MLB Player News

Donovan went 4-for-4 with a double, two runs and an RBI in Monday's 8-3 win over Houston.

The Astros were unable to get Donovan out Monday, as he reached base in all four of his trips to the plate. It was the fourth time this season that the utility man has gotten at least three hits in a game, and he's off to a hot start with the bat, logging a .391/.420/.563 slash line through 69 plate appearances. Donovan is also in the midst of a 10-game hitting streak, during which he's batted a scorching .513 (20-for-39) with eight RBI.

Fitzgerald went 3-for-4 with a three-run homer, a triple, and two additional runs scored in Monday's 10-4 win against the Phillies.

Fitzgerald cracked his first homer of the season off Taijuan Walker in the second inning, hitting it 369 feet to left field. However, the 27-year-old wasn't done, as he returned in the seventh to rope his first triple of the year. Fitzgerald is the primary San Francisco second baseman and has opened with a solid .286/.333/.476 slash line across 47 plate appearances.

Baty is absent from the lineup for Monday's game in Minnesota.

The Twins have right-hander Joe Ryan on the hill in the series opener, but the left-handed hitting Baty will nonetheless begin the contest on the bench. Baty is just 5-for-36 with a 15:0 K:BB for the Mets this season. Luisangel Acuna will occupy second base and hit ninth.

Triolo (back) will report to Triple-A Indianapolis to begin a rehab assignment Tuesday, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

The 27-year-old infielder, who is recovering from a lumbar spine strain, has been cleared for game action in the minors after he was able to field grounders Monday without issue. Triolo is eligible to return from the 10-day injured list Wednesday, and while he appears unlikely to be activated on that day, he likely won't require much time beyond that before rejoining the Pirates.

Gorman will start at second base and bat seventh in Monday's game against the Astros.

The left-handed hitting Gorman is making his second straight start at the keystone and his first start this season versus a left-handed pitcher in Framber Valdez. The Cardinals are going with another left-handed hitter in Brendan Donovan at shortstop, while the right-handed hitting Thomas Saggese will begin the contest on the bench.

Saggese is out of the lineup for Monday's contest versus the Astros.

Saggese not starting against Phillies righty Zack Wheeler on Sunday was one thing, but him being out of the lineup versus lefty Framber Valdez on Monday is another. Brendan Donovan is receiving a second straight start at shortstop, while Nolan Gorman is making his second start in a row at second base and his first start this season against a southpaw.

Stott will start at second base and bat leadoff in Monday's game versus the Giants, Lochlahn March of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

It's the third straight game that Stott has been in the leadoff spot against a right-handed pitcher, as he's being rewarded for his .400 on-base percentage versus righties so far this season. Considering he had been mostly hitting eighth against right-handed pitching, it's a big boost to Stott's fantasy outlook if the change sticks.

Albies went 2-for-3 with a walk, an RBI and a stolen base in Sunday's loss to the Rays.

The second baseman only has two stolen bases on the season, but they came in back-to-back games this past weekend in Tampa Bay. Albies has hit safely in six straight games and eight of 10 to kick off April, batting .286 (12-for-42) so far this month with two doubles, two homers, five RBI and six runs.

Through 65 plate appearances with Triple-A Oklahoma City, Kim is slashing .293/.359/.603 with three home runs, seven doubles, a triple, 16 runs, 13 RBI and four stolen bases.

After signing Kim to a three-year, $12.5 million contract in early January, the Dodgers opted to have the Korean infielder begin his professional career in the minors. Kim has taken the assignment in stride, as he's collected at least one hit in 11 of his 14 contests with OKC so far. Kim isn't projected to be much of a power hitter in the majors, but he's defied that expectation of late, smashing three home runs -- including a 462-footer -- over his past three games. There was always a strong likelihood that Kim would see the majors this season, and his time could come relatively soon if he continues to succeed against minor-league pitching.

Cronenworth (ribs) could miss a month or more due to a non-displaced fracture in his ribs, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Cronenworth was plunked in the ribs by a pitch April 6, but he was in the lineup the following day and even hit a homer. The second baseman was pulled from the Padres' next game, however, and the team initially said Cronenworth experienced cramping in his ribs. However, a subsequent evaluation revealed a non-displaced fracture, and Cronenworth was consequently placed on the IL. Manager Mike Shildt wouldn't put a timeline on Cronenworth's return when asked about the injury, but Sanders notes that Lars Nootbaar missed about a month after suffering a similar injury last season and that a physician recommended 6-to-8 weeks off for Aaron Judge after the slugger was diagnosed with a non-displaced fracture in his ribs in 2020. Shildt did express some optimism about Cronenworth's outlook, saying "it's a matter of getting some of the fluids and the healing to take place, and then it's a matter of his functionality. And then hopefully it doesn't take too long. And then it's unlike a pitcher where he has to get ramped up as much we can. Get him some at bats and get him back on the field." That being said, it seems unlikely that Cronenworth will be ready to return when first eligible April 19.