MLB Player News

The Diamondbacks designated Rivera for assignment Thursday.

Heading into spring training, Rivera looked like a fairly safe bet to make the Opening Day roster as a reserve infielder, but Arizona's plans for him may have changed after he submitted a woeful .167/.268/.229 slash line over 21 Cactus League games. The Diamondbacks will instead move Rivera off the 40-man roster and make room for rookie infielder Blaze Alexander on the Opening Day bench.

Rendon will start at third base and bat leadoff in Thursday's season opener versus the Orioles.

Angels manager Ron Washington toyed with the idea of batting Rendon at the top of the order later on in spring training, and the veteran skipper decided to carry it into the season. Rendon will be followed by Aaron Hicks, Mike Trout and Taylor Ward.

The Yankees placed LeMahieu (foot) on the 10-day injured list Thursday.

LeMahieu's rehab from a bone bruise in his foot is coming along but hasn't advanced enough for him to play in the opener. The veteran infielder will undergo an MRI on Friday to check his progress. Oswaldo Cabrera and Jon Berti will handle third base while LeMahieu is out.

The Marlins recalled Bride from Triple-A Jacksonville on Thursday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Miami had sent Bride to minor-league camp earlier this month, but he'll now fill the roster spot vacated by the trade of Jon Berti. Bride will provide depth at multiple infield spots.

Garcia will start at third base and bat leadoff in Thursday's season opener against the Twins.

Garcia had a great spring in posting a .984 OPS and opens the season as the Royals' leadoff man, as expected. The young infielder has some breakout potential this season from the top of the batting order, boasting good wheels and some sneaky pop.

Farmer is starting at second base and batting seventh for the Twins in Thursday's opener versus the Royals.

Farmer gets the nod at the keystone with the Royals starting southpaw Cole Ragans. The 33-year-old utility player had a .781 OPS against left-handed pitching last season for Minnesota.

The Rays placed Walls (hip) on the 10-day injured list Wednesday.

Walls is working his way back from last October's surgery to repair a labral tear in his right hip. According to MLB.com, Walls has been hitting in the batting cage, fielding grounders and throwing during spring training, and he's set to meet with a doctor Monday to get a gauge of where he stands in his recovery from surgery. Since he'll need to go through a spring training-esque progression that likely includes a minor-league rehab assignment once he's cleared to intensify his baseball activities, Walls might not be ready to make his season debut until late April or early May.

Bride could now make the Marlins' Opening Day roster following the trade of Jon Berti, Craig Mish of the Miami Herald reports.

Bride was optioned to Triple-A Jacksonville earlier this month, but with an ability to handle multiple infield positions he makes for a natural replacement for Berti. However, the Marlins already have utility options Nick Gordon and Vidal Brujan on the roster, so they may not feel the need to add a third. The 28-year-old Bride was acquired from the Athletics in February.

Rays manager Kevin Cash said Wednesday that Shenton has made the Rays' Opening Day roster, Steve Carney of StPeteNine.com reports.

Shenton was optioned to minor-league camp earlier this month, but injuries to other players created another opportunity and he wound up making the team. The 26-year-old can handle the corner-infield and corner-outfield spots and could also be an option at designated hitter while Jonathan Aranda (finger) opens the season on the injured list. Shenton will be making his major-league debut whenever he gets into a game.

Vargas appears set as the Nationals' primary utility infielder to begin the season.

A big spring from prospect Trey Lipscomb created some drama toward the end of camp as to who would claim the final roster spots, but Vargas' job seems secure after Lipscomb was reassigned to minor-league camp Tuesday. With Luis Garcia and Nick Senzel both question marks at second base and third base, Vargas could see more playing time than expected in the early going, but he offers little fantasy upside after slashing .252/.304/.363 over 286 plate appearances for the Nats in 2023.