MLB Player News

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.

Lindor underwent X-rays on his jaw that came back negative and cleared concussion protocols after exiting Friday's game against the Nationals.

Lindor was hit in the face by a pitch in the top of the fifth inning Friday, but he appears to have avoided a significant injury. The 28-year-old should be considered day-to-day ahead of Saturday's matchup against Washington, but if the Lindor misses any time, Luis Guillorme will likely fill in at shortstop.

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.

Lindor was removed from Friday's game against the Nationals in the top of the fifth inning after being hit in the head by a pitch, Deesha Thosar of the New York Daily News reports.

Lindor remained down for a few moments after being hit by the pitch, but he was walking and alert while being checked by trainers. While the exact nature of the issue isn't yet clear, he was replaced by Luis Guillorme, who entered the game as a pinch runner. Prior to Lindor's departure, he went 0-for-1 with a run, a walk and a strikeout. Whether he's available for Saturday's matchup against Washington remains to be seen.

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.

Abrams will start at shortstop and bat eighth in Friday's game against the Diamondbacks.

The 21-year-old had his contract selected by San Diego on Thursday and didn't see the field during the Opening Day loss to Arizona, but he'll join the lineup for his MLB debut Friday. Abrams, who is the Padres' top prospect, hit .290/.357/.414 with two home runs, 23 RBI and 13 stolen bases for Double-A San Antonio last year, and he's expected to have at least a part-time role at second base, shortstop and right field this season.

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.

Crawford agreed to a five-year, $51 million contract extension with the Mariners on Friday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Crawford had already avoided arbitration with the Mariners for 2022 by agreeing to a one-year, $4.85 million deal, but the new deal will take effect for this season while buying out two years of free agency. The 27-year-old has settled in as Seattle's everyday shortstop over the past three years, and in 2021 he hit .273/.338/.376 with nine home runs, 37 doubles, 89 runs, 54 RBI and three stolen bases over 160 games.