MLB Player News

Abreu went 2-for-5 with a run scored in Saturday's 10-3 win over the Twins.

Abreu has been the primary source of run production in Chicago's offense, but the lineup is more stacked in 2020. Of the 15 runs scored in the first two games, only one has been driven in by Abreu. He's 2-for-9 (two singles) with a run and an RBI over the first two games.

Walker started as the designated hitter and went 1-for-4 with a double and an RBI in Saturday's 5-1 loss to the Padres.

It was the second straight start at DH for Walker, who nursed a sore groin over the final week of summer camp. The Diamondbacks' offense was held to three runs over the first two games, but Walker has stood out. He's knocked in a run in each of the first two games and is 2-for-3 with runners in scoring position.

Votto went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in the Reds' 6-4 loss to the Tigers on Saturday.

Votto has a reputation as a slow starter, and he's coming off back-to-back seasons with home-run totals in the teens, but he's already got two long balls through two games. He homered off lefty Matthew Boyd on Opening Day. "I had a rough year against left-handers, really one of the few poor years against left-handers in my career," Votto told Mark Sheldon of MLB.com prior to Saturday's game. "I've said it before and I'll say it again, if I'm competitive in two-strike counts and I put the ball in play and if I'm competitive against left-handed pitchers, I'm going to have a very, very good year. So stay tuned."

Flores went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Saturday's 5-4 win over the Dodgers.

Flores went deep against Dodgers starter Alex Wood in the third inning. Through three games, Flores is 4-for-12 (.333) to start the year. The 28-year-old batted third after being in the two-hole for the first two contests. He's likely to get regular playing time in the infield, mostly at second and third base, at least until Evan Longoria (oblique) returns.

Gurriel went 1-for-2 with a solo home run and a walk and was also hit by a pitch in Saturday's 7-2 win over the Mariners.

Gurriel's solo shot off Mariners starter Taijuan Walker started a four-run rally in the fourth inning. The first baseman has maintained a batting average of at least .290 in each of the last three years.

France will start at first base and bat fifth Saturday against the Diamondbacks, Dennis Lin of The Athletic reports.

The 26-year-old was originally stationed on the bench for Saturday's contest, but he'll end up starting at first base with Eric Hosmer a late scratch with a non-COVID-19 illness. France served as the designated hitter Opening Day and went 1-for-4 in the victory.

Goldschmidt went 2-for-5 with a solo home run and two runs scored during Saturday's 9-1 win versus the Pirates.

The veteran slugger had a strong start to the season as he went 2-for-3 with a walk and two runs Friday, and he started the scoring with a 381-foot homer to left field during Friday's opening frame. Goldschmidt will look to keep things rolling Sunday against Pittsburgh starter Mitch Keller.

France isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Diamondbacks.

France is expected to start at designated hitter for most of the Padres' games against left-handers this year, but he'll sit Saturday against southpaw Robbie Ray. The 26-year-old went 1-for-4 on Friday, but Wil Myers will take over at designated hitter with Edward Olivares making his MLB debut in right field.

Goldschmidt went 2-for-3 with a walk and two runs in a win over the Pirates on Friday.

Teammates Dexter Fowler, Tyler O'Neill and Paul DeJong took care of the big hits for the Cardinals, but Goldschimdt was effective setting the table by getting on base thrice. The slugger will look to complement his impressive power numbers this season with a more consistent on-base presence in a manner akin to Friday, as his Cardinals debut campaign in 2019 featured his lowest batting average (.260) since his initial big-league cup of coffee in 2011.

Hoskins went 1-for-3 with a walk in Friday's Opening Day loss to the Marlins.

The generally unimpressive line was one of the best on the day for the Phillies, who managed just five hits and three walks over the course of the contest. It's perhaps significant that Hoskins hit second, a spot he occupied just 16 times last year while serving as the cleanup man on 127 occasions. Hoskins hasn't slugged over .500 since his debut back in 2017, but he's produced on-base percentages of .354 and .364 the past two seasons, so the move up the order makes some sense.