MLB Player News

Torkelson went 0-for-4 in Monday's 5-0 win over the Mets.

The season has just got started, so Torkelson's early struggles should be taken with a grain of salt. However, it is hard to ignore his 3-for-17 start to the year, a dreary line that's carried over from spring training. On a positive note, the 24-year-old has been making consistent contact, striking out just three times thus far. Torkelson went down on strikes 171 times in 684 plate appearances last year, and he should be able to build on a strong 2023 if he can dramatically lower that number while maintaining his power.

Casas went 2-for-4 with an RBI single and a double in Monday's 9-0 win over Oakland.

With Justin Turner now in Toronto, Casas should pick up more starts against lefty arms this season. The 24-year-old first baseman has yet to display his power upside with no home runs through five games this season, but Casas should have a chance to build off his 24-homer campaign in 2023 with the additional opportunities he projects to see.

Mountcastle went 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBI in Monday's win over the Royals.

Mountcastle crushed a two-run 408-foot home run off Michael Wacha in the fourth inning for his first of the season. The Orioles first baseman struggled in spring training with a .243/.256/.324 slash line and no homers, so this round-tripper was likely a welcome sight. Mountcastle will have to hit to keep his lineup spot in Baltimore with the bevy of young bats continuing to develop under general manager Mike Elias' watch.

Abreu (hand) will start at first base and bat sixth in Monday's game versus the Blue Jays, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Abreu was out of the lineup Sunday due to lingering soreness in his hand as a result of a hit-by-pitch Saturday, but he's feeling well enough to give it a go Monday. The veteran first baseman has yet to pick up a base hit this season.

Sano is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Marlins, Erica Weston of Bally Sports West reports.

Sano served as the Angels' designated hitter for the first two games of the season, but he went just 1-for-6 with four strikeouts between those contests and now finds himself on the bench for the second straight day. Given that he's signed to a modest one-year, $1 million deal and offers no defensive utility, Sano could soon find himself off the roster if he doesn't pick up the pace at the plate in the near future. For now, Sano looks like he'll be part of a committee at DH rather than a clear everyday player.

France went 2-for-4 in a loss to the Red Sox on Sunday.

The pair of singles still left France in search of his first extra-base hit of the new campaign, but they did extend his hitting streak to three games. France had implemented several tweaks to his mechanics at the plate this offseason, and they appeared to pay off during Cactus League play in the form of a .364 average and .897 OPS across 50 plate appearances.

Santana went 1-for-3 with a double in Sunday's loss at Kansas City. He's started all three games this season at first base and is 3-for-11 with a walk.

Santana may get more playing time with Royce Lewis out a month or more with a quad injury as Alex Kirilloff has been used in the outfield the last two games with Willi Castro playing more third base. Santana did not bat leadoff against a left-handed starter in the season opener but could still be an option to lead off against southpaws as had been talked about in spring training. Santana looks set to play against both right-handed and left-handed pitching at first base with an occasional game at DH, while Kirilloff primarily will be used at DH and in the outfield and sit against most lefties.

Naylor went 2-for-4 with a run batted in Sunday against the Athletics.

Naylor drove in Jose Ramirez in the eighth inning to tie the ballgame at 3-3, marking his first RBi of the 2024 season. In three appearances, Naylor is batting 5-for-12 (.417) with a pair of doubles and two runs scored while having struck out just once. With righty Emerson Hancock listed as the Mariners' expected starter, expect Naylor to be part of the Guardians lineup once again Monday.

Abreu is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Yankees due to hand soreness, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

The veteran first baseman will receive a day off after being hit by a pitch on the hand during Saturday's contest, though he's expected to be available off the bench Sunday. Abreu has gone 0-for-10 through the first three games of the season, so taking a day to reset regardless of the injury could prove beneficial.

Abreu is out of the lineup Sunday versus the Yankees.

Abreu battled soreness in his right knee throughout spring training. He was sidelined for more than a week due to the issue and was able to ramp back up a bit before Opening Day. In his first 12 plate appearances of the season, the 37-year-old has not recorded a hit, though he has gotten aboard twice. Jon Singleton will start for him at first base Sunday while batting sixth.