MLB Player News

Westburg will serve as the Orioles' designated hitter and No. 6 batter in Thursday's season opener against the Angels.

The Orioles are going with Jorge Mateo at second base and Ramon Urias at third while Westburg slides into the DH spot versus lefty Patrick Sandoval. Westburg seems likely to play the field often when the opposition has a righty on the mound, with Ryan O'Hearn or Ryan Mountcastle serving as the DH those days.

The Rays selected Goodrum's contract and optioned him to Triple-A Durham on Thursday.

Goodrum will get a spot on the Rays' 40-man roster after he was acquired from the Twins on Wednesday, but he won't be part of Tampa Bay's 26-man active roster for Thursday's season opener versus Toronto. The 32-year-old journeyman utility player has prior experience at every infield and outfield spot, so he should be a prime candidate for a call-up if the Rays' injury concerns continue to mount. Tampa Bay will open the season with five position players on the 10-day injured list.

The Angels placed Stefanic (quadricep) on the 10-day injured list Thursday.

Stefanic initially strained his left quad in late February and suffered a setback last week. It's not clear at this point how long the utility infielder might be sidelined.

Julien is out of the lineup for Thursday's season opener in Kansas City.

The Royals are throwing left-hander Cole Ragans, so Julien will yield to the right-handed hitting Kyle Farmer at second base. While it might not be a strict platoon at the keystone, Julien seems likely to be on the bench at least against tougher southpaws like Ragans.

The Royals placed Massey on the 10-day injured list Thursday with a low-back strain.

Massey experienced lower-back tightness a little over a week ago and hadn't played in any Cactus League games since March 16, so his move to the IL to begin the season was fully expected. Per MLB.com, Massey has been limited to playing light catch since the injury cropped up, but the Royals still aren't anticipating his stay on the IL to be a lengthy one. He'll remain behind at the Royals' spring facility in Arizona to continue ramping back up and will first be eligible for activation April 4, though it may be a stretch for him to make it back by that date.

Park has been informed he will start the season at Triple-A Las Vegas, although the transaction has yet to be made official, Athletics team reporter Jessica Kleinschmidt relays.

Kleinschmidt adds that the move, when it does occur, won't be related to performance, but rather, a factor of Opening Day roster construction. The offseason addition swung a blistering bat all spring, and given the typically hitter-friendly conditions of the Pacific Coast League, Park could well put together a favorable enough body of work in the minors to earn a quick promotion to the big-league club.

Vivas was diagnosed with a left orbital fracture after suffering a facial injury Monday and is considered out indefinitely, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Vivas has since been discharged from the hospital, but he appears likely to open the 2024 campaign on Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre's 7-day injured list. Acquired from the Dodgers in December, Vivas is coming off a 2023 campaign in which he slashed .269/.381/.407 with 13 home runs and 25 stolen bases in 135 games between stops at Triple-A Oklahoma City and Double-A Tulsa.

Manager Aaron Boone said Torres will serve as the Yankees' leadoff hitter in Thursday's season opener against the Astros, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

The Yankees are facing a southpaw (Framber Valdez) in the season opener, but Torres looks like he could be the team's top choice to set the table against both left- and right-handed pitching to begin the season while DJ LeMahieu (wrist) is on the shelf. The leadoff assignment is a nice little boost for Torres' fantasy prospects, even if it might be a relatively short run atop the lineup. He had a terrific spring, sporting a 1.078 OPS with three home runs and two stolen bases.

The Cardinals optioned Fermin to Triple-A Memphis on Wednesday, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Fermin was the team's final roster cut ahead of Opening Day. The 24-year-old should be used as a utility infielder at Memphis.

Brewers manager Pat Murphy said in an interview Wednesday with 97.3 The Game Milwaukee that Dunn is in line to make the Opening Day roster.

Dunn was sent to minor-league camp earlier this month, but he looks as though he'll be summoned to the majors to take over the active roster spot of Garrett Mitchell (finger), who will open the season on the injured list. The 26-year-old hit .282/.404/.487 this spring and can play second base, third base, shortstop and left field. Dunn would be making his major-league debut when he gets into a game.