MLB Player News
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Ernie Clement SS | TOR
Blue Jays' Ernie Clement: Bangs out two doubles Friday
Clement went 2-for-4 with two doubles and a run scored in Friday's win over the A's.
It was a strong start to the season for the 30-year-old infielder, who's expected to be Toronto's everyday second baseman now that Andres Gimenez is sliding over to shortstop to replace Bo Bichette. Clement posted a respectable .277/.313/.398 slash line in 2025 with nine homers and six steals in 157 regular-season games while bouncing all around the infield, but having a stable defensive home could allow him to find another level at the plate.
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Addison Barger SS | TOR
Blue Jays' Addison Barger: Idle vs. southpaw
Barger is not in the Blue Jays' starting lineup against the Athletics on Saturday.
With left-hander Jeffrey Springs taking the mound for the Athletics on Saturday, Barger will open the contest in the dugout while the Blue Jays go with Davis Schneider, Daulton Varsho and Myles Straw in the outfield from left to right. Barger went 0-for-4 with a strikeout on Opening Day on Friday.
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Jeremy Pena SS | HOU
Astros' Jeremy Pena: Swipes bag in 2026 debut
Pena went 2-for-5 with a run scored and a stolen base in Friday's 6-2 loss to the Angels.
After being held out Opening Day, Pena made his season debut hitting leadoff and set the table very effectively. The shortstop missed most of spring training and a chance to play for the Dominican Republic during the WBC, as a result of a fractured fingertip he sustained in early March, but Pena recovered in time to avoid a stint on the IL and appears to be fully healthy.
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Cole Young SS | SEA
Mariners' Cole Young: Belts three-run homer
Young went 1-for-3 with a three-run home run in Friday's 5-1 win over the Guardians.
Young was held hitless Thursday, going 0-for-3 with three strikeouts to start the season. He bounced back with a go-ahead blast in the fourth inning Friday, the fifth homer of his young major-league career. The second baseman launched six homers and added 18 RBI over 19 games in spring training, so there's some power potential, though he'll likely be negatively impacted by playing half his games at T-Mobile Park. He posted a .607 OPS, four homers, 24 RBI, 24 runs scored and one stolen base over 257 plate appearances during the 2025 regular season. Young looks to have a clear path to at-bats versus right-handed pitchers this season, and a strong start to the year could make him a near-everyday player.
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Jeremy Pena SS | HOU
Astros' Jeremy Pena: In lineup Friday
Pena (finger) is leading off and playing shortstop Friday against the Angels.
Pena was held out on Opening Day, but he's back in action for game No. 2. His return to the lineup pushes Carlos Correa to third base, while Isaac Paredes moves to DH and Yordan Alvarez fills left field. Pena sustained a fractured finger March 4.
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Brayan Rocchio SS | CLE
Guardians' Brayan Rocchio: Delivers two runs in win
Rocchio batted ninth and went 2-for-3 with a double, two RBI and a run scored in Thursday's 6-4 win over the Mariners. He was also hit by a pitch.
As expected, Rocchio was the Opening Day starter at second base, but less expected was his offensive impact. The light-hitting infielder is expected to be a lineup regular at second base, and Rocchio could quiet the calls for a quick promotion for Travis Bazzana, the team's first-round pick in 2024, if he can maintain a productive bat.
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Chase Meidroth SS | CHW
White Sox's Chase Meidroth: Homers on Opening Day
Meidroth went 1-for-2 with two walks and a solo home run Thursday against the Brewers.
Meidroth was one of the few bright spots for the White Sox in a blowout loss. He led off the game with his first home run of the season and also continued to showcase his ability to get on base after posting a .418 on-base percentage across 52 at-bats this spring. Meidroth led off against righty Jacob Misiorowski, and the middle infielder's skill set suggests he should continue to hit toward the top of the order and play nearly every day.
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Austin Martin SS | MIN
Twins' Austin Martin: Bats leadoff
Martin went 1-for-3 with a stolen base in Thursday's loss against the Orioles. He started in left field and batted leadoff.
It looks like Martin will bat leadoff against left-handed starters as he platoons in left field with James Outman or Trevor Larnach. Martin did make a mental error by throwing to the wrong base which led to a run, so he could be in the manager's doghouse in the short term.
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Marcelo Mayer SS | BOS
Red Sox's Marcelo Mayer: Impacts win off bench
Mayer entered Thursday's game as a pinch hitter and went 2-for-2 with a double and a run scored in a 3-0 win over Cincinnati. He finished the game at second base.
Mayer was held out of the starting lineup against a lefty but got his chance after Reds starter Andrew Abbott was removed. Pinch hitting for Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Mayer led off the seventh inning with a double and scored the game's first run. He later led off the ninth with a single that triggered a two-run frame. Red Sox manager Alex Cora plans a three-player platoon at second base with Mayer against righties, while Kiner-Falefa and Andruw Monasterio handle southpaws. Mayer should get his first start Saturday against Reds' right-hander Brady Singer.
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Kevin McGonigle SS | DET
Tigers' Kevin McGonigle: Tallies four hits in MLB debut
McGonigle went 4-for-5 with two doubles, two RBI and two runs scored in Thursday's 8-2 win over the Padres.
Making his MLB debut, McGonigle started at third base and batted sixth Opening Day, and he made quite the first impression on the heels of a strong spring training. The youngster became just the second Detroit player ever to record four hits in his first game in the majors. McGonigle is expected to see plenty of time at shortstop this year, though he covered the hot corner Thursday with Javier Baez starting at short. No matter where McGonigle plays in the field, he looks ready to make a fantasy impact right away.