MLB Player News

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.

Abrams is expected to be included on the Padres' Opening Day roster, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.

Look for San Diego to make the move official by adding Abrams to the 40-man roster in the hours leading up to Thursday's season opener in Arizona, which starts at 9:40 p.m. ET. Abrams' inclusion on the Opening Day roster isn't a major surprise, as he stuck with the Padres throughout big-league camp and wasn't assigned to Triple-A El Paso when the affiliate began its season Tuesday. The 21-year-old is a middle infielder by trade, and he'll likely see most of his initial action at shortstop, where he and Ha-Seong Kim are expected to serve as the primary replacements for Fernando Tatis (wrist), who is expected to be sidelined into June. Abrams also made a start in right field late in Cactus League play, potentially giving him another avenue to at-bats. Even if he heads into Opening Day as more of a part-time player than a lineup regular, Abrams' elite speed and hit tool make him an appealing player to stash at the back end of a fantasy roster in most mixed leagues.

The Pirates optioned Marcano to Double-A Altoona on Wednesday, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Marcano was previously demoted to Triple-A Indianapolis on March 24, only to move down another level two weeks later since the Pirates determined an everyday role wouldn't be available to him with the top affiliate. The move to Double-A is a disappointing one for Marcano, who made the Padres' Opening Day roster last season before being dealt to Pittsburgh in the deal that sent Adam Frazier to San Diego. Upon joining the Pirates, Marcano reported to Indianapolis and fizzled over 48 games with the affiliate, slashing .230/.325/.279 with only six extra-base hits in 210 plate appearances.

Manager Brandon Hyde confirmed Wednesday that Owings has made the Orioles' Opening Day roster and will have his contract selected, Zachary Silver of MLB.com reports.

Owings will likely begin the season as a utility player, but there could be avenues for the 30-year-old to eventually settle into an everyday role at second base, third base, shortstop or in the outfield if injuries or poor performance from the players ahead of him on the depth chart opens up playing time. Before being shut down last summer with a thumb injury that sidelined him for the remainder of the season, Owings had a brief run of fantasy relevance for the Rockies. In just 21 games with Colorado, Owings slashed .326/.420/.628 with a home run, two stolen bases, nine runs and five RBI.

Mateo (hand) took full batting practice Wednesday and should be fully cleared in advance of Friday's season opener versus Tampa Bay, Zachary Silver of MLB.com reports.

After sitting out Monday with a side issue, Mateo was cleared to return to the lineup for the Orioles' spring finale Tuesday against the Blue Jays, only to exit early after he was struck on the right hand by a pitch. Fortunately, Mateo avoided any structural damage to his hand, and his ability to take full batting practice a day later suggests he's not experiencing too much soreness, either. Manager Brandon Hyde hasn't confirmed that Mateo will be the Orioles' Opening Day shortstop, but he certainly earned the job on the heels of his magnificent spring. The 26-year-old went 8-for-21 with six extra-base hits (two home runs, four doubles) and two walks against two strikeouts while going 1-for-2 on stolen-base attempts. That sort of power production probably won't be sustainable in the regular season, but the speedy Mateo should have the green light to run regularly for an Orioles squad that could struggle to manufacture runs.

Arcia batted .250 (8-for-32) over 14 games this spring and appears set as Atlanta's primary backup around the infield.

The defending champs have a set infield with Matt Olson, Ozzie Albies, Dansby Swanson and Austin Riley, but Arcia could see action a couple times a week giving any of the latter three a breather. The 27-year-old actually spent more of his time with the team last year in left field, but with Eddie Rosario and Alex Dickerson on the roster, Arcia likely won't be needed there too often. The former Brewer managed only a .567 OPS last season, but Atlanta is hoping he can supply something closer to the .733 mark he produced over 189 plate appearances in 2020.

Manager Dave Martinez informed Strange-Gordon on Tuesday that the utility man made the Nationals' Opening Day roster, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

The 33-year-old joined Washington on a minor-league deal in December and was able to earn a roster spot by hitting .469 in 12 spring training games. Strange-Gordon didn't play in the majors last season and hit .248/.288/.370 at the Triple-A level with the Cubs, Brewers and Pirates. He'll fill a utility role with Ehire Adrianza (quadriceps) beginning the season on the injured list.

Fletcher (hip) is starting at shortstop and batting ninth in Tuesday's spring game against the Dodgers.

Fletcher has been held out of the lineup the past few days due to hip tightness, but he'll retake the field for Tuesday's spring finale. The 27-year-old appears fully recovered from the injury and should start at shortstop Opening Day for the Angels.

Camargo will be on the Phillies' Opening Day roster, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Camargo spent the bulk of last season in the minors, going hitless in 18 trips to the plate at the MLB level, but it was always likely he'd break camp with the Phillies after signing a big-league deal in December. He doesn't have a clear path to regular at-bats, however, as the Phillies have an extra infielder even without him after electing to break camp with both Bryson Stott and Alec Bohm.

Barrero (hand) will begin the season on the 10-day injured list, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Barrero underwent surgery on the hamate bone in his left hand in late March and was given a six-week timetable. That means he'll get to avoid the 60-day injured list, but it will still be awhile before he's ready to go. Kyle Farmer should be the everyday shortstop until he returns.