MLB Player News

Yastrzemski is starting in right field and batting leadoff in Friday's game versus the Yankees.

Fresh off a walk-off home run in Wednesday's win over the Reds, Yastrzemski has been moved up to the leadoff spot after batting either sixth or eighth in his first nine starts this season. The 34-year-old is slashing .344/.462/.594 with two homers and two steals in 10 games so far in 2025. Regular leadoff man LaMonte Wade is batting sixth Friday.

Valdez is starting at second base and hitting leadoff in Friday's contest against the Reds.

Valdez becomes the sixth different leadoff hitter the Pirates have had in their first 14 games this season. The 26-year-old is also making his first start at second base for Pittsburgh, as each of his first five starts had all been at first base.

McCutchen is not in the lineup for Friday's game versus the Reds.

Bryan Reynolds (triceps) being unable to play the field continues to eat into McCutchen's playing time, as the Pirates don't appear willing to let him play the outfield every day. Adam Frazier is in right field and hitting eighth Friday.

Cruz (finger) remains out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Reds.

Cruz was hit on the finger by a pitch in Tuesday's game versus the Cardinals and will now miss a second straight start. He was available as a pinch runner or defensive substitute in the Pirates' last game and presumably will be again Friday, but it appears Cruz isn't ready to hit yet. Jack Suwinski is covering center field and batting sixth in Friday's series opener.

Conine is not in the lineup for Friday's game versus the Nationals.

With lefty Mitchell Parker on the hill for the Nationals, the left-handed-hitting Conine will grab a seat. Javier Sanoja will cover left field and bat eighth.

Mervis is out of the lineup for Friday's contest versus the Nationals.

Southpaw Mitchell Parker is on the bump for the Nationals, so the left-handed-hitting Mervis will begin the series opener on the bench. Mervis has homered three times over his last four games but remains in a strict platoon, with all nine of his starts coming against righties. Jonah Bride is at first base Friday.

Diaz (hamstring) will make back-to-back appearances with Triple-A Louisville on Friday and Saturday, Charlie Goldsmith of the Dayton Daily News reports.

This sets Diaz up for a return early next week, assuming he bounces back well from the back-to-backs. Reds manager Terry Francona has said on multiple occasions that he wants to get Diaz back in the closer role eventually, but it's not a lock that the right-hander will immediately reclaim ninth-inning duties. The hamstring injury affected Diaz's command and control in spring training, as evidenced by his five walks in 3.1 Cactus League innings.

Marte is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Pirates.

Marte was recalled from Triple-A Louisville on Tuesday but hasn't started any of the Reds' three games since the promotion, with his only action coming as a pinch runner. The Reds will need to clear a roster spot for Andrew Abbott (shoulder) on Saturday and for Matt McLain (hamstring) on Tuesday, and it's a good bet Marte will be optioned one of those two days.

Steer (shoulder) will begin working on throws from first base over the next few days, Charlie Goldsmith of the Dayton Daily News reports.

Steer has been limited to designated hitter duty in the early going this season, as he's still working his way back from a right shoulder injury that first cropped up last season. There's no timeline for when Steer will be able to handle defensive duties, but he's making progress.

The Marlins selected Brantly's contract from Triple-A Jacksonville on Friday.

Brantly will return to the majors to provide catching depth alongside Liam Hicks while Nick Fortes (oblique) is on the injured list. While Brantly has seen action in parts of nine major-league seasons, he has not reached even 100 plate appearances in a big-league campaign since 2013. He is yet to get into a regular-season game at any level this season.