MLB Player News

Vodnik (0-1) allowed a solo home run over one inning and took the loss Friday against the Rays as the Rockies fell 3-2. He struck out one.

Vodnik is a candidate to close games out for the Rockies, but his 2025 debut will do him no favors in winning that role. Outfielder Kameron Misner jumped on the first pitch he saw from Vodnik and sent it over the fence in right for a walk-off winner for the Rays in their first game at Steinbrenner Field. Vodnik had nine saves in 2024 but also blew six save chances.

Freeland didn't factor into the decision Friday against the Rays, striking out seven and giving up two hits across six scoreless innings.

Freeland needed just 67 pitches to record 18 outs but was pulled after six innings as he builds up his pitch at the start of the season. The left-hander attacked the strike zone with 53 of his 67 offerings going for strikes. Freeland would like to forget his 2024 campaign in which he produced a bloated 5.24 ERA (his highest since 2019), and this was a great way to begin. His bullpen let him down late, however, costing him the win as the Rockies fell 3-2. Freeland is tentatively lined up for a tough matchup on the road at Philadelphia next week.

Amaya is not in the Cubs' starting lineup against the Diamondbacks on Friday.

Amaya drove in five runs during Thursday's 10-6 win over Arizona. He'll get a break Friday while Carson Kelly serves behind home plate and bats ninth against Diamondbacks right-hander Merrill Kelly.

Allen is starting at shortstop and batting eighth against the Padres on Friday.

Allen didn't see the field on Opening Day, but he'll get his first start of the 2025 season Friday while Orlando Arcia retreats to the dugout. Allen appeared in 41 regular-season games for the Athletics in 2024 and slashed .175/.216/.247 with one home run and four RBI across 105 plate appearances before being traded to Atlanta in November.

Kershaw (toe/knee) will face live hitters Saturday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Saturday will mark the first time Kershaw has thrown against a live opponent since undergoing surgeries on his left knee and left big toe during the offseason. The Dodgers are going to progress the veteran lefty through his rehab slowly, but if all goes according to plan, he'll be able to head out on a rehab assignment by the end of May.

Arcia is not in Atlanta's starting lineup against San Diego on Friday.

Arcia started at shortstop on Opening Day and went 1-for-4 with two strikeouts. He'll begin Friday's contest in the dugout while Nick Allen gets the start at shortstop and bats eighth against Padres right-hander Dylan Cease.

Pfaadt signed a five-year, $45 million contract extension with the Diamondbacks on Friday that includes a club option for 2031 and a mutual option for 2032, Jesse Friedman of GoPHNX.com reports.

Pfaadt's extension won't kick in until 2026, but it will buy out all three of his arbitration years and possibly his first three years of free agency if all options are exercised. The 26-year-old finished last season with a 4.71 ERA and 1.24 WHIP alongside a 185:42 K:BB in 181.2 innings (32 starts); however, his 3.60 FIP is much more indicative of how well he performed on the mound. His first start of the new year is slated to come Saturday versus the Cubs, against whom he allowed two earned runs over 14 innings with a 13:1 K:BB in two appearances last season.

Diaz isn't in the lineup for Friday's game versus Atlanta.

Diaz went 2-for-3 with a strikeout during San Diego's Opening Day victory, but he'll give way behind the plate to Martin Maldonado in the team's second game of the season.

Gonsolin (back) threw against live hitters Friday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Gonsolin began the season on the 15-day injured list after suffering a back injury while lifting weights in early March. Friday was the second time he's thrown to hitters, and he told reporters after his session that his next outing will go three innings either in another simulated game or while on a rehab assignment.

Frazier is starting at second base and batting eighth against the Marlins on Friday.

Frazier replaced Nick Gonzales in the sixth inning of Thursday's win over Miami after the latter injured his left ankle. With Gonzales being placed on the 10-day injured list on Friday, Frazier looks to have a hold on the keystone position for the time being and could remain in lineups against southpaws, whom he's batted .246 against in his career.