MLB Player News

Story went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and two runs scored to help the Rockies to a 6-3 victory over the Marlins on Thursday.

The 26-year-old shortstop is coming off a fantastic 2018 campaign that saw him post a .915 OPS with 37 homers over 598 at-bats, and he picked up right where he left off in this Opening Day victory for Colorado, launching a fifth-inning solo blast off Miami starter Jose Urena. Story's power-hitting prowess and his speed on the basepaths (27 steals last season) figure to allow him to continue being one of the premier assets at the position in 2019.

Baez went 2-for-5 with two home runs and four RBI in Thursday's season-opening win over Texas.

Baez got the scoring started for the Cubs with a solo home run in the fourth inning, then helped break things open with a three-run shot an inning later. A year after finishing second in NL MVP voting, the 26-year-old wasted no time getting right back to elite-level production to begin 2019.

Herrera drew the start in left field and went 0-for-3 in Thursday's season opener against the Rockies.

Herrera made the team despite a sluggish spring at the dish and ended up drawing the start on Opening Day, although it appears his bat has yet to wake up. He should serve in a bench role for the Marlins in 2019, but it appears skipper Don Mattingly is willing to give Herrera opportunities at the plate early in the year. The 26-year-old slashed .234/.286/.317 with a home run and 20 RBI over 86 games a season ago during stops with Cincinnati and Kansas City.

Seager, who is starting at shortstop and hitting second Thursday, will likely get Sunday's game off, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

He will still start Thursday, Friday and Saturday, so it's not particularly actionable news unless you play in a very, very shallow league. This could be a bit of a trend, where he gets planned maintenance days all season.

The Pirates informed Reyes that he will be on the team's Opening Day roster, Nubyjas Wilborn of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Reyes earned a spot on Pittburgh's Opening Day roster thanks to a strong spring, during which he hit .308/.351/.500 with two homers and three stolen bases in 23 games. While the 25-year-old figures to fill a utility role with the big club, he could split time with Melky Cabrera in right field to open the season if Lonnie Chisenhall (hand) is forced to miss time.

Swanson went 1-for-3 with a home run, two runs scored and two RBI in Monday's exhibition game against the Reds.

His solo shot in the sixth inning off David Hernandez was his first homer of the spring. Swanson's .290/.371/.419 slash line in 35 plate appearances is somewhat encouraging, but the shortstop figures to hit at the bottom of the Braves' order in 2019 -- he was slotted in ninth Monday as the team used a DH -- and his opportunities to make a fantasy impact could be limited.

Reyes has built off of his strong showing last September and is batting .308 with an .851 OPS in 52 spring at-bats.

Although he hasn't even officially made the Opening Day roster, Reyes could be in line for more playing time if Lonnie Chisenhall (hand) is forced to the injured list. Reyes saw extensive action in right field last September, hitting .293 with three homers in 58 at-bats. Should Chisenhall miss any action, Reyes would likely split time with Melky Cabrera in right.

Arcia went 2-for-4 with two runs in Saturday's split-squad game against the Rangers.

Arcia has hit the ball well in March, going 11-for-39 (.282) with a home run and six RBI. He has batted leadoff at times this spring, but that was likely done in an effort to maximize his at-bats, and he will slot in near the bottom of the order when the regular season begins. While his spot in the batting order won't be optimal for fantasy players, the depth of the Brewers' batting order should still provide him ample opportunities with runners on base. Arcia will be the Brewers' regular shortstop in 2019, and will look to carry over last year's playoff success -- a .959 OPS over 10 games -- to the new season.

Cruz went 1-for-3 with a tape-measure homer off Zach Eflin in Saturday's win over Philadelphia.

The 20-year-old, who also turned a pair of nifty double plays Saturday, slashed .286/.343/.488 with 14 homers and 11 stolen bases for Low-A Bradenton in 2018. He's one of Pittsburgh's top prospects but likely remains a long ways away from making his potential major-league debut. General manager Neal Huntington said during Saturday's game that the organization plans on keeping the 6-foot-6 Dominican at shortstop despite his height, at least for the time being. Given Cruz's blend of speed and power, there's a good chance he moves up fantasy rankings quickly. He's expected to play for High-A Bradenton in 2019.

Manager Dave Martinez said Saturday that Turner will primarily bat second for the Nationals this season, Brittany Ghiroli of The Athletic reports.

Turner started 141 games between the top-two spots in the lineup in 2018 and this season figures to be more of the same. Adam Eaton will serve as the leadoff hitter, assuming he is able to remain healthy. Turner figures to be a major threat on the bases once again -- he has 89 steals in 260 games over the last two years -- but those numbers could be muffled slightly if he remains in the two-hole all season.