MLB Player News

Hayes went 1-for-5 with a two-run homer and a walk during Thursday's win over the Cubs.

Hayes went deep five times during the shortened 2020 season, but he made his presence felt in his first at-bat of the season when he took Kyle Hendricks deep to put the Pirates up 2-0 in the first inning. Hayes' .682 slugging percentage last season certainly bodes well for him to become a legit power threat in Pittsburgh's lineup, though he's not expected to post those numbers over the course of a full season. Some regression is expected, but the power is real.

Senzel (shoulder) appears to have escaped serious injury, and the team is hopeful to have him back in the lineup this weekend, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Senzel exited Thursday's Opening Day contest after making a diving catch in the fourth inning. Manager David Bell said that the team wouldn't have a full picture of the injury's severity until Friday, but initial indications are that Senzel's absence will be short.

Senzel exited Thursday's game against the Cardinals due to a left shoulder injury, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Senzel suffered the injury while making an awkward diving catch in the top of the fourth inning and was replaced by a pinch hitter in the bottom of the frame. The severity of the issue isn't yet clear, but he'll be able to rest on the Reds' scheduled day off Friday.

Senzel was removed from Thursday's game against the Cardinals in the bottom of the fourth inning due to an apparent injury, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Senzel made a diving catch in the top of the fourth and appeared to be hindered after the play. He wasn't immediately removed from the game, but Tyler Naquin pinch hit for him in the bottom of the fourth. The nature and severity of the injury aren't yet known, and it's unclear whether the 25-year-old will be forced to miss additional time. Prior to his departure, Senzel went 0-for-1 with a strikeout.

Segura will start at second base and bat seventh Thursday against Atlanta, Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Segura never hit lower than sixth in 2020, but he looks like he'll spend more time in a bottom-third spot in the lineup this season with the Phillies preparing Alec Bohm to bat in the heart of the order on a full-time basis. The lower assignment in the lineup shouldn't be too punitive for Segura, who should remain a solid source of batting average and stolen bases, though he doesn't run nearly as frequently as he did earlier in his career.

McMahon isn't starting Thursday's game against the Dodgers.

McMahon is expected to see plenty of playing time at second base with Brendan Rodgers (hamstring) sidelined to begin the year, but he'll take a seat on Opening Day with left-hander Clayton Kershaw on the mound for the Dodgers. Chris Owings will play second base Thursday, batting seventh.

Vargas cleared waivers Wednesday and was outrighted to Triple-A Iowa, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Vargas was designated for assignment by the Cubs after missing out on a spot on the team's Opening Day roster. However, Chicago hoped to keep him in the organization, and he'll report to the team's alternate camp in South Bend to begin the season. The 29-year-old appeared in 17 Cactus League games this spring and slashed .324/.343/.471 with one home run and five RBI.

Sosa, who has secured a utility spot on the Opening Day roster, went 2-for-2 with a solo home run in a Grapefruit League tie with the Mets on Monday.

Sosa put together a positive finish to a quiet spring with his only multi-hit effort of Grapefruit League play as well as his only round-tripper of the exhibition slate. The 25-year-old hit just .200 (5-for-25) this spring, but his ability to cover multiple positions and his solid track minor-league track record at the plate likely helped him latch onto a roster spot to open the campaign.

Arenado, who hit a solo home run in his only plate appearance during a Grapefruit League tie with the Mets on Monday, finished spring hitting 4-for-8 with two doubles, the homer, a walk and two runs over his final three exhibitions.

Arenado's round tripper ensured the slugger didn't head into his first Cardinals campaign without going deep in spring play, and his overall body of work over the final three contests was encouraging, considering he was hitting just .184 prior to that stretch. Arenado has previously said he ideally needs at least 50 spring at-bats to get his timing down, and he finishes Grapefruit League play having slashed .239/.321/.370 over 53 plate appearances overall.

Hayes went 1-for-2 with his second home run of the spring Wednesday against Minnesota.

The 24-year-old closes out Grapefruit League action with a .431 batting average in 51 at-bats, including 10 extra-base hits, nine RBI and two stolen bases. Fantasy owners are expecting much from Hayes, who still retains his rookie status. He hit .376 in 85 at-bats last summer, thanks to a .450 BABIP. His minor-league career slash line of .279/.354/.399 seems like a more reasonable expectation for 2021.