MLB Player News
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Xavier Edwards 2B | MIA
Marlins' Xavier Edwards: Moves to injured list
The Marlins placed Edwards on the 10-day injured list Thursday with a left foot infection.
The 24-year-old dealt with some foot inflammation in mid-March and was initially expected back in the lineup within a few days, but he's since been diagnosed with an infection. According to MLB.com, Edwards was able to hit on the back fields of camp at the tail end of spring training, so he could be ready to head out on a minor-league rehab assignment soon.
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Cavan Biggio RF | HOU
Blue Jays' Cavan Biggio: Handling second base in opener
Biggio will start at second base and bat ninth in Thursday's season opener at Tampa Bay.
Biggio is likely to see the bulk of the at-bats at the keystone against right-handers, much to the chagrin of Davis Schneider's fantasy managers. He will also be an option at third base some days.
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Andy Ibanez 2B | NYM
Tigers' Andy Ibanez: Hitting leadoff in opener
Ibanez will start at third base and bat leadoff in Thursday's season opener versus the White Sox.
Ibanez not only gets the nod over Gio Urshela at third base but also finds himself at the top of the batting order against left-hander Garrett Crochet. Parker Meadows -- who could be the favorite to bat leadoff versus righties -- is hitting ninth Thursday.
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Luis Rengifo 3B | SD
Angels' Luis Rengifo: Missing from Opening Day lineup
Rengifo isn't included in the lineup for Thursday's season opener in Baltimore.
With a .783 OPS to go with 16 home runs and six stolen bases in 445 plate appearances last season, Rengifo was one of the few bright spots for an 89-loss Angels squad. Despite that success, Rengifo doesn't look as though he'll handle an everyday role to begin the 2024 campaign, as Anthony Rendon and Brandon Drury will draw starts Thursday at third and second base, respectively, while Miguel Sano steps in at designated hitter against Baltimore right-hander Corbin Burnes. The switch-hitting Rengifo should still be a regular in the lineup versus lefties, but he may need to wait for an injury or a Sano slump before he gets steady playing time versus righties.
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Jordan Westburg 2B | BAL
Orioles' Jordan Westburg: Starting at DH on Opening Day
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.
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Niko Goodrum 2B | SD
Rays' Niko Goodrum: Added to 40-man roster and optioned
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.
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Edouard Julien 2B | COL
Twins' Edouard Julien: On bench versus lefty
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.
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Michael Massey 2B | KC
Royals' Michael Massey: Heads to IL
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.