MLB Player News

Bichette went 2-for-5 with a solo home run in Monday's loss to the Royals.

Remarkably, it's the first home run of the season for a Blue Jays team that was one of only seven last year to launch 200 or more. Bichette's had a great start at the plate, going 8-for-19 (.421) with a double, two RBI and three runs scored in addition to Monday's blast, and the 25-year-old shortstop will look to take his production to another level in 2023 after slashing a combined .294/.338/.477 over the last two seasons with 53 homers and 38 steals.

Chang is starting at second base and hitting ninth for the Red Sox on Tuesday versus the Pirates.

He's filling in for Christian Arroyo, who is getting a day off. Chang will square off against Roansy Contreras in what will be his first start of the season.

Crawford went 2-for-3 with a double, a walk and a run in a loss to the Angels on Monday.

Crawford reached safely for the fourth time in the first five games of the season out of his No. 9 spot in the order, contributing his first multi-hit effort and extra-base hit of 2023 in the process. Thanks in part to the four walks complementing his three hits, Crawford sports an early .389 on-base percentage despite just a .214 average through his first 18 plate appearances.

Smith (face) posted Tuesday on his personal Twitter account that he's "doing fine" and "will hopefully be back on the field soon" after he exited Monday's 2-0 loss to the Orioles.

Smith left the game after being struck in the face by a Danny Coulombe pitch. He was taken to a hospital to be evaluated, and while an exact diagnosis for his injury hasn't been revealed, he appears to have avoided something serious. Smith, who had been handling the strong side of a platoon in left field to begin the season, can be considered day-to-day until the Rangers provide more details on his condition.

Duran filled in at left field Monday after Josh Smith was hit in the face by a pitch. He went 0-for-2 in a 2-0 loss to Batlimore.

Duran is primarily an infielder, but he was given exposure to left field during spring training. Expanding Duran's position versatility is about getting his potentially dangerous bat in the lineup. He's appeared in three games (one start) thus far and is 1-for-6.

Mateo went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Monday's 2-0 win over the Rangers.

Mateo was out of action Sunday after cutting his hand in Saturday's game versus the Red Sox, but it was never expected to be a long-term issue. The 27-year-old shortstop has already put his speed on display with four steals through three games. His fifth-inning solo shot was his first homer, and he's added three RBI, four runs scored and a 2:2 BB:K. It's still too early to tell if his plate discipline has truly improved, but he struck out nearly once per game in 2022 -- any improvement in that regard can only raise his batting profile.

Witt went 2-for-3 with a run, two RBI, one walk and one steal Monday against the Blue Jays.

He got his first hits of the season and also stole his first base. Most encouragingly, Witt has a 3:3 K:BB in 16 plate appearances this season.

Smith left Monday's game against the Orioles after being hit in the face by a pitch in the third inning, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Smith was hit in the face by a Danny Coulombe pitch and had to exit the contest. Ezequiel Duran has entered the game as a pinch runner. Smith was taken to a local hospital for further scans and testing on his face and jaw.

Volpe picked up his third stolen base of the season while going 0-for-3 with a walk and a run scored in Sunday's 6-0 victory versus San Francisco.

Volpe has gone hitless in two of three games to start his MLB career, but he's reached base via walk in both of those hitless contests and has swiped a bag in all three of his appearances thus far. The rookie stole 48 bags across two minor-league levels last season, and he's already showing that he has the speed and timing to be a prolific base stealer in the majors. Volpe's performance thus far has justified New York's decision to commit to the 21-year-old as its primary shortstop in a season during which the team has World Series aspirations.

Mateo (hand) will start at shortstop and bat eighth in Monday's game against the Rangers.

The speedy infielder is back in action after he was held out of Sunday's 9-5 loss to the Red Sox with a minor laceration on his right hand. Mateo's free-swinging approach will likely make him a liability in the batting-average category this season, but so long as he stays healthy and sticks in an everyday role, he should be a leading contender for MLB's stolen-base crown. He's already gone a perfect 4-for-4 in steal attempts through his first two games of the young season.