MLB Player News

Rojas went 1-for-5 with three walks and an RBI in Friday's 2-1 extra-inning win over the Cubs.

The shortstop saw very few pitches to hit during the marathon with light-hitting catcher Chad Wallace and the pitcher's spot behind him in the batting order, but Rojas made it count when he did, bringing home Brian Anderson from second base with a single in the 17th inning off Cubs closer Brandon Morrow. The career .256 hitter is just 2-for-9 to begin the season, and with J.T. Riddle (shoulder) potentially taking over starting duties at shortstop once he gets healthy, this could well end up being the high point of Rojas' season as a hitter.

Ahmed went 3-for-4 with a home run and five RBI in the Diamondbacks' 9-8 win over the Rockies on Friday.

Coming off an injury-shortened 2017, Ahmed has the job as Arizona's starting shortstop to begin 2018, and Friday's offensive explosion was certainly a good way to kick off the gig. Ahmed isn't likely to repeat this performance often, as the 28-year-old has never had an OPS higher than .717 in any of his seasons at the big-league level. That said, fantasy GMs who have a need at middle infield should keep tabs on Ahmed to see if he can parlay his starting role into consistent production.

Owings went 2-for-3 with a walk, an RBI and three runs in Arizona's 9-8 win against the Rockies on Friday.

Owings was in the midst of a solid campaign that saw him log 12 home runs and 12 steals in 362 at-bats last year before a finger injury landed him on the 60-day disabled list, costing him a substantial chunk of the season. Now healthy, Owings might not light it up in any one category but he seems primed to take on a utility role for the Diamondbacks, where he could see action at second base, shortstop and in the outfield. His versatility means he'll have eligibility at multiple positions, while also increasing the likelihood he'll continue to see regular at-bats in Arizona's lineup.

Swanson went 3-for-4 with an RBI and a run in Atlanta's 5-4 extra-inning loss to the Phillies on Friday.

Touted as a potential breakout candidate ahead of last season, Swanson never got going in 2017, posting a .232/.312/.324 slash line in 488 at-bats and even getting sent to Triple-A Gwinnett for a stretch. Friday's three-hit showing was a nice start for the young shortstop, but Swanson will have to show that he can produce consistently at the big-league level before he can confidently be deployed in fantasy lineups.

Bogaerts went 2-for-4 with two doubles and a run scored in Friday's 1-0 win over the Rays.

He's gotten off to a blistering start, rapping out five hits -- including four doubles -- in two games. Bogaerts actually has an active 11-game hitting streak dating back to last September, and if the 25-year-old has corrected the issues at the plate that prevented him from elevating and driving the ball as much as he needed to last season, he's more than capable of matching or improving on the impressive fantasy numbers he produced in 2016.

Owings is hitting fifth and starting in right field Friday against the Rockies.

With Steven Souza (pectoral) out, it appears the Diamondbacks will operate with a platoon in right field where Jarrod Dyson starts against righties and Owings starts against lefties. This platoon has nothing to do with Owings' performance against lefties (72 wRC+ for his career), and everything to do with Dyson's struggles (59 wRC+).

Turner is batting sixth and playing shortstop in Friday's game against the Reds.

It's something of a surprise to see Turner moved down the order, as he hit exclusively first or second for the Nationals last season. He has prototypical leadoff man speed, though that trait has been decreasing in importance recently compared to on-base ability. Turner is respectable in that regard, with a .348 career on-base percentage, but Friday's leadoff man Adam Eaton and number two hitter Anthony Rendon both have .358 career figures. New Nationals manager Dave Martinez could be using that to drive his decision. It remains to be seen whether Turner will remain in the sixth spot or if this lineup is simply a one-off. If he sticks at sixth, it would drive down his run-scoring potential and his total plate appearances, which could leave him with fewer chances to steal bases.

Ahmed went 1-for-3 with a double, walk and two runs in Thursday's 8-2 win over the Rockies.

Ahmed opened the past season as the primary backup at shortstop behind Chris Owings, but the two are set to flip roles in 2018 with Owings transitioning to utility work in the infield and outfield. The prospect of more consistent plate appearances improves Ahmed's fantasy outlook, but probably not enough to make him an interesting commodity outside of NL-only formats. Even in what was a career year at the plate in 2017, Ahmed slashed just .251/.298/.419 across 178 plate appearances, which was good for a 76 wRC+.

Bogaerts went 3-for-4 with two doubles and two runs scored Thursday against the Rays.

Bogaerts drove both of his doubles off the wall with authority, one pulled down the left field line and the other hit to straightaway center field. The fact that he drove the ball in the air and with power is an encouraging sign after he ended the 2017 season with a disappointing .130 ISO. After battling a wrist injury in the second half of last season, Bogaerts appears to be healthy as 2018 gets underway.

Anderson went 2-for-4 with two home runs in Thursday's win over the Royals, adding three runs and three RBI.

It took just one game for Anderson to surpass his home run total from spring training as he turned in the first multi-home run game of his career. He joined teammate Matt Davidson in the power surge Thursday with Davidson chipping in three long balls of his own. Beyond the impressive results Thursday, it's particularly encouraging that Anderson was able to belt those home runs after dealing with some shoulder issues early in the week. Anderson answered any questions about his health on Opening Day and figures to remain in the lineup Saturday when the White Sox face Ian Kennedy and the Royals.