MLB Player News

Wendle is not starting the first game of the season Thursday against the Marlins, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The Rays rotate their players heavily, so sitting on Opening Day isn't necessarily indicative of Wendle's future playing time. It's still something of a surprise that he's sitting despite the Marlins starting a righty (Sandy Alcantara), especially with the right-handed Willy Adames and Yandy Diaz making up the left side of the Rays' infield.

Ahmed (knee) isn't starting Thursday's game against the Padres.

The 31-year-old dealt with a right knee injury late in camp, but manager Torey Lovullo thought that there was a strong possibility that Ahmed could play Opening Day. However, Josh Rojas will fill in at shortstop Thursday while Asdrubal Cabrera enters the lineup at the hot corner, batting fifth.

Owings is starting Thursday's game against the Dodgers.

While Ryan McMahon is expected to see the majority of playing time at second base to begin the season, Owings will start at the keystone on Opening Day with southpaw Clayton Kershaw on the mound for the Dodgers. Owings hit .262 with four home runs and seven RBI this spring.

Lindor and the Mets won't play Thursday against the Nationals after the game was postponed due to COVID-19 concerns, Buster Olney of ESPN reports.

Lindor reached a 10-year, $341 million contract extension with the Mets on Wednesday, but he'll have to wait to make his debut with his new team. The Nationals are reportedly dealing with at least one positive test for COVID-19 along with several staff members who are unavailable due to contact tracing. It's not yet clear when the two teams will be able to play.

Bogaerts and the Red Sox won't play the Orioles on Thursday after their Opening Day game was postponed due to rain, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

The two teams are now scheduled to play their season opener Friday, which was initially set to be an off day for both sides.

Lindor agreed to a 10-year, $341 million contract extension with the Mets on Wednesday. Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

The two sides appeared to be at a standstill in talks with Lindor's Opening Day deadline for negotiations fast approaching, but an agreement was reached late Wednesday night. The total value of the contract is $1 million more than the extension signed by Fernando Tatis earlier this offseason, though Lindor's annual value is much higher. According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the contract contains no opt-outs and a partial no-trade clause, so Lindor is essentially locked in with the Mets through his age-38 season. He'll make his debut for New York on Thursday at Washington after posting a .370/.433/.630 slash line over 60 plate appearances during spring training.

Royals manager Mike Matheny said he expects Mondesi to miss "a couple weeks" with the strained right oblique that resulted in the shortstop's placement on the 10-day injured list Wednesday, Josh Vernier of 610 Sports reports.

According to Matheny, Mondesi initially tweaked his oblique in his first at-bat during Monday's Cactus League game, and though he was able to remain in the game, he felt renewed pain Tuesday. The Royals thus decided to put Mondesi on the shelf to begin the season, but given the rough timeline Matheny provided, the 25-year-old appears to be dealing with a low-to-moderate grade strain. Regardless, Mondesi's absence for any length of time is a tough break for fantasy managers, who are likely counting on him to nearly single-handedly propel them to the top of the standings in the stolen-base category. Nicky Lopez is expected to serve as the Royals' primary shortstop for the duration of Mondesi's absence, with Hanser Alberto perhaps serving as a short-side platoon partner at the position.

Chang will start at first base for Thursday's game against the Tigers, Tom Withers of the Associated Press reports.

Chang should come off the bench against right-handed pitchers this season, but he'll draw the Opening Day start with southpaw Matthew Boyd starting for Detroit. Chang slashed .282/.317/.692 with four home runs and 10 RBI in 18 spring games this year.

Mondesi was placed on the 10-day injured list with a right oblique strain Wednesday.

Mondesi didn't appear to have any limitations to close out Cactus League play this spring, but he's apparently dealing with an oblique issue that will force him to miss time to begin the regular season. Nicky Lopez was recalled from the alternate training site in a corresponding move, and he could fill in at shortstop along with Hauser Alberto while Mondesi is sidelined. Mondesi's placement on the injured list is retroactive to March 30, and it's not yet clear whether the 25-year-old will be forced to miss more than the minimum of 10 days.

Turner is expected to begin the season hitting third in the batting order, Maria Torres of The Athletic reports.

The shortstop spent the majority of 2020 hitting leadoff for the Nats, but this spring, manager Dave Martinez expressed a desire to move Turner into a run-producing spot and has followed through. It's hard to argue the .335/.394/.588 slash line Turner delivered last year doesn't belong in the heart of the order, but the success of the switch will likely depend more on how Victor Robles fares as the team's new table-setter. If Turner does find a new permanent home in the No. 3 spot, hitting behind Juan Soto rather than the bottom of the order should give him a massive boost in RBI opportunities, but it's not yet clear how it might impact his stolen-base total.