MLB Player News

Lowe is starting in right field and batting seventh in Friday's opener against the Rockies.

The Rays seemed to telegraph that they intended to use the left-handed hitting Lowe as an everyday player with how they constructed their roster, and he is indeed in there versus southpaw Kyle Freeland on Opening Day. Lowe has a career .193/.252/.287 slash line against left-handed pitching, so he has some work to do to avoid being platooned.

Aranda is not in the lineup for Friday's opener against the Rockies.

The Rockies are sending left-hander Kyle Freeland to the bump, so it's not a surprise the lefty-hitting Aranda will begin the contest on the bench. He is a candidate to come in mid-game when the Rockies use a right-handed reliever, and the 26-year-old remains likely to start at first base or DH against most righties.

Mead is starting at first base and batting leadoff in Friday's opener versus the Rockies.

Mead was one of the best hitters in all of baseball during spring training, going a ridiculous 22-for-42 (.524) with one home run and a 6:6 K:BB. The Rays have rewarded him by slotting him at the top of their batting order in their opener against southpaw Kyle Freeland. Much of Mead's playing time is likely to come versus lefties, but he could hit his way into a bigger workload if he gets off to a hot start.

Roden went 1-for-2 with a walk in Thursday's loss to the Orioles.

Hitting ninth and playing right field in his big-league debut, Roden led off the sixth inning with a single before working Keegan Akin for a free pass to lead off the eighth. It was an early glimpse of Roden's on-base skills, and if the Blue Jays struggle to generate offense early, it may not be long before the 25-year-old is moved up to the top of the order. Roden's role once Daulton Varsho (shoulder) comes off the IL remains uncertain, but the rookie made a strong first impression.

Jansen (rib) is starting at catcher and batting sixth in Friday's opener against the Rockies.

Jansen missed the last several days of spring training with a pulled muscle in his ribcage, but he came out of a simulated game Wednesday with no issues and is ready to roll. The former Blue Jay is expected to receive the bulk of the reps at catcher for the Rays this season.

Volpe went 1-for-4 with a solo home run Thursday in a 4-2 win against Milwaukee.

Volpe swatted a solo shot in the second inning after Austin Wells went deep leading off the bottom of the first for the Yankees. The Opening Day homer gave Volpe a promising start to the campaign in the power department after he clubbed just 12 long balls over 688 plate appearances last season. The young shortstop hit 21 home runs across 601 plate appearances as a rookie in 2023, so there's reason to believe there's more power in his bat than he demonstrated in his sophomore campaign.

Slaten struck out one and didn't allow a baserunner in a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save Thursday against the Rangers.

Closer Aroldis Chapman entered for the eighth inning with the game tied 2-2, as the lefty-hitting Corey Seager was batting leadoff, opening up the ninth inning for Slaten after Boston took the lead. The right-hander recorded two saves and 13 holds with a 2.93 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 58:9 K:BB across 55.1 innings as a rookie last season, and he's one of the Red Sox's top relief arms again in 2025, even if Chapman is expected to be the primary closer early on.

Jackson (0-1) took the loss Thursday against the Red Sox after surrendering three runs on two hits and a walk over one-third of an inning. He struck out one.

The right-hander entered for the top of the ninth inning with the game tied 2-2 and struck out Triston Casas to open the frame. Jackson then allowed a single and a walk before serving up a three-run homer to Wilyer Abreu. Jackson emerged as the apparent favorite for saves late in spring training, and though Thursday wasn't a save situation, his 2025 campaign is off to an inauspicious start. Chris Martin and Robert Garcia are also in the closer mix, and rookie Marc Church could also be involved in high-leverage spots.

Bader went 2-for-4 with a double and a two-run home run in Thursday's loss against the Cardinals.

Bader appeared ticketed for fourth-outfielder duties with the Twins heading into spring training, but he seems to be a beneficiary of the injuries to infielders Royce Lewis (hamstring) and Brooks Lee (back). With Lewis and Lee on the injured list, Jose Miranda is expected to see the majority of the starts at third base to begin the season, making corner outfielders Trevor Larnach and Matt Wallner candidates to see more time at designated hitter and thereby opening up a spot in the outfield for Bader. His performance Thursday should also help keep him the lineup in the short term until Lee or Lewis return.

Wallner started in right field and batted leadoff in Thursday's loss against the Cardinals. He went 0-for-4 with a walk.

Wallner usage in the leadoff spot against right-handed starters in spring training carried over into the regular season. He had a chance to tie the game with a runner on in the top of the ninth inning but struck out. Wallner will likely sit against most left-handed pitchers -- he had a .275/.387/.566 slash line against righties last year over 217 plate appearances, but just a .184/.295/.316 line in 44 PAs against southpaws.