MLB Player News

Sanchez has been working to get back to the swing he had earlier in his career, rather than the one he was using last season with the Marlins and Astros, Mitch Bannon of The Athletic reports.

The 28-year-old initially hit the big leagues in 2020 with a more upright stance, but over the years Sanchez's bat became parallel to the ground and he adopted a bit of a crouch. Blue Jays hitting coach David Popkins has helped him return to more natural, comfortable mechanics at the plate, and the early results have been very positive -- Sanchez has gone 6-for-16 over his first five games with Toronto with a homer, four RBI and a 2:2 BB:K. Sanchez also got his first start of the year against a left-handed pitcher Wednesday as he tries to break out of a strict platoon role. He's never slugged more than 18 homers in a season or posted an OPS over .777 in anything close to a full campaign (he managed an .808 OPS in 64 games for Miami in 2021), but the Jays believe Sanchez has more offense to unlock.

Durbin went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts in Wednesday's 6-4 loss to Houston.

Durbin is one of many Red Sox hitters to have stumbled out of the gate. Following a fifth consecutive hitless performance, Boston's primary third baseman is 0-for-18 with five strikeouts and one walk.

Abreu went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Wednesday's 6-4 loss to the Astros.

Abreu belted his third home run of the season in the eighth inning. While his teammates are struggling, Abreu has stood out as the team's best weapon at the plate. He's hit safely in five of six games, with multiple hits in four of them, and is 10-for-24 (.417) with three doubles, three home runs and six RBI.

Tawa started in left field and went 1-for-3 with a double in Wednesday's 1-0 win over Detroit.

Arizona manager Torey Lovullo loaded up the lineup with righties against tough Detroit lefty Tarik Skubal. Alek Thomas was on the bench while Jordan Lawlar (center field) and Tawa were in the outfield. Tawa wears many gloves on the diamond and will toggle between infield and outfield for the Diamondbacks. Wednesday was his second start of the season and first in the outfield. He also served as the DH on Opening Day when Pavin Smith (elbow) was scratched.

Fernandez started at first base and went 0-for-3 in Wednesday's 1-0 win over the Tigers.

Fresh off a boffo MLB debut Tuesday, when Fernandez homered twice, the infielder was in the lineup at first base Wednesday. Fernandez played a handful of games at first base over the last two seasons in the minors but primarily lined up at shortstop and third base. With Pavin Smith (elbow) on the 10-day injured list, there are at-bats available for Fernandez.

Winn was involved in a single-car accident in St. Louis on Wednesday but did not suffer serious injuries, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

The Cardinals released a statement saying Winn's accident was caused by wet pavement. He was examined at a nearby hospital before being sent home. The incident occurred shortly after Winn delivered a walk-off RBI single in the Cardinals' extra-innings win over the Mets. St. Louis is idle Thursday before opening a road trip in Detroit on Friday. The club will re-evaluate Winn prior to Friday's contest before determining his availability. It's been a rough start to the season offensively for Winn, who is 4-for-25 with one stolen base and a 2:5 BB:K in his first 27 plate appearances.

Seager went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Wednesday's 8-3 loss to the Orioles.

Seager's eighth-inning shot, which traveled 422 feet to right center, was his second homer in as many days and and third of the season. He's also walked five times (.429 OBP) and reached base safely in all six games played.

Jung went 2-for-4 with an RBI in Wednesday's 8-3 loss to Baltimore.

Jung, who returned to the lineup after a getting a day off Tuesday, logged his first hits of the season and drove in his first run. He was hitless over his first 18 at-bats before a run-scoring single in the fourth inning. Tuesday's rest day may have been the ticket for Jung, who registered three hard-hit batted-ball events, per Statcast.

Smith allowed one run on one hit over one inning in Wednesday's 4-1 win over the Dodgers.

Smith entered a non-save situation -- Cleveland was leading 4-0 at the time -- and was touched for a solo home run by Freddie Freeman. It was the first homer allowed by the Guardians' closer, who has now given up runs in three consecutive outings, including a blown save last Saturday.

Valera (calf) started in right field for Triple-A Columbus on Wednesday and went 0-for-4 with a walk.

Valera had been scheduled to begin a rehab assignment Tuesday, but it was pushed back a day. He last appeared in a game for the Guardians during spring training on March 9 and likely will need a few more plate appearances while on rehab. Once ready to go, Valera is expected to rejoin the Guardians.