MLB Player News

Espinal started at third base and went 2-for-3 in Saturday's 3-2 win over the Giants.

Espinal, who entered the starting lineup for the first time, filled in at third base while Jeimer Candelario handled DH duties for Spencer Steer, who was given a rest day. The hot corner could be a revolving door over the first month of the season. In addition to Espinal and Candelario, Gavin Lux and Steer could see time there. At this point, Lux is covering left field for the injured Austin Hays (calf) and Steer is dealing with a shoulder that's limited him to DH and could prompt more rest days than normal.

Hampson entered as a pinch runner and was responsible for the final out of the game in Saturday's 4-3 loss to the Cubs.

The veteran utility player prevailed over Ildemaro Vargas for Arizona's final roster spot partially due to his speed. Unfortunately for Hampson, who was making his debut with his new team, an over-aggressive play on the basepaths led to the game-ending out -- he took a wide turn at third base on Corbin Carroll's slow chopper to short, and got caught when Dansby Swanson faked a throw to first. Hampson isn't likely to offer much fantasy value in his bench role anyway, but moments like this won't earn him more playing time.

Volpe went 1-for-4 with a three-run home run, an additional run and two walks in a 20-9 thrashing of Milwaukee on Saturday.

Volpe played his part on a historic day for the Yankees, smashing one of the team's franchise-record nine homers with a three-run blast to left field in the second inning. The 23-year-old has gone deep in each of New York's first two games of the campaign after hitting a modest 12 homers over 688 plate appearances last season. In fact, both of Volpe's hits so far have left the yard.

Bichette went 4-for-4 with a walk, two doubles and two runs in a 9-5 loss to the Orioles on Saturday.

The 27-year-old has a hot bat to start the 2025 season, hitting .500 (6-for-12) in the early going with three runs, two doubles, one walk and no strikeouts. As long as he can stay healthy, Bichette figures to be a good candidate for runs hitting atop the Blue Jays offense in 2025.

Kiner-Falefa went 2-for-3 with two walks and two stolen bases Saturday against the Marlins.

Kiner-Falefa was expected to lead off for a significant portion of spring, but he's instead hit ninth in all three of Pittsburgh's games. He's still found a way to be productive and has benefited from the team's aggressiveness on the basepaths by swiping three bases on three tries. Kiner-Falefa is likely to provide little other production, but he could be a streaming option for stolen bases.

Pena went 1-for-3 with a solo home run during Saturday's 2-1 win over the Mets.

Pena got the scoring started in the fifth inning when he took Griffin Canning deep for a 363-foot solo homer to left field. Pena is looking to build off a solid 2024 campaign in which he slashed .266/.308/.394 with 20 stolen bases, 15 home runs and 70 RBI across 650 plate appearances. Pena and the Astros will enjoy a team day off Sunday before starting up a three-game home series against the Giants on Monday.

Shaw went 1-for-2 with a solo home run in Saturday's 4-3 victory versus Arizona.

Shaw didn't start the contest, but he came through in a big way as a pinch hitter when he smacked a solo homer to left-center field in the seventh inning. The long ball was his first major-league home run, and it proved to be the winning margin in the 4-3 win. Shaw is working as the Cubs' primary third baseman in his rookie campaign, and he's gone 3-for-19 through his first five major-league games.

McLain went 2-for-4 with a solo home run, a double and an additional run scored in Saturday's 3-2 win over the Giants.

McLain put the Reds on the board with a homer in the third inning and then scored the tying run in the fifth. After missing the entire 2024 season due to injury, the 25-year-old looks healthy and could provide plenty of value hitting second in front of Elly De La Cruz most days.

Sosa went 2-for-4 with an RBI, a run scored and a walk in Saturday's 11-6 win over Washington.

Sosa entered the lineup to bat ninth and fill in at shortstop for the injured Trea Turner (back) on Saturday, and he was one of six Phillies to register a multi-hit game. The severity of Turner's issue is unknown, but Sosa could be in line to handle extra at-bats for however long the former remains out of action.

Leonard signed a minor-league contract with Atlanta on Saturday, Ari Alexander of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Leonard was cut loose by Detroit on Thursday but didn't have to wait very long for his next opportunity, as he'll now provide organizational infield depth at Triple-A Gwinnett. The 24-year-old slashed .263/.326/.455 with 282 plate appearances in Triple-A last season and is still waiting to make his MLB debut.