MLB Player News

Villar is starting at third base and batting sixth for the Giants in Monday's game versus the White Sox, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Villar was surprisingly held out of the lineup on Opening Day, but he's since started three straight at the hot corner so he does look to be the preferred option at the position. The 26-year-old is 2-for-10 with one run scored in his first three contests this season.

Donovan went 1-for-4 with a solo home run and an additional RBI in Sunday's 9-4 win over the Blue Jays.

Donovan started the game with a bang, depositing Chris Bassitt's first pitch of the game over the wall in right-center field. In the fourth inning, Donovan added a second RBI on a sacrifice fly. He's gone 5-for-14 with two homers, four RBI and five runs scored through three games so far. It appears the versatile 26-year-old will get a chance to be the primary second baseman to begin the year, and he's also hitting leadoff against right-handed pitchers.

Gorman went 2-for-4 with two homers, four RBI and two runs scored in Sunday's 9-4 win over the Blue Jays.

Gorman plated two runs in Saturday's win over Toronto and homered in the first and third innings during Sunday's matchup to help propel the Cardinals to their second consecutive victory. The 22-year-old has recorded hits in his first three games of the season, going 4-for-9 with two home runs, six RBI, two runs, four walks and two strikeouts.

Hoerner went 2-for-5 with a double, a run scored and a stolen base in Sunday's 9-5 loss to the Brewers.

Hoerner was just 1-for-8 through two games but got going Sunday, recording his first double and first stolen base of the young season. The infielder stole 20 bases last year and also hit 10 home runs. If he continues to develop more power and stays active on the bases, Hoerner could be in line for a strong fantasy campaign in 2023.

Vargas is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Manager Dave Roberts is opening up a spot in the outfield for Trayce Thompson for the second day in a row after Thompson slugged three home runs and drove in eight in Saturday's 10-1 win, resulting in Vargas being the odd man out of the lineup. Mookie Betts will move to the keystone to facilitate room for Thompson, while Vargas heads to the bench after going 2-for-5 with a double, seven walks and three runs through the Dodgers' first three contests.

Bae went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts Saturday against the Reds.

Bae's line was ugly, but Saturday's lineup made it clear that the Pirates are prioritizing playing him every day early on this season. With lefty Nick Lodolo on the mound for the Reds, Jack Suwinski sat while Bae shifted from second base -- where he started the first game of the campaign -- to center field. Though Bae is getting extra run for the time being, he'll need to perform without the handedness advantage to maintain playing time over Suwinski in the long term.

Gorman went 1-for-2 with two walks and two RBI in Saturday's 4-1 win over the Blue Jays.

Gorman delivered a two-run single in the third to stretch the Cardinals' lead to 3-0. He's started both games so far at designated hitter, but he hit fifth Saturday after batting seventh in the season opener. Gorman has gone 2-for-5 with four walks and two strikeouts through two games, an encouraging sign that he might improve slightly on his 9.0 percent walk rate and 32.9 percent strikeout rate from a season ago.

India went 1-for-3 with a walk, a solo home run and a stolen base in Saturday's 6-2 win over the Pirates.

India led off the home half of the first inning with his first long ball of the season to erase an early deficit. He struck out against Rich Hill in his second plate appearance but reached again in the fifth, setting up his first theft of the campaign. After injuries wrecked his 2022 season, India is 3-for-7 to start 2023 and seems determined to bounce back, which seems likely assuming better luck on the health front.

Wisely was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento on Saturday.

Wisely made the Opening Day roster but stuck around for just a single game. He appeared as a defensive replacement Thursday but now loses his spot to Bryce Johnson.

Kim will sit Saturday against the Rockies, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Kim started the first two games of the year at second base, going 4-for-7 with two doubles and a run scored. The Padres seemingly want to get everyone involved early, though, as Rougned Odor will start at the keystone Saturday.