MLB Player News

Castro is out of the lineup Wednesday against the Nationals.

Despite reports earlier Wednesday that Castro could immediately move into the starting lineup at shortstop, the Braves will delay that plan for at least one day. Erick Aybar will get the start once again at shortstop, but Castro could move into the lineup there and Aybar could slide over to second base. Castro was slashing .333/.375/.381 in 21 at-bats at Triple-A Gwinnett before being recalled Wednesday.

Castro was recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett on Wednesday.

Hector Olivera's placement on Administrative Leave on Wednesday opened a spot on the active roster for Castro. Olivera will be on leave for the foreseeable future, which could give Castro a chance at sticking at the major league level. That said, Jeff Francoeur and Kelly Johnson will likely platoon in Olivera's old spot in left field, while Castro will likely serve as a depth option in the infield. According to MLB.com's Mark Bowman Castro could appear at shortstop as early as Wednesday, which would move Erick Aybar to second base.

Rojas is in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Mets, according to MLB.com's Joe Frisaro.

Rojas, who is working as a utility infielder for the Marlins, will make his first start of the season Wednesday with Adeiny Hechavarria getting a day off. Rojas will hit eighth against Mets starter Logan Verrett.

Baldoquin left Tuesday's game for High-A Inland Empire with a hamstring injury, 66ers broadcaster Steve Wendt reports.

He apparently aggravated the injury while running out a double in the fourth inning. Baldoquin is a top-10 prospect in the Angels system, but that says more about how bad that farm system is than it does about Baldoquin as a prospect. Consider him day-to-day.

Lindor hit his first home run Tuesday against the Rays, part of a 2-for-4 performance in the loss.

Lindor's homer was one of just five hits allowed by Rays starter Matt Moore. Lindor is on a tear to begin the season, with a .368/.429/.526 line in his first 21 plate appearances. Lindor showed surprising power for this early stage of his career with 12 home runs last year, and he's starting right where he left off in 2016.

Ahmed went 1-for-3 with a solo homer and two runs Tuesday at the Dodgers.

His second homer of the year tied the game at one in the seventh inning before he later scored an important insurance run in the ninth. After going 0-for-10 in the four-game series against the Cubs, his clutch performance will hopefully get him back on track.

Baez (thumb) felt good after playing in his first rehab game Monday with Triple-A Iowa, The Des Moines Register reports. "I don't feel lost," Baez said after the game. "I don't feel any different. I'm feeling normal right now."

This is good news for Cubs fans and fantasy owners alike, who are hoping to see Baez back on the field for the big league squad as soon as possible. Even better news is Baez homered in Monday's game, so it appears he has already found his swing. The Cubs want Baez to see around 20-to-25 at-bats in the minors before rejoining the big club, which puts him on track to come off the disabled list this weekend or early next week.

Owings is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Dodgers.

Owings started the last two games and has started five of the Diamondbacks' seven games this season, but he will get the day off Tuesday with Socrates Brito starting in center field. The two will continue splitting the center field duties in Arizona moving forward.

Cubs manager Joe Maddon said Baez (thumb) will likely get 20-to-25 at-bats at Triple-A Iowa before returning from the DL, Patrick Mooney of CSN Chicago reports.

Baez will be in the lineup at third base Monday night for Triple-A Iowa. The 23-year-old was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a left thumb contusion March 29 after jamming it during a slide in a spring training game on March 17. Once healthy, Baez has a clearer path to playing time, as the Cubs are looking for help in left field following the season-ending knee injury to Kyle Schwarber last week.

Baez (thumb) is in the lineup at Triple-A Iowa at third base Monday, Tommy Birch of the Des Moines Register.

He's expected to see time in the outfield with Iowa in the coming days as well. With the season-ending knee injury to Kyle Schwarber last week, the Cubs have more flexibility in their lineup, which could open up time for Baez once he's healthy enough to be activated from the disabled list.