MLB Player News

X-rays on Torres' right thumb came back negative Friday, Pete Caldera of The Bergen Record reports.

Torres took a pitch off his right thumb in the top of the seventh inning of Friday's contest and initially remained in the game to run around the bases. However, he requested to be removed during the bottom of the seventh due to concerns over his ability to throw the ball. It seems the 27-year-old second baseman was able to escape without any serious damage to his thumb, but he may still sit out a game or two to recover.

Torres was removed from Friday's game against the Astros after getting hit in the right hand by a pitch, Jorge Castillo of ESPN.com reports.

Torres initially remained in the game to run the bases, but his hand was clearly still bothering him while he was on the basepaths, and he was eventually replaced on defense by Jahmai Jones. The Yankees will surely take a closer look at Torres' hand in the clubhouse, and more details on his status should come after Friday's contest.

Rojas isn't in the Mariners' lineup Friday against Boston.

Rojas started at third base for the Mariners on Opening Day and went 1-for-2, but he will get a day off Friday. Luis Urias will cover the hot corner instead and bat ninth.

Biggio went 1-for-2 with a solo home run, two walks and an additional run scored during Thursday's win over Tampa Bay.

Biggio was excellent from the No. 9 spot Thursday, picking up his first long ball of the campaign in his second at-bat. The 29-year-old has hit better than .235 just once in his five-year career and has seen fewer than 340 plate appearances in four straight campaigns, but he could have the opportunity to exceed both of those marks in 2024 if he can build on the strong start.

Valdez is starting at second base and batting eighth for Thursday's season opener against the Mariners, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports.

With Vaughn Grissom (groin) on the 10-day IL, Valdez will get first crack at second base Thursday ahead of Pablo Reyes. In spring training, Valdez slashed .204/.264/.531 with four home runs and seven RBI over 49 at-bats.

Schneider is out of the lineup for Thursday's season opener against the Rays.

Schneider had a rough spring and appears poised to play mostly versus left-handers early in the season. The Blue Jays are going with Cavan Biggio at second base Thursday.

Biggio will start at second base and bat ninth in Thursday's season opener at Tampa Bay.

Biggio is likely to see the bulk of the at-bats at the keystone against right-handers, much to the chagrin of Davis Schneider's fantasy managers. He will also be an option at third base some days.

Ibanez will start at third base and bat leadoff in Thursday's season opener versus the White Sox.

Ibanez not only gets the nod over Gio Urshela at third base but also finds himself at the top of the batting order against left-hander Garrett Crochet. Parker Meadows -- who could be the favorite to bat leadoff versus righties -- is hitting ninth Thursday.

Rengifo isn't included in the lineup for Thursday's season opener in Baltimore.

With a .783 OPS to go with 16 home runs and six stolen bases in 445 plate appearances last season, Rengifo was one of the few bright spots for an 89-loss Angels squad. Despite that success, Rengifo doesn't look as though he'll handle an everyday role to begin the 2024 campaign, as Anthony Rendon and Brandon Drury will draw starts Thursday at third and second base, respectively, while Miguel Sano steps in at designated hitter against Baltimore right-hander Corbin Burnes. The switch-hitting Rengifo should still be a regular in the lineup versus lefties, but he may need to wait for an injury or a Sano slump before he gets steady playing time versus righties.

Westburg will serve as the Orioles' designated hitter and No. 6 batter in Thursday's season opener against the Angels.

The Orioles are going with Jorge Mateo at second base and Ramon Urias at third while Westburg slides into the DH spot versus lefty Patrick Sandoval. Westburg seems likely to play the field often when the opposition has a righty on the mound, with Ryan O'Hearn or Ryan Mountcastle serving as the DH those days.