MLB Player News
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Yermin Mercedes DH | SF
White Sox's Yermin Mercedes: Continues hit parade
Mercedes went 3-for-4 with a double, a walk and two runs scored in Monday's 6-0 win over the Mariners.
The Cinderella start continued for Mercedes, who penned his name into MLB and White Sox history books once again. Among several esoteric benchmarks, his 12 hits are the most by any player in the modern era over his first four career starts. This entirely unexpected hot streak has resulted in Mercedes getting more plate appearances than planned over the first week of the season. He's now seemingly locked him in as the team's top DH, for now at least.
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Kyle Lewis DH | ARI
Mariners' Kyle Lewis: Begins taking swings
Lewis (knee) started hitting in the batting cages under Safeco Field on Monday, the Associated Press reports.
The slugging outfielder is still expected to remain out until the latter part of April, but Monday's developments are another important step for Lewis' recovery. Manager Scott Servais was cautiously optimistic about the news, noting the team still wants to be "careful in how quick we ramp him up" but adding that he sees Lewis "moving in the right direction."
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Justin Turner DH | CHC
Dodgers' Justin Turner: Goes deep Monday
Turner went 2-for-6 with a home run and an additional RBI in Monday's win over the Athletics.
Turner reached base safely in three of his six plate appearances, and the veteran third baseman has reached base on multiple occasions in three of his first four games of the campaign. He also launched his first long ball of the season.
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Mark Canha LF | TEX
Athletics' Mark Canha: Thriving as leadoff hitter
Canha went 2-for-5 with a home run in Monday's loss against the Dodgers.
Canha, who launched his first homer of the season in this game, continues to work as the Athletics' leadoff hitter, and while he's not a prototypical fit at the top of the order, the experiment has worked thus far -- he has reached base safely in every single game while recording back-to-back multi-hit appearances. In fact, he was the only Oakland player who recorded two or more knocks in this game.
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J.D. Martinez DH | NYM
Red Sox's J.D. Martinez: Clubs second homer Monday
Martinez went 2-for-3 with two walks, a three-run home run and a second run scored in Monday's 11-2 win over the Rays.
His eighth-inning blast off 2020 teammate Chris Mazza came when the game was well in hand. Martinez has an extra-base in all four games to begin the season and has already racked up two homers and six RBI after managing a disappointing seven home runs and 27 RBI in 54 games last year.
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Brent Rooker DH | ATH
Twins' Brent Rooker: Gets start in LF
Rooker started in left field and went 1-for-6 in Monday's win over Detroit.
It was curious that Rooker got a start in left field before Kyle Garlick, who initially beat him out for a reserve outfield spot in spring training. It was likely a spot start for Rooker, but there is a chance that he could platoon in left field with Jake Cave when Byron Buxton returns from an illness.
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Shohei Ohtani DH | LAD
Angels' Shohei Ohtani: Available to hit
Ohtani (ankle) will be available to hit off the bench Monday night against the Astros, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.
Ohtani reportedly wanted to be right back in the starting lineup for Monday's contest after suffering an ankle injury Sunday evening, but the Angels will keep him on the bench as a precaution. He could pinch hit for his club if needed, however.
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Brandon Belt DH | TOR
Giants' Brandon Belt: Sits against southpaw
Belt will hit the bench against lefty Adrian Morejon and the Padres on Monday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
Belt started against a southpaw on Opening Day but has now found himself on the bench against the last two lefties the Giants have faced. Wilmer Flores starts ahead of him at first base.