MLB Player News

Diaz went 3-for-4 with a solo home run and an additional RBI during Thursday's 8-2 loss to the Blue Jays.

Diaz accounted for both of the Rays runs scored, going yard off Jose Berrios to lead off the first inning and driving in Rene Pinto on a sixth-inning double. After slashing .330/.410/.522 with a career-high 22 homers in 600 plate appearances during 2023, Diaz is off to a strong start in 2024.

The Rangers placed Lowe (oblique) on the 10-day injured list Thursday.

Lowe will be eligible to come off the IL ahead of the Rangers' April 5 game against the Astros, but the team is expecting him to be ready to return from his right oblique strain around mid-to-late April, per MLB.com. Jared Walsh and Ezequiel Duran are expected to form a platoon at first base to begin the season until Lowe is ready to return.

Walsh is out of the lineup Thursday against the Cubs.

The Cubs will send southpaw Justin Steele to the mound to start their season, so the lefty-hitting Walsh will begin Opening Day in the dugout. Ezequiel Duran will instead start at first base and bat seventh.

The Rangers selected Walsh's contract from Triple-A Round Rock on Thursday.

Walsh was able to win a spot on Texas' Opening Day roster after putting up an .827 OPS with three home runs this spring. He's likely in line to see most of the at-bats at first base against right-handed pitching while Nathaniel Lowe (oblique) is on the shelf.

Horwitz was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo on Sunday.

The 26-year-old came into camp hoping to land a backup job at first base behind Vladimir Guerrero, but Horwitz batted only .125 (5-for-40) in Grapefruit League action, and the signings of Daniel Vogelbach and Joey Votto (ankle) cut off his path to the 26-man roster. Horwitz slashed .337/.450/.495 with 10 homers in 107 games for Buffalo last season, but he may need to add more power to his profile to get serious consideration for a regular job in the majors.

O'Hearn is absent from the lineup for Thursday's season opener versus the Angels.

The Angels are rolling out southpaw Patrick Sandoval, so Ryan Mountcastle will be at first base and Jordan Westburg will serve as the designated hitter. O'Hearn will be a regular against righties, either at first base or DH.

Sano will start at designated hitter and bat seventh in Thursday's season opener versus the Orioles.

Not only did Sano make the team after going to camp as a non-roster invitee, but he will be part of the batting order for Opening Day. The Angels could still ultimately rotate through multiple players in the DH spot, but Sano's power gives him some deep-league relevancy should he find regular playing time.

Kirilloff is out of the lineup for Thursday's season opener against the Royals.

The Twins are going with Manuel Margot at designated hitter as the Royals throw left-hander Cole Ragans. Kirilloff is in line to be the team's primary DH versus right-handed pitching.

Votto (ankle) will remain at the Blue Jays' spring training complex and go through a full build-up before beginning a minor-league assignment, Gregor Chisholm of the Toronto Star reports.

As the 40-year-old won't even begin that progression until his ankle is fully healed, he isn't expected to see MLB action for another month or more. That could put Votto in line to make his Toronto debut in May, but whether he gets added to the big-league roster when ready will depend on how Daniel Vogelbach performs over the first month of the season.

The Angels selected Sano's contract from Triple-A Salt Lake on Wednesday.

Just as manager Ron Washington indicated would be the case Tuesday, Sano was added to the Angels' 40-man and 26-man rosters ahead of Thursday's season opener versus the Orioles. Sano, who has four seasons of 25-plus home runs on his resume, didn't play at all in affiliated ball during the 2023 season but joined the Halos for spring training and popped four long balls over 54 at-bats in Cactus League play. However, Sano also struck out 20 times, and his boom-or-bust tendencies will likely result in him being limited to a bench role unless injuries open up an opportunity for regular playing time.