MLB Player News

Mayer entered Thursday's game as a pinch hitter and went 2-for-2 with a double and a run scored in a 3-0 win over Cincinnati. He finished the game at second base.

Mayer was held out of the starting lineup against a lefty but got his chance after Reds starter Andrew Abbott was removed. Pinch hitting for Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Mayer led off the seventh inning with a double and scored the game's first run. He later led off the ninth with a single that triggered a two-run frame. Red Sox manager Alex Cora plans a three-player platoon at second base with Mayer against righties, while Kiner-Falefa and Andruw Monasterio handle southpaws. Mayer should get his first start Saturday against Reds' right-hander Brady Singer.

Anthony batted leadoff and went 3-for-4 with a walk and a run scored in Thursday's 3-0 victory over the Reds.

None of Anthony's three hits impacted the final score, but his ABS challenge in the top of the ninth inning turned a potential inning-ending strikeout into a walk. Two batters later, he came around to score as the Red Sox added two insurance runs. Anthony is expected to bat leadoff this season and could be among the league leaders in plate appearances.

Dingler went 2-for-5 with a home run and three RBI in Thursday's 8-2 win over the Padres.

Dingler got off to a slow start in camp following arthroscopic right elbow surgery in the offseason, but he heated up toward the end of Grapefruit League play and carried that momentum into Opening Day. The 27-year-old is expected to see the bulk of the playing time behind the plate for the Tigers, and after an encouraging 2025 regular season that saw him club 13 homers with a .752 OPS, Dingler could be in store for bigger and better things in 2026.

McGonigle went 4-for-5 with two doubles, two RBI and two runs scored in Thursday's 8-2 win over the Padres.

Making his MLB debut, McGonigle started at third base and batted sixth Opening Day, and he made quite the first impression on the heels of a strong spring training. The youngster became just the second Detroit player ever to record four hits in his first game in the majors. McGonigle is expected to see plenty of time at shortstop this year, though he covered the hot corner Thursday with Javier Baez starting at short. No matter where McGonigle plays in the field, he looks ready to make a fantasy impact right away.

Soriano (1-0) earned the win Thursday over the Astros, allowing two hits and four walks across six scoreless innings. He struck out seven.

It was an impressive showing for Soriano in his first career Opening Day start. The right-hander held Houston to just one hit through his first five innings en route to an eventual 3-0 victory. The 27-year-old Soriano will be tasked with anchoring the Angels' rotation this year after posting a 4.26 ERA with a 1.40 WHIP and 152:78 K:BB across 31 starts (169 innings) in 2025. He's currently lined up to face the Cubs on the road his next time out.

Romano earned the save in Thursday's 3-0 win over the Astros, logging a strikeout and a walk in a scoreless ninth inning.

With Kirby Yates (knee) and Robert Stephenson (elbow) sidelined to open the year, Romano was tasked with closing out Anaheim's 3-0 victory Thursday. It's an encouraging start to the year for the veteran right-hander, who signed with the Angels after struggling to an 8.23 ERA across 42.2 regular-season innings with the Phillies last season. Romano is expected to share ninth-inning duties with lefty Drew Pomeranz until the Halos' bullpen returns to full health.

Brown did not factor into the decision Thursday against the Angels, allowing four hits and four walks across 4.2 scoreless innings. He struck out nine.

Brown was impressive Thursday, though he'd ultimately come away with a no-decision after needing 102 pitches to get through 4.2 frames. The 27-year-old Brown is looking to build on a breakout 2025 campaign, during which he posted a 2.43 ERA with a 1.03 WHIP and 206 strikeouts across 31 starts (185.1 innings). Brown is currently slated to face the Red Sox at home in his next outing.

Ryan did not factor into the decision Thursday against the Orioles, allowing one hit and two walks across 5.1 scoreless innings. He struck out seven.

The right-hander was excellent in his second Opening Day start, but the Twins failed to get anything going offensively against Trevor Rogers, leaving Ryan with a no-decision in an eventual 2-1 defeat. The 29-year-old made 30 starts last season, posting a 3.42 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 194:39 K:BB across 171 innings. He'll hope for more support in his next outing, currently slated to come next week in Kansas City.

Rogers (1-0) earned the win Thursday over the Twins, allowing three hits and four walks across seven scoreless innings. He struck out five.

Rogers picked up where he left off in 2025, when he posted a sparkling 1.81 ERA with a 0.90 WHIP and 103:29 K:BB across 18 starts (109.2 innings). The southpaw needed only 88 pitches to make it through seven scoreless innings Thursday, which is particularly impressive given that he didn't have his best command. Rogers will look to keep rolling his next time out, currently slated for next week at home against the Rangers.

Helsley earned the save in Thursday's 2-1 victory over the Twins, allowing one hit while striking out three in a scoreless ninth inning.

It was a strong showing from Helsley, who was tasked with closing out a one-run victory in his Baltimore debut. The right-hander will be the Orioles' primary closer with Felix Bautista (shoulder) expected to miss the majority of the regular season. Helsley made 58 appearances (56 innings) between the Cardinals and Mets last year, posting a 4.50 ERA with a 1.54 WHIP and 63 strikeouts while converting 21 of 30 save chances.