MLB Player News

Abrams isn't included in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Diamondbacks.

Fresh off getting an official promotion to San Diego earlier Thursday, Abrams will take in his first big-league game from the dugout. The matchup with Arizona southpaw Madison Bumgarner is likely a factor in the lefty-hitting Abrams taking a seat, but the 21-year-old rookie is expected to handle at least a part-time role versus right-handed pitching. Abrams saw action at second base, shortstop and right field in spring training, with all three positions representing potential avenues to playing time when any of Jake Cronenworth, Ha-Seong Kim, Wil Myers or Jurickson Profar are out of the lineup.

Nationals manager Dave Martinez said Adrianza (quadriceps), who was placed on the 10-day injured list Thursday, has yet to start a running program, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

The skipper noted that until Adrianza is able to start running again during his rehab program at extended spring training, the Nationals won't have a clear target date for his return from a left quad strain. Adrianza's absence to begin the season allowed Lucius Fox to secure a spot on the Nationals' Opening Day roster as a reserve infielder.

McCoy was traded from the Orioles to the Mariners on Thursday in exchange for cash considerations, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

McCoy appeared in 112 games at Triple-A Norfolk last year and hit .221 with nine homers, 49 runs, 43 RBI and 13 steals. He'll presumably head to Triple-A Tacoma to begin the minor-league season.

Ahmed (shoulder) was placed on the 10-day injured list Thursday.

Ahmed has dealt with shoulder injuries in the past and expected to be able to play through the issue in 2022, but he was sidelined for the final week of camp and will begin the season on the injured list due to inflammation in his right shoulder. Geraldo Perdomo is starting at shortstop Thursday and should see most of the playing time at the position while Ahmed is unavailable.

Chang will start at second base and bat sixth Thursday against the Royals.

Chang will be rewarded with an Opening Day start after he turned in a big spring training that included a .925 OPS over 36 at-bats in Cactus League play. The 26-year-old has typically seen most of his starts against left-handed pitchers over his last three seasons in the big leagues, but he'll be in the lineup versus righty Zack Greinke on Thursday. Chang will likely need to prove he can hold his own against righties for an extended stretch to maintain a full-time role, as the Guardians would have the ability to move Amed Rosario from left field to the middle infield if Chang can't get the job done at the plate.

Schmitt (hand) is on High-A Eugene's Opening Day roster.

Schmitt missed time last season with a hand injury and finished the Low-A season with a .247/.318/.406 slash line with eight home runs, 29 RBI, 36 runs scored and two stolen bases in 64 games. The 2020 second-round pick probably shouldn't be expected to advance beyond Double-A this season barring a significant improvement in his batting stats.

Williams will be on the Giants' Opening Day roster, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Williams' defensive versatility makes him a good fit for a bench role. After hitting a modest .245/.315/.316 as a rookie last year, he may not get the chance to play regularly, even with a Giants team that rotates players frequently.

The Padres selected Abrams' contract from Triple-A El Paso on Thursday.

The 21-year-old secured his spot on the Opening Day roster after slashing .324/.359/.514 across 37 at-bats during Cactus League play. The Padres haven't indicated that their top prospect will be an everyday starter at any position, but Abrams likely wouldn't have made the Opening Day roster just to provide depth. He'll presumably be in store for at least a handful of starts per week at either second base and shortstop, and perhaps even right field, where he received a look in the Padres' Cactus League finale. Abrams' excellent bat-to-ball skills and high-end speed could make him a useful asset in the batting average and stolen base categories.

Castillo is not in the lineup for Thursday's Opening Day contest against the Cardinals.

A strong spring for Castillo earned him an Opening Day call-up despite the fact that he'd only played in 18 Triple-A games. The promotion was perhaps even more surprising given that the Pirates are in no rush to win and didn't call up fellow middle infield prospect Oneil Cruz. Castillo's inclusion apparently doesn't mean he'll have an everyday role, however. Kevin Newman starts at shortstop, while Hoy Park starts at second base. Castillo is a righty while Park bats left-handed, so it's possible Pittsburgh plans to utilize a platoon at the keystone.

Witt will bat second and play third base in his MLB debut Thursday against the Guardians, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

The Royals showed their faith in Witt by skipping any service-time games and including him on their Opening Day roster, and they'll show further faith by inserting him directly into a key spot in the lineup. Witt is still just 21 years old and has only played 160 games as a professional, but he has a very good chance of justifying that faith right away, as he hit .290/.361/.575 with 33 homers and 29 steals in 123 games in the upper minors last season.