MLB Player News

Shaw is starting in right field and batting ninth in Thursday's season opener against the Nationals.

Michael Conforto was expected to step in as the Cubs' primary right fielder versus right-handed pitching with Seiya Suzuki (knee) on the injured list, but Shaw will instead get the call Opening Day against Washington righty Cade Cavalli. Shaw almost exclusively played third base as rookie last season, but he prepared to fill a super-utility role during the offseason and will immediately get a look at one of his new positions Thursday. The 24-year-old struggled to a .689 OPS in 126 regular-season games last year in his first taste of the majors but is coming off a strong spring training, during which he batted .320/.417/.500 in 60 plate appearances.

Winn is starting at shortstop and batting cleanup in Thursday's opener versus the Rays.

Winn is an atypical cleanup hitter -- this will be just his fourth career start in the slot -- but the rebuilding Cardinals don't have many middle-of-the-order options. It's a boost for Winn's RBI outlook, as he should have chances to drive in runs with JJ Wetherholt, Ivan Herrera and Alec Burleson batting ahead of him.

Holliday (hand) is set to begin a rehab assignment Friday at Triple-A Norfolk.

Holliday didn't see any game action in spring training after undergoing surgery Feb. 12 to remove the fractured hook of the hamate bone in his right hand, but he resumed taking batting practice before the end of camp and was spotted taking part in fielding drills at Camden Yards on Wednesday, per Jake Rill of MLB.com. The 22-year-old evidently checked out fine following Wednesday's workout and is expected to be in the lineup when Norfolk opens its season Friday. Holliday will be eligible to return from the 10-day injured list next Wednesday, but because he missed all of spring training, the Orioles may want to keep him on assignment with Norfolk for a longer period prior to activating him. Until Holliday is deemed ready to rejoin the big club, the Orioles will likely turn to Blaze Alexander and Jeremiah Jackson to handle most of the reps at the keystone.

Lindor (hand) is starting at shortstop and batting leadoff in Thursday's opener against the Pirates.

Lindor is just six weeks removed from hamate bone surgery but is ready to roll for Opening Day after playing five Grapefruit League games. Power can sometimes be slow to come back after this type of procedure, but fantasy managers will nonetheless want to have Lindor locked and loaded into their lineups.

The Orioles reassigned Barrero to Triple-A Norfolk on Wednesday, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.

Barrero appeared in 22 games at the big-league level with St. Louis in 2025, but he finished last season in the Orioles organization as a member of the Norfolk roster and will return to the affiliate to begin the 2026 campaign. The 27-year-old came up short in his bid for a utility spot on the Orioles' Opening Day roster after slashing just .105/.150/.289 over 40 plate appearances during the Grapefruit League.

The Rangers reassigned Wade to Triple-A Round Rock on Wednesday.

After failing to win a spot on the Rangers' Opening Day roster, Wade looks like he'll stick around in the organization as utility depth at Triple-A. The 31-year-old saw action in 60 big-league games for the Padres in 2025, slashing .206/.309/.252 with no home runs, one stolen base, 13 runs and nine RBI across 127 plate appearances.

The Blue Jays designated Jimenez for assignment Wednesday.

Jimenez had no minor-league options remaining, so after deciding not to include him on their Opening Day roster, the Blue Jays will have to expose the young infielder to the waiver process. The 24-year-old offers a capable glove at three infield spots but hasn't resembled a big-league-caliber hitter over various stints with Toronto over the past two seasons, as he's produced a .207/.303/.332 batting line (85 wRC+) across 242 career plate appearances.

Rivas is slated to start at shortstop for the Mariners on Opening Day after J.P. Crawford (shoulder) was placed on the 10-day injured list, Adam Jude of the Seattle Times reports.

The Mariners might have considered top prospect Colt Emerson to play shortstop if Crawford's absence was going to be an extended one, but he's expected back in a couple weeks. As such, the club will turn to the defensively gifted Rivas at shortstop. Rivas has a good eye at the plate, but he's unlikely to be worthy of a roster spot in fantasy leagues even while playing regularly.

The Mariners placed Crawford (shoulder) on the 10-day injured list Wednesday.

Crawford has battled nagging right shoulder inflammation since the start of spring training and was given a cortisone injection last week. He is eligible for activation April 1 and has expressed optimism that he could return within the next couple weeks, per Adam Jude of the Seattle Times. Leo Rivas will fill in at shortstop for the Mariners while Crawford is shelved.

The Phillies selected Cairo's contract from Triple-A Lehigh Valley and optioned him to Lehigh Valley on Wednesday.

Cairo did enough this spring to earn a spot on the 40-man roster, but he will begin the season in the minors. The 24-year-old is a light-hitting infielder but gives the Phillies a versatile, stable glove at Lehigh Valley.