MLB Player News

Griffin is starting at shortstop and batting seventh in his major-league debut Friday against the Orioles.

Pittsburgh officially added the 19-year-old to the big-league roster earlier Friday, and he'll slot into the bottom third of the order in his first game with the major-league club. Griffin has just five games under his belt at the Triple-A level but has a .950 OPS overall during his minor-league career. The top prospect is also expected to finalize a nine-year, $140 million contract extension in the near future.

Gray will start at shortstop and bat ninth in Friday's game against the Rays.

It's the second consecutive start at shortstop for Gray, who is 3-for-9 with a 1:4 BB:K in the early going this season. Brooks Lee should still handle the lion's share of starts at shortstop for Minnesota over the long haul.

Lee is not in the lineup for Friday's game versus the Rays.

Lee started four of the first five games of the season but has now been on the bench for two in a row. The Twins will roll with Tristan Gray as their starting shortstop in Friday's home opener.

Mateo slugged a two-run home run in his only at-bat during Thursday's 17-2 rout of the Diamondbacks.

The utility infielder pinch hit for DH Dominic Smith in the ninth inning and took position player James McCann deep. Mateo has been used sparingly early in the year, appearing in just three of Atlanta's first seven games and getting only four plate appearances, and it'll likely take an injury or two to put him in a fantasy-friendly role.

The Pirates selected Griffin's contract from Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday.

Griffin is set to make his major-league debut Friday during the Pirates' home opener. The expectation is that he will also receive a nine-year, $140 million contract extension, per Buster Olney of ESPN, though that has not been finalized. Griffin will take over as the Pirates' everyday shortstop after collecting a .336/.420/.530 batting line with 21 home runs and 68 stolen bases in his first 127 minor-league games.

Winn (undisclosed) will start at shortstop and bat leadoff in Friday's game versus the Tigers.

Winn was involved in a car accident Wednesday prior to the Cardinals' off day Thursday, but he emerged uninjured and won't have to miss any games. The shortstop is just 4-for-25 with one stolen base and a 2:5 BB:K in his first 27 plate appearances this season.

Lawlar (hand/wrist) underwent X-rays, which came back negative, after Thursday's 17-2 loss to Atlanta, Jose M. Romero of The Arizona Republic reports.

He was struck in the right hand/wrist in the bottom of the seventh inning by a sinker from relief pitcher Osvaldo Bido. Lawlar appears to have avoided any significant damage, but the 23-year-old will undergo a CT scan Friday to confirm the diagnosis. If Lawlar is forced to miss any action moving forward, Tim Tawa could stand to see some added opportunities in the outfield against right-handed pitchers.

Lawlar exited Thursday night's contest against Atlanta in the eighth inning after being hit by a pitch in the right hand, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Lawlar took a 94.3-mph sinker from Osvaldo Bido off of his right hand with one out in the bottom of the seventh inning, ultimately remaining in the game until Arizona took the field on defense in the top of the eighth. The 23-year-old was replaced in left field by Tim Tawa, and more information on Lawlar's status moving forward will likely be provided in the near future.

The Rockies optioned Ritter to Triple-A Albuquerque on Thursday.

Ritter claimed a spot at the end of Colorado's bench to begin the regular season, but he'll now head back to Triple-A after beginning the season 1-for-7 with a run scored and three strikeouts. His demotion frees up a spot on the Rockies' active roster a day before Mickey Moniak (finger) is eligible to return from the injured list.

The Pirates and Griffin are working to finalize a nine-year, $140 million contract extension, Buster Olney of ESPN reports.

The Pirates already announced that Griffin would be called up to make his major-league debut in Friday's home opener against the Orioles, and it appears the debut will be accompanied by a lucrative, long-term deal. He won't turn 20 until later this month, so Griffin will still be in his 20s when he gets his first crack at free agency. Griffin is set to take over as the Pirates' everyday shortstop after slashing .336/.420/.530 with 21 home runs and 68 stolen bases in his first 127 minor-league games.