MLB Player News
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Chris Owings SS | LAD
Diamondbacks' Chris Owings: Scores three runs in win
Owings went 2-for-3 with a walk, an RBI and three runs in Arizona's 9-8 win against the Rockies on Friday.
Owings was in the midst of a solid campaign that saw him log 12 home runs and 12 steals in 362 at-bats last year before a finger injury landed him on the 60-day disabled list, costing him a substantial chunk of the season. Now healthy, Owings might not light it up in any one category but he seems primed to take on a utility role for the Diamondbacks, where he could see action at second base, shortstop and in the outfield. His versatility means he'll have eligibility at multiple positions, while also increasing the likelihood he'll continue to see regular at-bats in Arizona's lineup.
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Dansby Swanson SS | CHC
Braves' Dansby Swanson: Goes 3-for-4 against Phillies
Swanson went 3-for-4 with an RBI and a run in Atlanta's 5-4 extra-inning loss to the Phillies on Friday.
Touted as a potential breakout candidate ahead of last season, Swanson never got going in 2017, posting a .232/.312/.324 slash line in 488 at-bats and even getting sent to Triple-A Gwinnett for a stretch. Friday's three-hit showing was a nice start for the young shortstop, but Swanson will have to show that he can produce consistently at the big-league level before he can confidently be deployed in fantasy lineups.
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Chris Owings SS | LAD
Diamondbacks' Chris Owings: Hitting fifth Friday
Owings is hitting fifth and starting in right field Friday against the Rockies.
With Steven Souza (pectoral) out, it appears the Diamondbacks will operate with a platoon in right field where Jarrod Dyson starts against righties and Owings starts against lefties. This platoon has nothing to do with Owings' performance against lefties (72 wRC+ for his career), and everything to do with Dyson's struggles (59 wRC+).
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Trea Turner SS | PHI
Nationals' Trea Turner: Batting sixth on Opening Day
Turner is batting sixth and playing shortstop in Friday's game against the Reds.
It's something of a surprise to see Turner moved down the order, as he hit exclusively first or second for the Nationals last season. He has prototypical leadoff man speed, though that trait has been decreasing in importance recently compared to on-base ability. Turner is respectable in that regard, with a .348 career on-base percentage, but Friday's leadoff man Adam Eaton and number two hitter Anthony Rendon both have .358 career figures. New Nationals manager Dave Martinez could be using that to drive his decision. It remains to be seen whether Turner will remain in the sixth spot or if this lineup is simply a one-off. If he sticks at sixth, it would drive down his run-scoring potential and his total plate appearances, which could leave him with fewer chances to steal bases.
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Nick Ahmed SS | TEX
Diamondbacks' Nick Ahmed: Reaches base twice in opener
Ahmed went 1-for-3 with a double, walk and two runs in Thursday's 8-2 win over the Rockies.
Ahmed opened the past season as the primary backup at shortstop behind Chris Owings, but the two are set to flip roles in 2018 with Owings transitioning to utility work in the infield and outfield. The prospect of more consistent plate appearances improves Ahmed's fantasy outlook, but probably not enough to make him an interesting commodity outside of NL-only formats. Even in what was a career year at the plate in 2017, Ahmed slashed just .251/.298/.419 across 178 plate appearances, which was good for a 76 wRC+.
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Johan Camargo SS | SF
Braves' Johan Camargo: Hits 10-day DL
The Braves placed Camargo (oblique) on the 10-day disabled list Thursday, MLB.com reports.
The DL stint is retroactive to March 26, so Camargo could be activated as soon as April 5. Even if he's not quite ready to go by that time, Camargo doesn't seem likely to miss much more than the minimum 10 days, as he's already resumed running and hitting since suffering the right oblique strain. He'll likely take over as the Braves' primary third baseman once he's healthy.
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Allen Cordoba SS | CIN
Padres' Allen Cordoba: Heads to DL
Cordoba (concussion) was placed on the 10-day disabled list Wednesday.
Cordoba is expected to land on the 60-day disabled list, but the Padres don't need a 40-man roster spot at the moment, so they'll hold off on making that move for now. He's still suffering from concussion-like symptoms stemming from a mid-February car crash, and at this point, his return to baseball activities is not imminent. Cordoba, who hit .208/.282/.297 across 227 plate appearances as a Rule 5 pick last season, is expected to report to the minors once he's healthy enough to return to game action.
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Dean Anna SS | PHI
Phillies' Dean Anna: Dealt to Phillies
Anna was traded to Philadelphia on Wednesday, Chris Cotillo of SB Nation reports.
Anna appeared in 114 games at the Triple-A level last season for Omaha within the Royals' system, slashing .285/.364/.376 with five home runs and 33 RBI. He will likely report to Triple-A Lehigh Valley for the start of the 2018 campaign.
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Miguel Rojas SS | LAD
Marlins' Miguel Rojas: Should open season in everyday role
Rojas is slated to serve as the Marlins' Opening Day shortstop, Joe Frisaro of MLB.com reports.
Rojas will likely have to settle for short-side platoon duty at shortstop once J.T. Riddle (shoulder) is back to optimal health -- perhaps in early-to-mid-April -- but he should get a look in a full-time role over the Marlins' first handful of games. Though he has held his own at the plate with a .340 on-base percentage in spring training, Rojas' marginal power and career .256 batting average make him ideally suited for a utility role in the infield.
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Allen Cordoba SS | CIN
Padres' Allen Cordoba: Expected to hit 60-day DL
The Padres are expected to place Cordoba (concussion) on the 60-day disabled list, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.
Cordoba is still suffering from concussion-like symptoms following a mid-February car accident, with manager Andy Green indicating last week that the 22-year-old is "not getting better at all" in his recovery. With Cordoba's return to baseball activities not imminent, the Padres will shut him down for the next two months and open up an extra spot on the 40-man roster in the process. After slashing just .208/.282/.297 across 227 plate appearances with the Padres last season as a Rule 5 pick, it's expected that Cordoba will report to the minors once he progresses to the point of playing in games.