MLB Player News

Vargas entered Friday's game as a pinch hitter for Jake Lamb and remained in the game at first base. He struck out in his only plate appearance.

Vargas was one of the Diamondbacks' best hitters during summer camp, and manager Torey Lovullo vowed to find ways to get his bat in the lineup. The switch-hitting utility infielder could be a primary pinch hitter for Arizona in addition to spelling all infielders on random days.

Muncy went 3-for-4 with a pair of home runs, a double, a walk and three runs scored during Friday's win over the Giants.

Muncy got the scoring started with a solo home run off Tyler Anderson in the first inning, then added his second long ball of the night with another solo shot in the sixth. He also doubled and scored in the fourth and walked in the second. The two-homer night was Muncy's first since a June 27, 2019 contest at Colorado. The 29-year-old produced 35 homers for the Dodgers a season ago.

Moncada went 3-for-5 with a three-run home run and a double in Friday's loss to Minnesota.

Moncada set up Chicago's initial run with a first-inning double and knotted the score in the second frame with a three-run homer off Minnesota ace Jose Berrios. Moncada missed most of summer camp after testing positive for COVID-19, but the time away appears to have done little to slow his momentum following a breakout 2019 season.

Ramirez went 1-for-3 with a double during Friday's 2-0 win over the Royals.

Ramirez is coming off a sub-par season in which he hit for .255 with a .806 OPS -- those were his lowest numbers in both categories since the start of the 2016 season. He seems primed for a bounce-back campaign in 2020 and got off to a strong start in the season debut.

Moustakas went 3-for-4 with a home run and four RBI in the Reds' 7-1 win over the Tigers on Friday.

Moustakas drove in a run in his very first plate appearance (on a hit-by-pitch) and later put one "out in Adam Dunn territory," as the Reds' broadcasters put it, for his first home run in a Reds uniform. Moustakas also made a couple very nice plays at second base. Batting fifth in this lineup is an extremely advantageous spot for run production and he should be in that spot nearly every day.

Rendon (oblique) took swings and played catch Friday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Rendon wasn't ready for Friday's Opening Day matchup against the Athletics, but he was able to get some on-field work in and remains day-to-day. Manager Joe Maddon said Friday that Rendon is progressing in his recovery. The 30-year-old didn't appear in any of the Angels' exhibition games while battling oblique tightness.

Rendon (oblique) isn't in the lineup for Friday's season opener against the Athletics.

As expected, Rendon won't be part of the starting nine for the Angels' Opening Day matchup as he continues to deal with oblique tightness. He avoided the injured list to begin the season, but it's unclear when he'll be ready to rejoin the starting nine. David Fletcher will start at third base in Rendon's absence, leading off.

Senzel is a lot more comfortable in center field after playing there for the first time last season, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports. "I was thrown into the fire last year. I was just learning the position on the fly and during major-league games and making adjustments," Senzel said. "I didn't really have any knowledge of the position, because I'd never played in the outfield. After spending a full year in the big leagues and an offseason and a spring training and then quarantine and then this, getting prepared for my second season, I'm leaps and bounds more comfortable than I was last year."

Senzel also reported that he lost significant weight during the shutdown -- approximately 20 pounds -- in order to be faster on the basepaths and in the field. That could translate into more stolen bases on a pro-rated basis should he stay healthy this season.

Segura (hand) will bat sixth and play third base in Friday's season opener against the Marlins.

There was at least some minor concern regarding Segura's readiness late in camp after he was hit by a pitch and left Monday's exhibition game against the Yankees. He's evidently been cleared to play and should fill close to an everyday role at the start of the season, though he'll need to hit better than his .280/.323/.420 slash line (good for just a 92 wRC+) from his Phillies' debut last year if he's to remain an everyday player now that the arrival of Didi Gregorius has bumped him to third base. Highly rated prospect Alec Bohm stands ready to claim at-bats at an infield corner at some point this season, which could force Segura to compete for time elsewhere.

Sosa was named to the Cardinals' Opening Day roster Thursday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Brad Miller's ankle and heel injuries have worked to Sosa's benefit, as it vaulted the latter onto the expanded Opening Day roster. However, Sosa earned the job on his own merits as well, as he made a strong impression throughout spring training and summer camp with respect to his defensive versatility and contact rate at the plate. Sosa has experience filling in at second base, third base and shortstop, with his most extensive experience coming at the latter position.