MLB Player News

Rooker was recalled from Minnesota's alternate training site Saturday, Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Rooker lost out to Kyle Garlick for the final reserve outfielder spot in spring training, but he could figure into the mix in left field with Josh Donaldson on the injured list with a hamstring injury. Luis Arraez is starting at third base Saturday with Jake Cave in left field. It's possible Rooker could get starts in left field or at first base and even platoon with Cave if he gets hot, but he could also quickly return to the minors when Donaldson is ready to return.

Cabrera will serve as the designated hitter and bat fourth in Saturday's game against Cleveland.

Cabrera started at first base in Thursday's season opener and popped a home run, but he'll shift to DH for the second game as the Tigers look to keep him fresh. The 37-year-old is seemingly going to play the field at least a few times a week this season, though it remains to be seen exactly what the split will be between first base and DH.

Ohtani went 1-for-5 with a two-run home run and three strikeouts in Friday's loss to the White Sox.

Despite being scheduled to pitch Sunday, manager Joe Maddon said that Ohtani would be in Saturday's lineup as well, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports. Ohtani is now 1-for-9 with four strikeouts through two games as a hitter.

Brantley went 3-for-5 with an RBI and two runs scored in Friday's 9-5 win over the Athletics.

Brantley's off to the races to open the season, going 6-for-9 with a home run, two RBI and four runs scored over the first two games. Sitting ahead of Alex Bregman in the order should provide plenty of good pitches for Brantley.

Blackmon went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Friday's 11-6 loss to the Dodgers.

The Rockies did all their scoring in the seventh inning, as Blackmon ruined Trevor Bauer's shutout bid with the first of four Colorado homers in the frame. It's the veteran outfielder's only hit through the first two games of the season, but with home games in Coors Field to bolster his numbers, there's little reason to be concerned about Blackmon's production.

Turner went 3-for-5 with a double, a run scored and three RBI in Friday's 11-6 win over the Rockies.

The veteran third baseman brought home one run with his second-inning double and two more with a single in the fourth, helping the Dodgers build a big early lead. Turner hasn't posted an OPS below .860 since 2016, and even at 37 years old there's no indication he's about to slow down any time soon.

Mercedes started as the designated hitter and went 5-for-5 with a double and four RBI in Friday's 12-8 win over the Angels.

Mercedes was the top story coming out of Friday's game. The 28-year-old, who made his first Opening Day roster, had one at-bat in the majors prior to a breakout performance in his inaugural MLB start Friday. He's on the roster as a third catcher and part-time DH, but he may gain a larger profile after becoming the first player since 1933 to have five hits in his first MLB start.

Lewis (knee) will begin baseball activities in 3-to-4 days, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

He will begin by hitting in the cage and would then progress to running after a few days. It sounds like Lewis could come off the injured list in mid-to-late April. In the meantime, Taylor Trammell and Jake Fraley are playing center and left field, respectively, with Mitch Haniger handling right field for Seattle.

Belt is not in Friday's lineup against the Mariners, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

He got the start Thursday against a lefty but will head to the bench with another lefty (Yusei Kikuchi) on the mound. Belt went 1-for-4 with a walk and an RBI in the opener. Wilmer Flores will start at first base and bat sixth.

Dickerson is not in Friday's lineup against the Mariners, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

He will head to the bench for the second game in a row with a southpaw (Yusei Kikuchi) toeing the rubber for Seattle. Dickerson homered off the bench Thursday and should start Saturday's game with righty Chris Flexen starting for the Mariners. In the meantime, Austin Slater draws another leadoff start in left.