MLB Player News

Duffy batted sixth in San Francisco's spring opener at AT&T Park on Thursday. Manager Bruce Bochy hinted that this could be his Opening Day lineup April 4, CSN Bay Area reports.

The spring training finale between the Athletics and the Giants is usually when manager Bruce Bochy showcases his starting lineup for the regular season. While he wouldn't guarantee that this is his the exact look the Giants will have come Opening Day, he did hint that it could offer a good preview. If that's the case, Duffy would be slotted lower in the lineup than originally expected. From a fantasy perspective, this could hurt his run-producing counting stats. However, hitting third in front of Buster Posey and Hunter Pence would have limited his stolen base opportunities, but being slotted lower in the lineup could lead to more steals, closer to his minor league totals of 25 in 2013 and 20 in 2014.

Suarez went 1-for-3 with a strikeout in Tuesday's exhibition game against the Brewers.

Suarez is hitting the ball very well in his 19 spring training games, .346/.424/.596, along with two home runs and 10 RBI. He's the likely candidate to take most of the starts at third base after the departure of Todd Frazier to the White Sox, and might also see some time at second base and shortstop.

Manager Chip Hale said Wednesday that he feels "comfortable" with Segura being the team's leadoff hitter, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Segura has been one of the hottest hitters in baseball this spring, going 29-for-55 (.527 average) with three homers, 11 RBI and five steals in eight attempts. He's only walked twice, though, after walking at just a 2.2 percent clip in his final year in Milwaukee. Regardless, the team thinks Segura has earned everyday at-bats, either at second base or shortstop, and it sounds like he will push A.J. Pollock (elbow) to the two-hole at least to begin the season.

Diamondbacks General Manager Dave Stewart said Tuesday he thinks Segura has "done enough to earn a spot every day," Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

Stewart did not say whether Segura would play at shortstop or second base, although the 26-year-old has only played short in his big league career. The Diamondbacks have a number of options to fill the infield, but it appears that Segura will get regular at-bats. He hit just .257 last year with a .281 on-base percentage, but he has recorded at least 20 steals in each of his three full big league seasons.

Asche re-injured his right oblique on a swing-and-miss during a minor league game Saturday, Ryan Lawrence of the Philly Voice reports.

Asche was already ticketed to start the year on the disabled list, but now might be sidelined into the month of May. The Phillies are expected to go with Tyler Goeddel and either Cedric Hunter or Wil Venable in left field while Asche is out.

LeMahieu may be used as the Rockies' No. 8 hitter to begin the season, with Charlie Blackmon and Trevor Story occupying the first two spots in the batting order, according to the Denver Post.

Rockies manager Walt Weiss used that configuration for his lineup in an "A" game over the weekend. Story's lack of experience as a big league player may lead to a quick hook from the No. 2 role if he struggles at the plate out of the gates, and LeMahieu's team-high .358 OBP a year ago would make him a candidate to quickly move up in the order if needed. Nevertheless, hitting eighth would put a damper on LeMahieu's ability to rack up a high runs scored total, as he won't have Carlos Gonzalez and Nolan Arenado hitting behind him if that arrangement holds up.

The Brewers informed Rivera on Tuesday that he has made the team's Opening Day roster, MLB.com's Adam McCalvy reports.

Rivera earned a spot on the active roster thanks to a sizzling spring that saw him post a .984 OPS. He will not start at any position, but he will be the Brewers' utility infielder, and can fill in at the three spots left of first base.

Rivera is 13-for-43 (.302) with four doubles, three home runs, and 10 RBI through 20 spring games.

Rivera is known more for his glove than his bat, but he has excelled at the plate this spring and has shown some pop in the process. He remains in contention for a utility spot on the Brewers' Opening Day roster.

Asche (oblique) will start the season on the disabled list, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Asche has missed every spring training game due to the injury, and it appears that the issue is bad enough that he'll need to start the season on the shelf. With this development, recently-acquired Will Venable, David Lough, and Cedric Hunter are the leaders to garner the final reserve outfielder spot on the Phillies 25-man roster.

Peterson will be the primary second baseman for Atlanta at the start of the season and will not be in a platoon, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Peterson got playing time around the infield this spring, but the Braves have decided to see if he can hold down the second base job. While Kelly Johnson and Gordon Beckham may get spot starts at second base, it looks like Peterson will be an everyday player initially.