MLB Player News

Schneider will start at second base and bat fifth in Friday's game against the Yankees.

It will be Schneider's first start at the keystone in the early going and just his third start overall. Cavan Biggio is on the bench against a right-hander for the first time. The 25-year-old Schneider has already cranked a pair of home runs in his first nine plate appearances this season.

Biggio is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Yankees, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Biggio is mired in a 3-for-17 slump to begin the season and will head to the bench for Friday's series opener in New York. Davis Schneider will take over at second base against Yankees righty Marcus Stroman.

Donovan (elbow) is expected to return to the lineup Saturday against the Marlins, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Donovan was dealing with bruising and lingering pain after being hit by pitches in the elbow and bicep early in the season. He sat Thursday as a result, but he isn't expected to miss further time.

McNeil isn't in the Mets' lineup for the second game of Thursday's doubleheader versus Detroit.

McNeil will take a seat after going 0-for-3 during the Mets' loss in Game 1, bringing his batting average down to .067 to begin the year. Joey Wendle will start instead at second base while batting ninth.

Hoerner went 0-for-2 but drew two walks and scored two runs in Wednesday's 9-8 victory over the Rockies.

Hoerner has been in the leadoff spot both times the Cubs have faced lefties this season, but he's been down in the seven hole against all opposing right-handers to date. While he has just two hits in 19 at-bats so far, he's drawn five walks while striking out only four times, which is an encouraging sign for his future production. The bigger concern for fantasy managers is that he has yet to attempt a stolen base through six games under new manager Craig Counsell. Hoerner attempted 50 steals last year under David Ross while batting exclusively first or second in the order.

Frazier isn't in the Royals' lineup for Thursday's game against the White Sox, Joel Goldberg of Bally Sports Kansas City reports.

Frazier will get a breather Thursday after going 0-for-6 during the Royals' last series versus Baltimore. Nick Loftin will take over for him at the keystone and bat eighth.

Massey (back) will begin a rehab assignment at Double-A Northwest Arkansas on Friday.

Massey has been sidelined since mid-March due to a lower-back strain, but his back has held up well during simulated games at the Royals' spring training complex, and he's now been cleared to resume action in a competitive setting. It's unclear how many games the Royals want the 26-year-old infielder to play in the minors, but a return to Kansas City doesn't seem far away.

Edwards is being held out of baseball activities while being treated for a bacterial infection in his left foot, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

It's not clear at this point when he might be cleared for baseball activities again. Edwards is eligible for activation from the injured list next week, but it seems unlikely that he will be ready at that time.

Donovan (elbow) won't be in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Marlins, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Donovan was hit twice by pitches during Wednesday's loss to San Diego and had to be removed from the game after taking a sinker off his right elbow. He has played in left field most often to begin the season, so Alec Burleson and Mike Siani will likely receive an increase in playing time while Donovan is out.

Garcia is absent from the lineup in Thursday's contest against the Pirates.

The Nationals are facing lefty Martin Perez, so the left-handed hitting Garcia will take a seat. Garcia has been on the bench both times the Nationals have gone up against southpaws, so it would appear he'll be in a fairly strict platoon with the switch-hitting Ildemaro Vargas at second base.