MLB Player News
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Rowdy Tellez 1B | TEX
Mariners' Rowdy Tellez: On bench vs. lefty
Tellez is not in the Mariners' starting lineup against the Athletics on Friday.
Tellez will retreat to the dugout for the start of Friday's game as the Athletics send left-hander Jeffrey Springs to the mound. Donovan Solano will start at first base and bat in the seventh spot of the Mariners' batting order.
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Seth Brown LF | ATH
Athletics' Seth Brown: Starting in left field Friday
Brown is starting in left field and batting sixth in Friday's contest versus the Mariners.
After Miguel Andujar drew the start in left field for Thursday's opener, the Athletics are turning to Brown for the second game of the series. Brown is expected to operate predominately in a reserve role this season.
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Jonathan Aranda 1B | TB
Rays' Jonathan Aranda: On bench for Opening Day
Aranda is not in the lineup for Friday's opener against the Rockies.
The Rockies are sending left-hander Kyle Freeland to the bump, so it's not a surprise the lefty-hitting Aranda will begin the contest on the bench. He is a candidate to come in mid-game when the Rockies use a right-handed reliever, and the 26-year-old remains likely to start at first base or DH against most righties.
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Tyler Black 2B | MIL
Brewers' Tyler Black: Out 6-to-8 weeks with hand fracture
Black will be sidelined 6-to-8 weeks after suffering a fractured right hamate bone, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.
It's an injury that typically requires surgery and often results in a loss of power initially upon a return to action. In all likelihood, Black won't be an option for the Brewers until at least June. He managed just a .561 OPS during his time with the big club last season.
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Tyler Soderstrom C | ATH
Athletics' Tyler Soderstrom: Two homers in season opener
Soderstrom went 2-for-3 with two solo homers in Thursday's loss to the Mariners.
Soderstrom looks set to play every day at first base and may get some playing time behind the plate as the Athletics' third catcher. He's picking up where he left off last September, when he posted an .852 OPS with two homers in 12 contests after a wrist injury in early July forced him to miss two months.
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Christian Walker 1B | HOU
Astros' Christian Walker: First hit for Houston
Walker went 1-for-4 with a run scored in Thursday's game against the Mets.
Walker dealt with an oblique issue for most of spring training, but he was able to return for Opening Day. He was slotted into the cleanup spot and delivered a one-out single in the third inning to continue a key rally for the Astros. Walker should be a threat for 30 home runs while putting up strong counting stats in his first season in Houston.
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Bryce Eldridge 1B | SF
Giants' Bryce Eldridge: Playing, but affiliate uncertain
Eldridge (wrist) has resumed playing in games at the Giants' spring facility in Arizona, but the organization hasn't decided whether he'll begin the season at Triple-A Sacramento or Double-A Richmond, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
Eldridge missed some time in spring training with a sore left wrist, and while the fact that he's resumed playing in simulated games in camp suggests he's healthy again, the Giants still want to be cautious with the 20-year-old. As a result, the team may prefer to have the first baseman stockpile at-bats in a controlled setting for the time being. Eldridge saw action at four different minor-league levels in 2024, but the vast majority of his playing time came at Single-A San Jose and High-A Eugene, with whom he combined to hit 22 home runs over 444 plate appearances. He logged just 75 plate appearances in 17 games between Richmond and Sacramento.
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Wilmer Flores 1B | SF
Giants' Wilmer Flores: Homers in Opening Day start
Flores went 1-for-4 with a three-run home run in Thursday's 6-4 victory over the Reds.
Flores delivered the decisive blow in San Francisco's season-opening win with a three-run, go-ahead blast off Ian Gibaut in the top of the ninth inning. The 33-year-old was initially expected to fill the short side of a platoon this season, though he got the Opening Day nod at designated hitter after Jerar Encarnacion (hand) landed on the injured list. Flores should see regular playing time with Encarnacion expected to miss at least a month of action. Injuries limited the veteran Flores to 71 games last season, when he slashed .206/.277/.318 with four home runs and 25 RBI.
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Spencer Torkelson 1B | DET
Tigers' Spencer Torkelson: Impressive Opening Day performance
Torkelson went 1-for-1 with a solo home run and four walks Thursday against the Dodgers.
Torkelson had a strong spring and benefited from some injuries on the Detroit roster, a combination that set him up for regular at-bats to begin the season. He took advantage with his first opportunity as he put together solid plate appearances, the most productive of which was a solo home run in the fifth inning. Torkelson has consistently shown patience at the plate in his big-league career, and he should be able to take a step forward in production if he can tap into his raw power more consistently.
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Vinnie Pasquantino 1B | KC
Royals' Vinnie Pasquantino: Homers on Opening Day
Pasquantino went 2-for-4 with a double and a three-run homer in Thursday's loss against Cleveland.
Pasquantino suffered a Grade 1-plus right hamstring strain just five days ago, but he was able to start at DH on Thursday and started the scoring with a three-run shot during the third inning, He may not play first base for a few games, but his injury certainly didn't limit him at the plate Opening Day.