 blowout loss, going 1-for-4 with a double and two RBI.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Story (illness) won't be available for Monday's game against the Tigers, Sean McAdam of BostonSportsJournal.com reports.

While the Red Sox begin a three-game series in Detroit on Monday, Story is set to travel separately with the team while he continues to deal with a case of the flu. Cora reiterated Monday that Story's illness isn't COVID-19-related, and the fact that the prized offseason pickup is traveling with the team seemingly supports that notion. Even so, with Story already ruled out for Monday, he'll be available for no more than five of the Red Sox's six games this week, which could make it difficult for fantasy managers to justify including him in their lineups.

Correa went 1-for-5 with a home run in Sunday's win over Seattle. He's hitting 2-for-12 through his first three games with the Twins.

Correa was off to a slow start before hitting the home run in the sixth inning. He's hit second or third in the order in each of Minnesota's first three contests.

Anderson went 3-for-5 with two doubles and two runs scored in Sunday's 10-1 win over Detroit.

Anderson wasted no time making an impact in his season debut after serving a two-game suspension; he ripped a double on the first pitch of the game and came around to score on a Jose Abreu groundout. The star shortstop then doubled and scored again in the seventh. Anderson has hit .322 over the last three years and looks poised to repeat that success in 2022.

Franco went 3-for-4 with a double, a stolen base, two RBI and a run scored in Sunday's 8-0 win over the Orioles.

Franco helped Tampa Bay complete a three-game sweep to begin the 2022 campaign. He drilled a two-run single in the seventh inning and finished the series 6-for-11 with a pair of strikeouts. Taylor Walls replaced him near the end of the game and got an at-bat in the eighth inning of the blowout victory.