MLB Player News
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Josh Donaldson 3B | MIL
Braves' Josh Donaldson: Serving as No. 2 hitter
Donaldson will start at third base and hit second Saturday against the Phillies.
Donaldson looks to have secured a regular spot as the No. 2 hitter against right-handed pitching, as he previously slotted into the two hole in Thursday's season opener. Coming off an injury-plagued campaign, the 33-year-old may be headed for more rest days compared to previous seasons, but Donaldson is well situated to score plenty of runs and produce useful power numbers.
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Evan Longoria 3B | ARI
Giants' Evan Longoria: Smacks first homer
Longoria went 1-for-3 with a walk and a solo home run in Friday's 4-1 loss to San Diego.
San Francisco's offense struggled yet again, but Longoria was able to provide fantasy owners with another useful line. If the 33-year-old can stay healthy, he has the potential to reach the 20-homer mark while batting in the heart of the Giants' lineup.
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Ryan McMahon 3B | NYY
Rockies' Ryan McMahon: On base three times against Marlins
McMahon went 1-for-2 with a double, two walks and a run scored in Friday's 6-1 win over the Marlins.
The 24-year-old is off to a quick start at the plate as he attempts to seize control of the starting second base job for the Rockies, getting on base in half his plate appearances through two games, Garrett Hampson will probably be heard from sooner or later, but if McMahon can go on a tear early, he could end the competition before it's really begun.
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Jean Segura 3B | CLE
Phillies' Jean Segura: Scores twice in Phillies debut
Segura went 2-for-4 with two infield singles and scored a pair of runs as the Phillies beat the Braves on Thursday.
As expected, Segura hit second in the order and found himself in the middle of a pair of rallies by the Phillies' revamped lineup. He led off the fourth inning with a single, using his speed to beat out a throw from shortstop Dansby Swanson, and was eventually driven in four batters later by Odubel Herrera. In the seventh inning, he reached first on a chopper to pitcher Luke Jackson and was driven in by Rhys Hoskins' grand slam.
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Evan Longoria 3B | ARI
Giants' Evan Longoria: Collects two hits
Longoria went 2-for-4 in Thursday's 2-0 loss to the Padres.
Longoria provided two of the Giants' five hits in a forgettable offensive performance on Opening Day. The veteran third baseman was slotted third in the order against the left-handed Eric Lauer. San Francisco may not face a righty until Sunday, but Longoria figures to hit in the heart of the order regardless of matchups. The 33-year-old saw his production decline further in 2018 (.244/.281/.413), but he can still provide decent pop and RBI potential.
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Max Muncy 3B | LAD
Dodgers' Max Muncy: Homers on Opening Day
Muncy went 1-for-4 with a solo home run and two RBI in the Dodgers' 12-5 Opening Day win over the Diamondbacks.
Muncy had a slow spring training, but he was able to get his regular season off on the right foot, cranking a seventh-inning solo blast off Matt Koch. The 28-year-old burst onto the scene last year with 35 long balls and a sterling .973 OPS over 395 at-bats, so he's off to a good start as he tries to show he's maintained his power-hitting ways heading into 2019.
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Mike Moustakas 3B | CHW
Brewers' Mike Moustakas: Homers in season opener
Moustakas went 1-for-3 with a solo home run Thursday against the Cardinals.
Moustakas plated Milwaukee's first run of the 2019 campaign in the second inning on a solo homer to dead center. He started at second base and stepped into the No. 6 spot in the batting order Thursday, which figures to be where he'll sit for the majority of the year amongst a stacked lineup featuring the reigning National League MVP, Christian Yelich.
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Ildemaro Vargas 1B | ARI
Diamondbacks' Ildemaro Vargas: Recalled from minors
Vargas was recalled from Triple-A Reno on Thursday.
As expected, Vargas will break camp with the Diamondbacks after it was announced that Steven Souza (knee) would require season-ending surgery. The 27-year-old, who owns a .250/.273/.375 triple-slash across 33 PA and 26 games over parts of two big-league seasons, will likely fill a utility role for the big club.
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Ryan McMahon 3B | NYY
Rockies' Ryan McMahon: Starting Opening Day
McMahon will start at second base and bat seventh Thursday against the Marlins, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.
Garrett Hampson was the presumptive favorite at second base entering camp, but McMahon wrestled the primary job away by slashing .424/.470/.763 during the exhibition slate. McMahon could start all four games in the series with three other right-handers (Trevor Richards, Pablo Lopez, Sandy Alcantara) set to follow Jose Urena for Miami.