MLB Player News

First-year Rays manager Kevin Cash opted to bat Asdrubal Cabrera -- who is also in his first year with Tampa Bay -- third in Monday's season opener against Orioles right-hander pitcher Chris Tillman. Cabrera is batting .333 (3 for 9) with one double and four RBI in his career against Tillman.

Cabrera entered play Monday batting .276 with a .350 on-base percentage, .436 slugging percentage, .786 OPS, 20 home runs, 50 doubles and 101 RBI in 185 games batting third.

The White Sox posted their Opening Day lineup for Monday against the Royals. 

The Sox will start: Adam Eaton CF, Melky Cabrera LF, Jose Abreu 1B, Adam LaRoche DH, Leury Garcia RF, Conor Gillaspie 3B, Alexei Ramirez SS. Tyler Flowers C, Micah Johnson 2B. Jeff Samardzija will be the starting pitcher.

White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu only had one home run during spring training, but he's not concerned about the lack of power. 

That may have something to do with the fact that his batting average during spring games was .508. 

"I am feeling good," Abreu said, per ESPN. "Obviously, I'm a little anxious also because I want to hit home runs as well. But if God is saving that for the season, it's good for me. I'm just trying to get ready for the season and do my job."

Rays manager Kevin Cash told reporters that his lineup against the Tigers on Saturday, will be the same he uses on Opening Day, and against right-handed pitchers, according to the Tampa Bay Times.

The club will roll with John Jaso, Steven Souza, Asdrubal Cabrera, Evan Longoria, James Loney, Desmond Jennings, Logan Forsythe, Rene Rivera and Kevin Kiermaier.

Against left-handed pitchers, Cash told reporters he will use Brandon Guyer at the leadoff spot, Jennings and Loney will flip spots in the order, Forsythe will serve as a designated hitter and Tim Beckham will be at second base, per the Tampa Tribune.

Astros manager A.J. Hinch told reporters that Chris Carter will be the team's primary first baseman to start the season, according to the Houston Chronicle.

Carter played 14 of his 145 games at first base last season. The 28-year-old slashed .227/.308/.491 with career-best 37 homers and 88 RBI over 507 at-bats last season. He has a .257 batting average with two home runs and 10 RBI this spring.

White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu went a perfect 4 for 4 at the plate Tuesday with two doubles and one RBI against the Dodgers.

Abreu is now hitting .519 during spring training in 51 at-bats. 

White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu was not in the lineup for a second straight game Monday, but general manager Rick Hahn said that there are no health issues with the first baseman, ESPNChicago.com reports.

"Everything's fine,” Hahn said. "There's no health issue whatsoever."

Abreu was scheduled to take a personal day Tuesday but had the off-day moved up to Monday. He has hit .479/.490/.625 with one home run in 48 at-bats.

Angels otufielder Kole Calhoun returned to the lineup Saturday but was 0 for 3 at the plate, making him 1 for 12 in his last five games.

Calhoun was held out of Friday's lineup due to a triceps injury suffered the previous day. He has hit .273/.333/.295 in 44 spring at-bats.

Angels outfielder Kole Calhoun was not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Diamondbacks, according to the Los Angeles Times. Calhoun was removed from Thursday's game in the second inning because of a right triceps contusion. He is 12 for 41 with one double and three walks in Cactus League play.

Angels outfielder Kole Calhoun came out of Thursday's spring matchup in the Cubs in the second inning due to a right triceps contusion, the team announced.

Calhoun was hit in his right shoulder while leading off the game and slid hard into second base on a double play in the first inning. He played the bottom of the first inning in right field but did not return to the field for the second inning. Manger Mike Scioscia said after the game that the outfielder was removed as a precaution and the injury isn't expected to be serious, MLB.com reports.

Calhoun is 12 for 41 with one double and three walks this spring.