MLB Player News

Smith isn't in the lineup for Friday's game against the Tigers, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

After collecting a base hit in each of the Dodgers' first three regular-season games while drawing five walks, Smith will get a breather Friday. His absence will allow Austin Barnes to make his first start of the year behind the plate while batting ninth.

The Pirates recalled Valdez from Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday.

With Nick Gonzales (ankle) headed for the injured list, the Pirates will bring Valdez up from the minors to replenish their infield depth. The 26-year-old is likely to remain on the bench most days while Adam Frazier starts at the keystone until Gonzales returns.

The Pirates placed Gonzales on the 10-day injured list Friday due to a non-displaced fracture in his left ankle, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

Gonzales appeared to injure himself when he smacked a two-run home run in the sixth inning of Thursday's game against the Marlins. Further tests revealed a fracture in his left ankle, and he will head back to Pittsburgh to see a foot specialist to determine a rehab schedule, per Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Enmanuel Valdez was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis in a corresponding move, and Adam Frazier should get starts at the keystone for as long as Gonzales is sidelined.

Thomas is starting in center field and batting seventh in Friday's contest against the Cubs.

Thomas was on the bench in favor of Jake McCarthy for Thursday's opener versus lefty Justin Steele, but he'll get the call against right-hander Jameson Taillon on Friday as the Diamondbacks look to even the series. There will be some instances when both McCarthy and Thomas are in the lineup, with Lourdes Gurriel a candidate to shift to designated hitter those days.

McCarthy is not in the lineup for Friday's tilt versus the Cubs.

McCarthy started in center field Opening Day, going hitless but plating a run with a sacrifice fly. He will yield to Alek Thomas in center field for the second game of the series Friday.

Moreno is absent from the lineup for Friday's game against the Cubs.

Moreno started Opening Day and reached base three times while scoring a pair of runs. However, he will yield to Jose Herrera for the second game of the series as Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo looks to get one of his reserves some work early in the season.

Siri is not in the lineup for Friday's contest against the Astros.

It could wind up being something of a timeshare between Siri and Tyrone Taylor in center field for the Mets this season, but it's been Taylor in center for each of the first two games. Siri was acquired from the Rays via trade back in November.

Valdez has a locker at LoanDepot Park ahead of the Pirates' game against the Marlins on Friday, Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Valdez has not been officially recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis at this point, but his presence could mean the Pirates expect Nick Gonzales (ankle) to miss time. The team should have official word on Valdez and Gonzales soon.

Hicks is starting at catcher and batting seventh in Friday's contest versus the Pirates.

After Nick Fortes got the call behind the plate in Thursday's opener, Hicks will do the catching Friday in what will be his major-league debut. The 25-year-old was the second pick in the Rule 5 draft over the offseason.

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

Fortes started Thursday's opener and in his last plate appearance was awarded a triple on a ball Oneil Cruz misplayed in center field. He'll begin the second game of the series on the bench as Liam Hicks makes his major-league debut.