MLB Player News

Alvarez will bat seventh out of the DH spot for Thursday's game against the Twins.

Alvarez officially earned a spot on the Opening Day roster and will likely serve as the team's designated hitter until Mark Trumbo returns from a quadriceps injury. The 31-year-old may not remain with the major-league team once Trumbo is activated from the 10-day DL, so this first week may be important in Alvarez's bid to stick around longer than expected.

Anderson will start at third base and bat fifth in Thursday's season opener against the Cubs, Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald reports.

It became apparent Anderson would break camp as the Marlins' primary third baseman once Martin Prado (knee) incurred a setback in mid-March that ultimately resulted in the veteran opening the season on the disabled list. Prado is tentatively in line to rejoin the Marlins around mid-April, but his ability to play the corner outfield could allow Anderson to hang on to an everyday role if the 24-year-old's performance warrants it. Anderson doesn't offer much power from the corner infield, but he displayed a solid hit tool throughout his minor-league career and during his brief time with the Marlins last season, which could allow him to maintain a serviceable batting average.

The Marlins selected Rivera's contract from Triple-A New Orleans on Thursday, Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald reports.

Rivera slashed .304/.373/.457 through 51 plate appearances this spring, but the short sample was enough for the non-roster invitee to catch on with the big club as a reserve infielder. The 25-year-old will provide organizational depth on a team that is currently down two infielders in J.T. Riddle (shoulder) and Martin Prado (knee). To make room on the 40-man roster, Austin Nola was designated for assignment, and Brett Graves was moved to the 60-day disabled list.

Bichette was released by the Rockies on Wednesday, Chris Cotillo of SB Nation reports.

Bichette will now hit the open market and search for a minor-league deal elsewhere. Prior to joining the Rockies in the offseason, the 25-year-old had stalled at Double-A in the Yankees' organization, spending the majority of the past three seasons there while failing to make it to Triple-A.

Manager Terry Francona said Ramirez (finger) is expected to be in the Indians' Opening Day lineup, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Ramirez cut his finger on a metal bat rack in the dugout during Tuesday's spring game, prompting his removal in the second inning. Fortunately, the issue isn't anything serious and his removal was deemed precautionary, with Francona adding that Ramirez could have played through the issue if necessary. Look for him to reclaim his spot at the hot corner for Thursday's Opening Day showdown against the Mariners.

Ramirez exited Tuesday's spring game with a left middle finger laceration, Zack Meisel of The Athletic Cleveland reports.

Ramirez apparently suffered the injury in the dugout during the first inning and was subsequently replaced by Erik Gonzalez prior to the second frame. The Indians are currently listing him as day-to-day, but with Opening Day on Thursday, this will be something to keep an eye on. More should be known about the situation following the conclusion of Tuesday's game.

Devers (knee) will play Thursday against the Rays, Scott Lauber of ESPN.com reports.

Devers bruised his knee in a collision with Cubs catcher Victor Caratini on Monday and remains out of the lineup Tuesday. He appears to have been held out as a precaution and his manager Alex Cora has little doubt that he'll be in the lineup Thursday.

McMahon will be on the Rockies' Opening Day roster, Nick Groke of The Denver Post reports.

It's something of a surprise move, as reports suggested after the Rockies signed Carlos Gonzalez that McMahon would have to start the season in Triple-A. The 23-year-old infielder has impressed this spring, hitting .328/.375/.537 in 29 games. He dominated the Triple-A level last year, hitting .374/.411/.612 in 70 games for Albuquerque, so he had little left to prove in the minors. McMahon's exact role for the Rockies is unclear -- he can fill in at first, second and third base. First base may be his spot against righties, while the bench may be his home against lefties. He could return good value for his draft price, as anyone with a decent bat who plays half of his games at Coors Field is a potentially significant fantasy asset.

Devers said he felt fine Tuesday after bruising his knee Monday against the Cubs, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Devers bruised his knee in a collision with Cubs catcher Victor Caratini. He's out of the lineup Tuesday and isn't running, but he was able to hit in the cage without issues. It seems likely that he'll be ready to go by Opening Day, but with the start of the season just two days away, there's at least a small chance he'll miss a game or two.

Moncada went 2-for-2 with an RBI and two runs as the leadoff hitter in Monday's exhibition game against Triple-A Charlotte.

Moncada has taken to the leadoff role since manager Rick Renteria started using him there at the beginning of March. In 15 spring games as the team's leadoff hitter, Moncada is 15-for-48 (.313) with seven walks, three home runs, nine RBI and three stolen bases. Included in that tantalizing production are 15 strikeouts -- the strikeouts have been Moncada's bane since reaching the upper minors and majors. Still, his ability to draw walks and speed on the basepaths should make him a productive leadoff hitter.