MLB Player News

Walker is not in the lineup for Sunday's game at San Diego.

The Diamondbacks have struggled offensively to begin the season with only three runs through the first two games, and Walker has accounted for two of those runs by going 3-for-8 with a double and two RBI. Jake Lamb will start at first base Sunday, while Kevin Cron serves as the designated hitter.

Diaz went 1-for-2 with two walks in a win over the Blue Jays on Saturday.

The slugger was able to get his first hit of the season after going 0-for-4 in Friday's opener, and he drew another pair of free passes after notching one walk in the first game of the season. Diaz has displayed a good eye at the plate with double-digit walk rates in two of his first three big-league seasons, and if his injury-shortened 2019 campaign is any indication, he's ready to complement that patience with robust power numbers; Diaz slugged 35 extra-base hits (20 doubles, one triple, 14 home runs) over 79 games last season before belting two homers in the AL Wild Card Game. Additionally, Juan Toribio of MLB.com previously reported that the 28-year-old was one of the most impressive all-around players in summer camp, leading manager Kevin Cash to remark that Diaz "just gets out of bed and hits."

Cabrera got the start at third base Saturday and went 3-for-4 with a home run, a double, two runs scored and two RBI in a win over the Yankees.

The 34-year-old took Ben Heller deep in the seventh inning for his first homer of 2020. Carter Kieboom is limited to DH duties at the moment due to a slight groin issue, opening up the hot corner for Cabrera. He'll have some intriguing short-term value in shallower fantasy leagues and daily formats after posting a .969 OPS in 38 games for the Nats last season.

Cooper is not in Sunday's lineup against the Phillies.

He is 2-for-7 with a double, an RBI and two strikeouts through two games. Jonathan Villar will start at designated hitter while Magneuris Sierra starts in center field and Isan Diaz handles second base. Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports that two starting position players on the Marlins have tested positive for coronavirus, so Cooper could be one of the two since he is not in Sunday's lineup.

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.