MLB Player News
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Ernie Clement SS | TOR
Blue Jays' Ernie Clement: Hits bench Sunday
Clement is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Orioles.
Clement will be on the bench for the second time in the four-game series while Will Wagner fills in for him at third base. Though the right-handed-hitting Clement should be a regular part of the lineup versus left-handed pitching, he could be more of a part-time option at third base.
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Zach McKinstry 3B | DET
Tigers' Zach McKinstry: Productive from leadoff spot
McKinstry went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored in Saturday's 7-3 loss to the Dodgers.
McKinstry paced Detroit's offense from the leadoff spot, collecting a third of the team's hits and runs. The 30-year-old has seen action in all three of the Tigers' games so far, with starts in the last two, and he's already seen action at second base, third base and shortstop. McKinstry doesn't figure to play much when southpaws are on the hill, but he appears to have a regular lineup spot secured against righties and can play a number of defensive positions when he's called upon.
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Jeimer Candelario 3B | NYY
Reds' Jeimer Candelario: Moves to DH
Candelario served as the designated hitter and went 1-for-3 with a walk in Saturday's 3-2 win over San Francisco.
Candelario, who started Opening Day at third base, moved to DH on Saturday when Spencer Steer was given a rest day. Steer is dealing with a wonky shoulder that's limiting him to DH for now. Candelario will see time at third base, first base and DH, while the Reds cope with Steer's situation and Austin Hays' calf injury. Gavin Lux, who is also expected to get starts at the hot corner, has been filling in for Hays in left field. Candelario is keeping himself in the lineup by collecting three hits, two walks and three RBI through eight plate appearances to begin the year.
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Oswald Peraza 3B | LAA
Yankees' Oswald Peraza: Gets in on history with homer
Peraza went 1-for-1 with a two-run home run Saturday in a 20-9 win against the Brewers.
Peraza didn't start the contest, but he was given a chance to pinch hit with New York up 18-6 in the seventh inning. The 24-year-old took advantage of the opportunity, drilling a two-run blast to left field. The long ball was the Yankees' ninth of the game, establishing a franchise record.
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Jordan Westburg 2B | BAL
Orioles' Jordan Westburg: Homers twice in win over Blue Jays
Westburg went 4-for-5 with two home runs and an additional run scored in a 9-5 win over Toronto on Saturday.
Westburg is off to a blazing start in 2025 with a robust .462 batting average (6-for-13) to go along with three home runs and four runs through three games. He took advantage of a rusty Max Scherzer and followed up Colton Cowser's leadoff homer with a 434-foot smash to left-center to give the Orioles an early 2-0 lead. Westburg's second homer of the contest came in the seventh inning and finished the scoring for the game. He's batted leadoff against right-handed pitchers in the first three games of the season and has some serious run potential this year.
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Eugenio Suarez 3B | SEA
Diamondbacks' Eugenio Suarez: Continues scorching start to season
Suarez went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run and a walk Saturday in a 4-3 loss to the Cubs.
Suarez set off an Arizona rally in the ninth inning with a two-run blast off Cubs closer Ryan Pressly. The veteran third baseman has now homered in each of Arizona's first three games of the campaign, belting four long balls and racking up seven RBI in that span. Suarez's red-hot start is a stark contrast to his early-season struggles last year -- he had just six homers and a .196 batting average through the end of June in his first campaign with the Diamondbacks in 2024.
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Josh H. Smith SS | TEX
Rangers' Josh Smith: Diagnosed with quad contusion
Smith left Saturday's game against Boston in the first inning due to a left quadriceps contusion, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.
Smith suffered the injury when he collided into the fence in foul territory while attempting to field a flyball. He managed to initially stay in but was replaced by Ezequiel Duran in the bottom of the first inning. Smith will undergo further testing to determine the severity of the injury, but he'll likely be held out of Sunday's series finale. With Josh Jung working through neck spasms, Duran could be in line for starts at third base.
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Manny Machado 3B | SD
Padres' Manny Machado: Exits game due to calf tightness
Machado was removed from Saturday's game against Atlanta due to right calf tightness, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.
Machado appeared to injure himself on a swing in the bottom of the fourth inning. He was able to finish the at-bat but limped off the field and was replaced by Jose Iglesias at third base for the top of the fifth. Machado will undergo further tests to determine the severity of the injury, per Cassavell.
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Josh H. Smith SS | TEX
Rangers' Josh Smith: Removed from Saturday's game
Smith was removed from Saturday's game against the Red Sox due to a left leg injury, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.
Smith collided with the fence in the top of the first inning while attempting to field a flyball that was drifting into foul territory. He was evaluated by a trainer and initially stayed in, but Ezequiel Duran pinch hit for Smith in the bottom of the inning. Smith will likely undergo further tests to determine the extent of the injury.