MLB Player News

Kessinger (hamstring) grounded out in his lone plate appearance in Monday's 10-0 loss to the Blue Jays.

Kessinger didn't see make any Grapefruit League or exhibition appearances after March 18 while he recovered from a right hamstring strain, but he showcased enough improvement last week to be included on the Astros' Opening Day roster as a reserve infielder. With the Astros building a 10-run lead after seven innings, Kessinger got the chance to make his season debut in the bottom of the eighth as a pinch hitter for designated hitter Yordan Alvarez. He's still waiting to make his debut in the field, but Kessinger at least looks to be healthy now.

Cruz will start at shortstop and bat leadoff in Wednesday's game against the Nationals, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

The Pirates faced five straight southpaws to begin the season, and the left-handed-hitting Cruz hit sixth twice, seventh twice and had one day off in those contests. With right-hander Trevor Williams taking the ball Wednesday, Cruz will be elevated to the top of the batting order.

Wade is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Cardinals.

He'll remain on the bench with southpaw Zack Thompson on the hill for St. Louis, but the lefty-hitting Wade had already been withheld from the starting nine in two of the previous three games in which the Padres faced off against right-handers. After manning third base for each of San Diego's first three contests of the regular season, Wade's perch atop the depth chart seems to be loosening, with Graham Pauley and Eguy Rosario beginning to earn more playing time at his expense. All three players are likely to see their opportunities dwindle, however, once Manny Machado is cleared to play the hot corner on an everyday basis, as he remains limited to designated-hitter duties for now following October elbow surgery.

Tovar will start at shortstop and bat second in Wednesday's game against the Cubs, Luke Zahlmann of The Denver Gazette reports.

Tovar batted leadoff one game, but his other five starts this season came from the seventh spot in the order. Rockies manager Bud Black is shaking up his lineup a bit in hopes of jumpstarting an offense that's averaging just 2.7 runs per game amid a 1-5 start to the season.

Winn is not in the lineup for Wednesday's contest in San Diego, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

It's a day off for Winn, who will yield to veteran Brandon Crawford at shortstop. Winn is 5-for-16 with one RBI and one stolen base in his first five games this season.

Berti is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Diamondbacks.

Berti will stay on the bench for a third game in a row after making his first start with the Yankees in 4-3 win over the Astros on Sunday, when he went 1-for-4 with an RBI. Though DJ LeMahieu (foot) is facing an uncertain timeline for a return, Berti looks like he'll be ticketed for a utility role while the hot-hitting Oswaldo Cabrera operates as the club's primary third baseman.

Merrill is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Cardinals, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

The Cardinals are rolling out southpaw Zack Thompson, so the left-handed hitting Merrill will take a seat. The Padres will go with Jose Azocar in center field.

DeJong is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against Atlanta.

DeJong will take a seat against a right-handed starting pitcher (Spencer Strider) for the second day in a row and looks to be moving into a short-side platoon role at shortstop with the lefty-hitting Braden Shewmake. DeJong has just two hits through 11 at-bats this season, though both knocks have been solo home runs.

Arcia is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the White Sox.

Arcia will head to the bench in what appears to be routine maintenance for a day game after a night game. Luis Guillorme will step in at shortstop for Arcia, who has gone 9-for-20 with four doubles and one walk while plating two runs and scoring twice through Atlanta's first five contests of the season.

Mateo will start in center field and bat seventh in Wednesday's game versus Kansas City.

Mateo has yet to start a game versus a right-hander, but he's been in the starting nine all three times the Orioles have faced southpaws thus far. He manned second base in his first two starts but will handle center field Wednesday while the lefty-hitting Cedric Mullins gets a breather against Royals southpaw Cole Ragans.