MLB Player News

Gimenez went 2-for-3 with a walk, a two-run triple and an RBI single in Friday's 3-2 win over the Athletics on Friday.

Gimenez gave the Blue Jays their first runs of the 2026 season in the fifth inning, when outfield miscommunication between left fielder Tyler Soderstrom and center fielder Lawrence Butler resulted in a two-run triple. Gimenez followed that up with an walk-off RBI single in the ninth, which brought Kazuma Okamoto home to give Toronto the Opening Day victory in front of a home crowd. It's been a busy start to 2026 for Gimenez, who played a key role in Team Venezuela's triumph in the World Baseball Classic. He saw his slash line drop last year in what was his first campaign with the Blue Jays but will look to get back to the kind of form he had with the Guardians in 2022, when he recorded an .837 OPS with 20 steals, 17 homers and 69 RBI in 557 plate appearances.

Julien will start at designated hitter and bat eighth in Friday's opener in Miami.

The placement of Mickey Moniak (finger) on the 10-day injured list will free up some at-bats at DH and in the outfield for the Rockies. Julien will get the first crack at DH, though the spot is likely to be a revolving door. The 26-year-old was acquired from the Twins over the offseason.

Donovan went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and a double in Thursday's 6-4 loss to the Guardians.

Donovan got the Mariners offense going in his first regular-season at-bat with the team, as he led off the bottom of the first inning with a home run off Tanner Bibee, tying the game at 1-1. Donovan picked up where he left off in spring training, when he slashed .413/.491/.543 across 57 plate appearances. The 29-year-old is expected to open the year as Seattle's primary third baseman and leadoff batter.

Schneemann started in center field and went 1-for-2 with a run scored in Thursday's 6-4 win over Seattle.

Schneemann, a utility infielder that has added outfield to his resume since arriving in the majors in 2024, was a mildly surprising addition to the Opening Day lineup over Angel Martinez and prospect CJ Kayfus. Any of the three would have had a platoon advantage against Seattle righty Logan Gilbert, as Kayfus and Schneemann hit left-handed and Martinez is a switch hitter. A report from the National Daily indicates manager Stephen Vogt used Schneemann because of his experience and the matchup against the pitcher. However, Schneemann entered the game hitless over three career at-bats against Gilbert. Given the hot spring Martinez turned in and the fact that Steven Kwan saw time in center field often during spring training, Schneemann is not expected to be close to an everyday player there.

Gonzales went 2-for-4 with a double, two RBI and a run scored Thursday against the Mets.

Gonzales started at third base and hit eighth to begin the new season. He did his damage in a late rally for Pittsburgh in the ninth inning, as he doubled in two after splitting a pair of outfielders in right-center field. Gonzales should continue to play nearly every day at third base for the time being, though his outlook could change once Konnor Griffin is in the majors.

Wetherholt went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Thursday's 9-7 win over the Rays.

The top prospect made an immediate splash in his major-league debut, taking Rays right-hander Drew Rasmussen deep in the third inning. After making St. Louis' Opening Day roster this spring, Wetherholt is set up in a favorable lineup spot right away after batting leadoff Thursday, which should aid his run-scoring potential.

Tawa started at designated hitter and went 1-for-3 in Thursday's 8-2 loss to the Dodgers.

Tawa was a late addition to the starting lineup when Pavin Smith (elbow) was scratched leading up to first pitch. Smith's injury doesn't sound serious, but it could result in more playing time for Tawa in the short term.

Lowe went 2-for-4 with two home runs and three RBI in Thursday's 11-7 loss against the Mets.

Lowe made an immediate impact in his Pirates debut, launching a pair of homers in his first two at-bats: a two-run bomb in the first inning and solo shot in the third. It marked the ninth multi-homer game of the 31-year-old's career. If he can stay healthy, Lowe's power should be a key asset for Pittsburgh after he hit .256 with 31 home runs and 83 RBI last year with the Rays.

Hoerner and the Cubs agreed to terms on a six-year, $141 million contract extension Thursday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

Hoerner's extension further solidifies the Cubs' commitment to their current core after the club signed Pete Crow-Armstrong to a six-year deal Monday. Since becoming a regular starter for the Cubs in 2022, Hoerner has established himself as one of the premier second basemen in baseball while slashing .284/.339/.389 and averaging roughly 58 RBI, 83 runs scored and 31 stolen bases per season.

Marte (leg) will start at second base and bat leadoff in Thursday's season opener against the Dodgers.

Marte had to be scratched from the Diamondbacks' final exhibition contest due to lower-leg soreness earlier in the week, but the minor injury won't keep him from suiting up Opening Day. The switch hitter batted second against right-handers last season, but he'll get a turn in the leadoff spot versus righty Yoshinobu Yamamoto on Thursday.