MLB Player News

Franco will open the season with Triple-A Durham, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The 20-year-old phenom has yet to play above High-A and only spent 52 games at that level in 2019, but it's no surprise that the Rays see him as a Triple-A player following a year of development at the team's alternate training site. It would be no surprise if Franco dominates Triple-A pitching, as he has one of the best hit tools for a prospect in recent memory, as evidenced by his .336/.405/.523 slash line and 7.0 percent strikeout rate in 175 career minor-league games. The Rays have yet to offer much clarity on when he's expected to make his big-league debut, but his assignment to the highest level of the minors indicates they don't think he's far off.

DeJong isn't starting Thursday's game against the Phillies, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

DeJong will get a breather after he went 0-for-7 with a walk, a run and two strikeouts in the last two contests. Edmundo Sosa will start at shortstop and bat eighth.

Bichette went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Wednesday's 8-2 loss to the Nationals.

His eighth-inning shot off Daniel Hudson wrapped up the scoring on the night. Bichette snapped an 0-for-15 skid with this performance, and while his counting-stat production (six homers, three steals, 13 RBI and 17 runs through 23 games) is right on course, his .253 batting average is below expectations so far.

Turner went 4-for-5 with a double and two runs scored in Wednesday's 8-2 win over the Blue Jays.

The multitalented shortstop continues to rake. Over the last 13 games, Turner has seven multi-hit outings, slashing .373/.418/.667 during that stretch with four homers, four steals, six RBI and seven runs scored.

Ahmed went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI in Wednesday's 12-3 loss to San Diego.

Ahmed has hit in four straight games after getting a two-day break last weekend. The shortstop opened the season in a miserable 3-for-41 slump but has turned things around during this hitting streak, going 6-for-13 with three doubles.

Mateo went 2-for-5 with a two-run home run in Wednesday's win over Arizona.

Mateo connected on a 405-foot shot to left field off Kevin Ginkel in the ninth inning for his first home run as a major leaguer. The long ball came in his 57th career big-league at-bat. Mateo is off to a slow start overall this season, slashing .226/.314/.387.

Diaz is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Mariners, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

After recently starting nine times during a 10-game span, Diaz will be on the bench for the third day in a row Wednesday. The return of Jose Altuve from the COVID-19 injured list earlier this week appears to have closed Diaz's window for regular playing time. He'll now transition back into a utility role, which may only afford him a start or two per week when the Astros have their full complement of position players available.

Baez (hamstring) isn't starting Wednesday's game against Atlanta.

Baez worked on the field ahead of Wednesday's contest, but he'll be out of the lineup for a third straight game due to a Grade 1 left hamstring strain. Nico Hoerner will take over at shortstop and bat eighth. Manager David Ross said that Baez was moving well during his pregame work, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports. As a result, he'll be available off the bench Wednesday and could be back in the starting nine for Thursday's series finale against Atlanta.

The Royals plan to have Witt begin the minor-league season at Double-A Northwest Arkansas, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.

Kansas City's decision to send Witt to Double-A rather than Triple-A Omaha shouldn't have much bearing on when the prized prospect gets a big-league call-up, which will likely come at some point this summer. Since Witt has yet to make his debut in affiliated ball, the Royals may just want to see how he fares against high-level minor-league competition for a period of time before summoning him to the majors. Witt has been developed as a shortstop up to this point, but since Adalberto Mondesi (oblique) will have that position locked down once activated from the injured list, the 20-year-old may get some exposure to second base as well as the outfield during his time at Northwest Arkansas.

Wendle is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Athletics, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

The lefty-hitting Wendle will get a breather with southpaw Cole Irvin on the bump for Oakland. With Wendle on the bench, Yandy Diaz and Willy Adames will fill out the left side of the infield.