MLB Player News

Marte went 2-for-5 with a two-run home run and a double in a loss to the Padres on Friday.

Marte supplied both of the Diamondbacks' runs in the loss, taking Craig Stammen deep for a two-run blast in the seventh inning. Through two games, the center fielder has collected six hits in 10 at-bats, going deep twice and driving in three.

Hernandez batted leadoff and went 1-for-4 in Friday's 3-0 loss to the Orioles.

Hernandez opened the bottom half of the first inning with a line-drive single to right, building off the momentum generated during spring training when he slashed .327/.450/.592. However, the momentum died there when Hernandez was picked off first base with one out. His was one of only two Boston hits on the day.

Lowe went 1-for-3 with a double and a walk in Thursday's season-opening win over the Marlins.

Lowe's two-bagger off Marlins starter Sandy Alcantara was the only other extra-base hit of the day for the Rays besides Austin Meadows' solo home run. The relatively productive afternoon at the plate to open the season was an encouraging sight, considering Lowe hit just .179 (7-for-39) and struck out 14 times in Grapefruit League play.

Kim will sit Friday against the Diamondbacks, just as he did in Thursday's season opener.

The Padres gave Kim $28 million in December, suggesting that they saw him as capable of playing a fairly important role at the MLB level. So far, he's found himself on the bench both against lefty Madison Bumgarner and righty Merrill Kelly, a pitcher he squared off against for four seasons in Korea. Kim was expected to battle for at-bats as a utility man with Jake Cronenworth and Jurickson Profar, but the Padres will trot out Cronenworth at second base and Profar in left field in both of their first two games. Kim will surely find himself in the lineup eventually, but it doesn't look like he's in line for a significant role right out of the gate.

India went 2-for-4 with a double and a strikeout in a loss to the Cardinals on Thursday.

The 24-year-old forced his way onto the Opening Day roster with a stellar spring and got the nod at second base in his MLB debut, forcing Mike Moustakas to third and Eugenio Suarez to shortstop. Suarez at short seems doomed to fail, but the Reds appear intent on getting India playing time. The fifth overall pick in 2018 has some speed to go with a little pop, which puts him in the mix as an injury-replacement option in mixed leagues.

Marte went 4-for-5 with a double, a solo home run and a second run scored in Thursday's 8-7 loss to San Diego.

Marte, who started in center field and batted second, mashed during spring training and kept it going Opening Day. He posted a 1.181 OPS in Cactus League play, with 10 of his 14 spring hits going for extra bases. Center field may be his primary home in 2021 after he played mostly at second base in 2020.

Rojas filled in for Nick Ahmed (knee) at shortstop and went 0-for-5 in Thursday's 8-7 loss to the Padres.

Rojas is coming off a productive spring and is expected to see a lot of time at second base when Ahmed is healthy. Manager Torey Lovullo left open the possibility that Ahmed plays Friday but sounded far from certain, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

Merrifield went 3-for-5 with a solo home run, two RBI and two runs scored during Thursday's Opening Day win over the Rangers.

Merrifield made his at-bats count and kept Kansas City's lead alive with a solo home run against Kolby Allard in the eighth inning. It looks like the 32-year-old is set for another season as a reliable fantasy producer in every category.

Frazier went 2-for-4 with a double, two RBI, two walks and a run scored during Thursday's win over the Cubs.

Frazier created havoc at the top of the order, reaching base in four of his six trips to the dish. He posted impressive numbers during spring training, slashing .488/.511/.860 in 45 plate appearances, and he's expected to serve as the Pirates' leadoff hitter against right-handed pitching.

Arraez went 2-for-5 with an RBI and a walk during Thursday's extra-inning loss against the Brewers.

Arraez is expected to work as Minnesota's leadoff hitter in most games this season, and he certainly lived up to the role in the opener, reaching base in three of his six plate appearances. He's posted an on-base percentage north of .360 in each of his first two big-league seasons, so Arraez is a solid fit for the role despite his lack of speed.