MLB Player News
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Gavin Lux SS | CIN
Reds' Gavin Lux: Batting cleanup in opener
Lux will start in left field and bat cleanup Thursday against the Giants.
With Austin Hays (calf) shelved, Lux slides into the lineup in the corner outfield and also gets a prime spot in the lineup, batting behind TJ Friedl, Matt McLain and Elly De La Cruz. Most of Lux's playing time could ultimately come at third base, but he's in line for regular reps in left field versus righties while Hays is out.
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Matthew Lugo SS | LAA
Angels' Matthew Lugo: Not part of Opening Day roster
The Angels optioned Lugo to Triple-A Salt Lake on Wednesday.
The Angels' recent history of aggressively promoting prospects coupled with the release of Mickey Moniak on Tuesday fueled speculation that Lugo might break camp with the big club, but Los Angeles instead elected to carry Kyren Paris as a fourth outfielder on the Opening Day roster. The 23-year-old Lugo shouldn't have to wait long to make his MLB debut, especially if he continues to produce well at the plate with Salt Lake early on in the season after he held his own during spring training. Though he struck out at 29.5 percent clip and had a 3.3 percent walk rate over 61 plate appearances in the Cactus League, Lugo hit .293 with seven extra-base hits (four doubles, three triples) and two stolen bases.
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Royce Lewis 3B | MIN
Twins' Royce Lewis: Officially placed on IL
The Twins placed Lewis (hamstring) on the 10-day injured list Wednesday.
A moderate hamstring strain has kept Lewis sidelined since March 16, and he has yet to resume any sort of baseball activities since then, other than throwing. A minimum-length stay on the IL seems unlikely at this point, and he'll remain without a clear return timeline until he advances to the next stage in his rehab.
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Brett Harris 3B | ATH
Athletics' Brett Harris: Lands on IL
The Athletics placed Harris (oblique) on the 10-day injured list Tuesday.
Harris strained his left oblique in early March and hadn't appeared in a spring training game since then. The Athletics haven't offered up a timetable for his return, but he'll most likely be sidelined for much of April. Harris hit .146 with three home runs and 12 RBI over 123 plate appearances over 36 games with the Athletics in 2024.
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Jose Tena SS | WAS
Nationals' Jose Tena: Wins bench job
Tena earned a spot on the Nationals' Opening Day roster, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.
The 24-year-old was competing for a bench job during spring training and secured a roster spot despite posting a .156/.240/.200 slash line in 50 plate appearances. Tena had a .668 OPS in 41 games with Washington in 2024 and is unlikely to be fantasy-relevant this year.
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DJ LeMahieu 2B | NYY
Yankees' DJ LeMahieu: Sent to injured list
The Yankees placed LeMahieu (calf) on the 10-day injured list Wednesday.
LeMahieu has been battling a left calf strain since the beginning of March, so his move to the IL was fully expected. The 36-year-old infielder has been gradually easing his way back into baseball activities over the past week, though he remains without a target return date. While LeMahieu is out, Oswaldo Cabrera will likely start regularly at third base.
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Josh Jung 3B | TEX
Rangers' Josh Jung: Ready to go for Opening Day
Jung (neck) remains on track to play Opening Day against the Red Sox, Jeff Wilson of AllDLLS.com reports.
Jung exited Monday's exhibition game with a stiff neck and was scratched from Tuesday's lineup due to the injury, but he's not in any danger of missing Thursday's opener. The 27-year-old is in line to serve as the Rangers' everyday third baseman this season, though he was limited to just 46 games last year due to wrist issues.
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Yoan Moncada 3B | LAA
Angels' Yoan Moncada: Expected to be ready for opener
Moncada (thumb) is expected to be active and in the Angels' Opening Day lineup versus the White Sox on Thursday, Francys Romero of BeisbolFR.com reports.
Moncada hasn't played in two weeks due to a right thumb injury, but he's been working out in recent days and apparently has convinced the Angels he's well enough to give it a go in Thursday's opener. The 29-year-old switch hitter is expected to be the Halos' primary third baseman this season after signing a one-year, $5 million contract just before spring training. Injuries have limited Moncada to only 104 games over the last two seasons.