MLB Player News

The Cubs announced the starting lineup for Sunday's season opener against the Cardinals, with right fielder Jorge Soler slotted into the second spot of the lineup.

Soler spent most of his brief action in 2014 batting fourth or fifth, but he'll slot in between center fielder Dexter Fowler and first baseman Anthony Rizzo Sunday.

The full Cubs lineup Sunday: CF Fowler, RF Soler, 1B Rizzo, SS Starlin Castro, LF Chris Coghlan, 3B Mike Olt, C David Ross, SP Jon Lester, 2B Tommy La Stella.

Ross draws the start at catcher with former Red Sox teammate Lester on the mound. Manager Joe Maddon will bat the pitcher eighth, Olt and La Stella join Rizzo and Castro in the infield for the team's first game, with Arismendy Alcantara set to come off the bench.

Rockies right fielder Carlos Gonzalez will bat second against the Brewers on Opening Day Monday.

Gonzalez saw most of his at-bats in 2014 in the third and fourth slots. Just 99 of his 2,817 career at-bats have come in the second slot of the lineup.

The full Rockies lineup for Opening Day: CF Charlie Blackmon, RF Gonzalez, SS Troy Tulowitzki, 1B Justin Morneau, 3B Nolan Arenado, LF Corey Dickerson, C Nick Hundley, 2B DJ LeMahieu, SP Kyle Kendrick.

Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado was scratched from the lineup solely to take a breather, reports the Denver Post.

Arenado has played a lot this spring, batting .267 with five home runs and 15 RBI in 63 plate appearances. 

He finished last season with a batting average of .287 with 18 home runs and 61 RBI in 111 games played.

Giants infielder Matt Duffy is "at peace" with whatever the Giants decide to do with him after delivering an excellent performance this spring, MLB.com reports.

"I've done everything in my power," Duffy said Thursday. "I know it's not always an easy decision for them out of camp, so whatever happens, whatever it is, I can sleep at night knowing I've done everything I can to show them I can help them win games."

Duffy has hit .382/.424/.691 with three home runs and 15 RBI in 55 at-bats this spring.

"I don't know what else he could do," manager Bruce Bochy said. "There's nothing else. This series won't matter as far what happens to Matt Duffy. What a terrific spring this kid's had. Wherever we've put him, he's done a good job, and as far as swinging the bat. He done what you're hoping all these guys do, young players, force the issue. He certainly has done that."

Duffy is competing for a utility-infielder spot this spring.

Phillies third baseman Cody Asche revealed to reporters that he worked in Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt's hitting group throughout spring training, and has been able to apply what he learned during games, per the Philadelphia Inquirer.

"It was a lot of hitting stuff. We talked the game a lot," Asche said. "It's not like I can point out one thing. I think we both have respect for each other and willingness to learn from each other. I was glad I was able to pick his brain."

Asche is hitting .255/.280/.489 with two doubles, no home run and eight RBI over 47 Grapefruit League at-bats. He had gone four consecutive games with at least a hit before being held hitless against Tampa Bay on Thursday.

Brewers shortstop Jean Segura has worked all spring on his swing at the plate. With Opening Day on the horizon, Segura is putting the finishing touches on his swing and working to hit the ball to the opposite field, reports the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

"That's my approach," Segura said. "I always hit the ball to the other side of the field. When you lose that, you want to get it back because not many players can do it in the big leagues. I'm just lucky to have the ability to do that, and I'm just trying to improve every day."

Manager Ron Roenickes is taking notice of Segura's adjustments. 

"The sound of that ball is different," he said. "You're like 'Whoa.' I'm watching as he hits and the load is different. The hands work better. He's doing a couple of things really nice."

Nationals manager Matt Williams said Wednesday the third opinion on third baseman Anthony Rendon's injured left knee confirmed the first two opinions -- a sprained MCL.

Williams said Rendon will continue to rehab the injury, but delivered the bad news that Rendon will begin the season on the disabled list. Williams said Rendon has a week-to-week type of injury, and sources told CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman that Rendon could be back in three weeks.

General manager Mike Rizzo did not put a timetable on Rendon's return.

“It's positive news,” Rizzo told Heyman. “All three (doctors) agreed. There's nothing seriously wrong, and it should remedy itself. Some turn the corner quickly and with other guys it takes a few weeks. But he will be fine.”

Yunel Escobar is expected to fill in at third base during Rendon's absence, which means Danny Espinosa will likely replace Escobar at second base. Dan Uggla could also be an option, if he makes the Opening Day roster. Ryan Zimmerman is not expected to move back to third base with Rendon sidelined.

Mike Olt is expected to be the Cubs' starting third baseman on Opening Day for a second straight year with the demotion of Kris Bryant to the minors. Even with the potential for Chicago to bring Bryant to the majors quickly, Olt is feeling confident heading into the 2015 season.

"It feels a lot different," Olt said of this season versus last year, per MLB.com. "I was able to go up there last year and learned a lot of things. I feel I'm back to the player who can really compete instead of the player who you hope is ready and you hope the swing is there. It's a lot different feeling, a lot less stressful."

Olt is having a decent spring at the plate, batting .279 with a .392 on-base percentage, .558 slugging percentage and .950 OPS in 19 games. It's a nice turnaround after batting .160 in 89 games in the majors last season.

"I had two crazy years and a lot of things happened to me," said Olt of some injury issues. "Now I feel it's in the past, and I have a new outlook on baseball and a new outlook on my career. I used to be one of those [top prospects like Bryant] -- and you forget about that. I feel myself becoming that guy again, and it makes baseball fun again."

Brewers manager Ron Roenicke told reporters Tuesday's spring lineup against the Reds will be the team's Opening Day batting order, per the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Tuesday's lineup had center fielder Carlos Gomez batting first, and he was followed by catcher Jonathan Lucroy, right fielder Ryan Braun, third base Aramis Ramirez, first baseman Adam Lind, left fielder Khris Davis, second baseman Scooter Gennett and shortstop Jean Segura. The pitcher will bat ninth.

Roenicke said he chose Gomez to bat leadoff over Gennett because moving Gomez to the middle of the lineup disrupts other hitters.

Nationals manager Matt Williams told reporters that a second option on Anthony Rendon's left knee sprain confirmed the same diagnosis, per the team's official website. Rendon is expected to seek a third opinion from Dr. Steve Singleton in Colorado, per the Washington Post.

"We're just trying to make sure we cover all bases, and everybody gets a chance to take a look at it and develop a course of action from today on," Williams said. “So far, the two doctors that have seen him and reviewed it have said the same thing. We'll see what Dr. Singleton says today."

Rendon suffered the injury while making a diving play on March. He has been prescribed rest and appears destined to start the season on the disabled list. If he is unable to play, Yunel Escobar will fill in at third base.

“The fact that we just don't know what kind of time frame Anthony's on, we have to look at all of the options that we have. And the fact that [Escobar] is willing to (do it), he came to us and said: 'Listen, if there's a need for me to play third, I'd be happy to do it.' That's great. That's a great attitude to have. So we have options in that regard.” Williams said, per Comcast SportsNet Washington.