MLB Player News

Fletcher is not in Friday's starting lineup against Oakland.

Fletcher hasn't drawn a start through the first two games of the season, although there's been no mention of an injury. Tommy La Stella will get the call at the keystone for the second straight contest after doubling in Thursday's opener.

Correa (neck) will miss at least the next two games, both against the Rays, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Correa will be held out of the next two matchups due to neck soreness, and manager AJ Hinch won't allow his starting shortstop to return until he manages to turn in a full day of baseball activities. While it's positive news that Correa felt good Friday, he won't be taking any cuts just yet. He could be back in action in time for Sunday's series finale against the Rays if all goes according to plan. Aledmys Diaz is in line for time at short until Correa is cleared.

Wendle is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Astros, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

Wendle went 0-for-2 and was hit by two pitches in Thursday's season-opening loss, but he never came out of the game and no injury has been announced, so there's no real concern on his status. Daniel Robertson will start at second base and bat sixth in his stead Friday.

Correa (neck) is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Rays, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

Correa had neck stiffness crop up Tuesday and was unable to play in Thursday's season opener. The 24-year-old has remained optimistic he'll be able to play at some point during the four-game series against Tampa Bay, but it's unsurprising to see the Astros being cautious with his return to action after he didn't feel right when taking swings Thursday. Aledmys Diaz will grab another start at shortstop in his absence.

Diaz started at shortstop in place of the injured Carlos Correa (neck) and went 0-for-4 in Thursday's 5-1 win over the Rays.

Correa's injury is not considered serious, but the Astros didn't want to push it. Diaz will remain the shortstop for as long as Correa is sidelined. Once Correa returns, Diaz will shift to a utility infield role.

Lindor (calf/ankle) is scheduled to visit a foot and ankle specialist in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Tom Withers of the Associated Press reports.

Lindor suffered an acute left ankle sprain in a minor-league game earlier in the week (while rehabbing from a right calf strain), resulting in his placement on the 10-day injured list to open the season. He remains without a timeline for his return, though one will hopefully come into focus following his visit to the doctor. Eric Stamets, who started at shortstop Thursday, should continue to fill in for Lindor.

Fletcher is not in the lineup for Thursday's season opener against the A's.

Fletcher dealt with a nagging hamstring issue last week, though it's unclear if that has anything to do with his absence from Thursday's lineup, as he appeared in the team's final two exhibition games against the Dodgers on Monday and Tuesday. Tommy La Stella is starting at second base in his absence, while Peter Bourjos is covering left field.

The Indians placed Lindor (calf/ankle) on the 10-day injured list Thursday.

Lindor looked to be in line for only a brief stint on the IL to open the season while he recovered from a right calf strain, but his timeline may have been pushed back after he sustained an acute left ankle sprain during a minor-league game Tuesday. The Indians are viewing Lindor as out indefinitely at this stage, with a clearer target date for his return unlikely to be available until he resumes playing in simulated or rehab games.

Correa (neck) is out of the lineup for Thursday's season opener against the Rays, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Correa experienced some neck stiffness prior to the Astros' exhibition finale Tuesday against the Pirates and is considered day-to-day. The Astros had held out hope that he would be ready to go for Opening Day, but Correa "still didn't feel right" after taking some swings Thursday, according to Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle, so the club will err on the side of caution and turn to Aledmys Diaz at shortstop. Correa is optimistic that he'll be able to play at some point during the team's four-game series with Tampa Bay.

Smith is slated to open the season at Double-A New Hampshire, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

The 2017 fourth-round pick will move up a rung on the minor-league ladder after churning out a .302/.358/.528 slash line with 25 home runs and 29 steals in 523 plate appearances between Low-A Lansing and High-A Dunedin a season ago. Top prospects Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette are viewed as future cornerstones for the Blue Jays on the left side of the infield, but Smith, who has primarily played shortstop during his career, could be an everyday option at second base as soon as 2020 if he continues to perform at a high level in the upper minors.