MLB Player News

Abrams went 0-for-4 and was caught stealing in the Padres' 3-0 win over Arizona on Friday.

Though he didn't reach base in the victory, Abrams flashed a bit of the potential that led San Diego to include him on its Opening Day roster. The 21-year-old reached on a fielder's choice in the second inning and nearly swiped second base but slid past the bag and was tagged out after easily beating the throw. In the sixth, Abrams put excellent contact on a slider and drove the ball deep to right field, but it was caught on the warning track. The start was Abrams' first of the campaign after Ha-Seong Kim started at shortstop Opening Day, and it appears the pair may split time at the position until Fernando Tatis (wrist) returns in approximately two months.

Chang is not in Saturday's lineup against the Royals, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

He went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts on Opening Day. Chang and Oscar Mercado seem like the two weakest links in Cleveland's primary group of hitters, so when Mercado starts in the outfield, as he is Saturday, Amed Rosario will shift to the infield and push Chang to the bench.

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.

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.