MLB Player News

Baez went 2-for-5 with an RBI in Friday's win over the White Sox.

It was a mixed bag for Baez in his Detroit debut, as he also struck out twice and left four runners on base. The shortstop can be streaky at times, but he should see ample playing time and will have plenty of chances to produce in the middle of the order. Last season with the Cubs, Baez slashed .265/.319/.494 with 31 home runs and 87 RBI.

Hamilton went 4-for-5 with two home runs and seven RBI for Double-A Portland on Friday.

Hamilton, who came to the Red Sox from Milwaukee in the Hunter Renfroe trade, was a double short of the cycle in the first game with his new organization. The 24-year-old speedster batted leadoff and also stole a base for the Sea Dogs. He stole 52 bags in two minor-league stops in 2021, a sign that he's regained speed after sustaining an Achilles injury while in college.

Pena went 3-for-5 with a solo home run and a double in a 13-6 triumph over the Angels on Friday.

RotoWire's No. 28 fantasy prospect notched his first big-league hit with an infield single in the second inning and later homered and doubled in Houston's eight-run seventh. Pena should see ample opportunity to produce as the starting shortstop in a potent offense, though he'll most likely remain in the bottom third of the order for the foreseeable future after hitting seventh in each of the Astros' first two games.

Diaz went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and an additional RBI in Friday's 13-6 triumph over the Angels.

Diaz tied the game in the fourth inning with one of six Houston home runs and later singled home another run in the seventh. The utility man should see semi-regular at-bats this season in a fill-in roll throughout the infield and has shown the ability to hold down a starting opportunity if it arises, which it has at first base with Yuli Gurriel on paternity leave.

Mateo went 1-for-3 with a walk and a strikeout in Friday's 2-1 loss to the Rays.

Mateo won the starting shortstop job in spring training, and he was one of two Orioles to reach base multiple times Friday. The 26-year-old is versatile enough to play a variety of positions, but having a starting role boosts his profile in fantasy. Mateo slashed a mediocre .247/.293/.376 with four home runs, 14 RBI, 19 runs scored and 10 stolen bases in 89 games between the Padres and the Orioles last season. Should he enter a slump, veteran utility man Chris Owings could push him for playing time.

Franco went 3-for-4 with three singles in Friday's 2-1 win over the Orioles.

Picking up right where he left off after his terrific rookie campaign, Franco made hard contact all day and was rewarded with three hits. He posted a subpar .637 OPS through 32 spring plate appearances but wiped the slate clean in the Rays' first game. The shortstop slashed .288/.347/.463 in 70 MLB games last season.

Diaz is starting Friday's game against the Angels at first base, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Diaz didn't appear in Thursday's Opening Day win, but he should serve as the primary first baseman in the coming days after Yuli Gurriel was placed on the paternity list Friday. Diaz will bat fifth against left-hander Reid Detmers.

Bogaerts hopes to return to the lineup Saturday against the Yankees after leaving Friday's game with a right hamstring issue, Julian McWilliams of The Boston Globe reports.

Bogaerts felt the injury while hitting but believes it to be a minor one. While he thinks he can return one day later, the Red Sox could elect to take a more cautious approach. If he's unavailable, Trevor Story would likely slide to shortstop, with Christian Arroyo starting at second base.

Bogaerts left Friday's game against the Yankees with an apparent injury, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports.

The specifics of Bogaerts' injury are not yet clear, though it may be a hamstring issue, per John Tomase of NBC Sports Boston. Losing Bogaerts for an extended period would be a big blow to Boston's chances in the highly competitive American League East. The team does have another very competent shortstop in Trevor Story, who signed over the offseason, though shifting him over to his natural position would open up a different hole at second base.

Fletcher went 1-for-3 with a triple and an RBI in Thursday's loss to the Astros.

The infielder smacked his lone hit in the bottom of the eighth inning, bringing home Brandon Marsh. Fletcher is looking to bounce back from a 2021 season in which he hit .262 with a .621 OPS, both of which were career-worst figures for him.