MLB Player News

Smith is not in the lineup for Monday's contest against the Guardians.

Smith will receive a day off after starting at catcher in each of the Dodgers' first three games of the season. It will be Dalton Rushing behind the dish and batting ninth in Monday's series opener versus Cleveland.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said Monday that Polanco is dealing with a sore Achilles but feels well enough to serve as a designated hitter, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Polanco is in the Mets' lineup at DH on Monday in St. Louis and could remain in that slot for a bit as a precaution. Jared Young is getting a start at first base Monday in Polanco's place, but it should be Brett Baty getting the bulk of the reps there until Polanco is able to play the field. Baty is starting in right field Monday.

The Diamondbacks recalled Fernandez from Triple-A Reno on Monday.

Fernandez was added to the 40-man roster over the offseason and this will be his first promotion to the big leagues. The 22-year-old slashed .272/.321/.454 with 17 home runs and 12 steals in 2025 at Double-A Amarillo. Fernandez could see some playing time while Pavin Smith (elbow) is out but is likely to operate more as a reserve infielder.

The Diamondbacks placed Smith (elbow) on the 10-day injured list Monday with left elbow inflammation.

Smith has been dealing with an elbow injury since spring training. An MRI last week came back negative, but Smith is dealing with inflammation that's been deemed back enough to finally force an IL move. He'll be eligible for activation April 8, but it's unclear whether Smith has a chance to be ready on that date. Ildemaro Vargas is starting at designated hitter for Arizona in Monday's game versus the Tigers and will continue to be in the mix for playing time there -- along with Tim Tawa, Jorge Barrosa and Jose Fernandez -- while Smith is shelved.

Smith is not in the lineup for Monday's contest versus the Tigers.

Smith had started each of the previous two games after overcoming a sore elbow, but he'll begin Monday's festivities on the bench. Ildemaro Vargas will serve as the designated hitter and bat eighth for the Diamondbacks.

Shaw is not in the lineup for Monday's contest against the Angels.

Shaw started each of the first two games of the season in right field, but he's been on the bench in favor of Michael Conforto for the last two tilts. All four contests have been versus right-handed pitching, and the two players could continue to share right field until Seiya Suzuki (knee) returns.

Murphy (hip) could begin a rehab assignment with High-A Rome later this week, Grant McAuley of the Marietta Daily Journal reports.

Murphy has rejoined Atlanta to continue rehabbing from hip surgery. He will work out with the big club early this week before participating in a simulated game with Rome on Wednesday. Murphy has not played in a game setting in nearly seven months, so he will need more than just a few rehab contests before being activated from the 10-day injured list. The 31-year-old could be ready for his season debut around the beginning of May.

Strider (oblique) will travel with Atlanta on its road trip, but he remains without a timetable to begin a rehab assignment, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Strider is expected to throw a live batting practice session at some point during the team's road trip that runs from April 2 through 8, and Atlanta will have a better idea at that point when the right-hander will be ready to pitch in a game. The right-hander is eligible for activation from the 15-day injured list April 6, and while he won't be ready to return by that date, it might not be much later than that.

Robert is absent from the lineup for Monday's tilt in St. Louis.

Robert will receive a day of rest after starting all three games of the Mets' season-opening series against the Pirates. Carson Benge will slide over to center field and Brett Baty will handle right field for the Mets.

Ortiz is not in the lineup for Monday's game against the Rays.

He'll receive a day of rest after starting each of the first three games of the season. With Ortiz getting a breather, the Brewers will shift David Hamilton over to shortstop and give Luis Rengifo a start at third base.