MLB Player News

Diaz started at shortstop in place of the injured Carlos Correa (neck) and went 0-for-4 in Thursday's 5-1 win over the Rays.

Correa's injury is not considered serious, but the Astros didn't want to push it. Diaz will remain the shortstop for as long as Correa is sidelined. Once Correa returns, Diaz will shift to a utility infield role.

Lindor (calf/ankle) is scheduled to visit a foot and ankle specialist in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Tom Withers of the Associated Press reports.

Lindor suffered an acute left ankle sprain in a minor-league game earlier in the week (while rehabbing from a right calf strain), resulting in his placement on the 10-day injured list to open the season. He remains without a timeline for his return, though one will hopefully come into focus following his visit to the doctor. Eric Stamets, who started at shortstop Thursday, should continue to fill in for Lindor.

Fletcher is not in the lineup for Thursday's season opener against the A's.

Fletcher dealt with a nagging hamstring issue last week, though it's unclear if that has anything to do with his absence from Thursday's lineup, as he appeared in the team's final two exhibition games against the Dodgers on Monday and Tuesday. Tommy La Stella is starting at second base in his absence, while Peter Bourjos is covering left field.

The Indians placed Lindor (calf/ankle) on the 10-day injured list Thursday.

Lindor looked to be in line for only a brief stint on the IL to open the season while he recovered from a right calf strain, but his timeline may have been pushed back after he sustained an acute left ankle sprain during a minor-league game Tuesday. The Indians are viewing Lindor as out indefinitely at this stage, with a clearer target date for his return unlikely to be available until he resumes playing in simulated or rehab games.

Correa (neck) is out of the lineup for Thursday's season opener against the Rays, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Correa experienced some neck stiffness prior to the Astros' exhibition finale Tuesday against the Pirates and is considered day-to-day. The Astros had held out hope that he would be ready to go for Opening Day, but Correa "still didn't feel right" after taking some swings Thursday, according to Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle, so the club will err on the side of caution and turn to Aledmys Diaz at shortstop. Correa is optimistic that he'll be able to play at some point during the team's four-game series with Tampa Bay.

Smith is slated to open the season at Double-A New Hampshire, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

The 2017 fourth-round pick will move up a rung on the minor-league ladder after churning out a .302/.358/.528 slash line with 25 home runs and 29 steals in 523 plate appearances between Low-A Lansing and High-A Dunedin a season ago. Top prospects Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette are viewed as future cornerstones for the Blue Jays on the left side of the infield, but Smith, who has primarily played shortstop during his career, could be an everyday option at second base as soon as 2020 if he continues to perform at a high level in the upper minors.

Urena was informed Tuesday that he would be included on the Blue Jays' Opening Day roster, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

The 23-year-old switch hitter will serve as a utility infielder for Toronto, a role that will likely afford him only a couple starts per week. With a .257/.311/.341 slash line, two home runs and three steals over 183 career plate appearances in the majors, Urena won't carry much fantasy appeal if he finds himself in a full-time role at some point this season.

Lindor suffered an acute left ankle sprain in a minor-league game Tuesday.

An MRI revealed the sprain to be mild-to-moderate, per Paul Hoynes of The Cleveland Plain Dealer. Although Lindor's latest injury is to his other leg, it's certainly not an ideal development while the shortstop works back from a right calf strain. The Indians have already indicated that Lindor will open the season on the injured list, and the ankle setback could push his return timeline back further.

Correa's neck stiffness may cause him to miss Opening Day, Jake Kaplan of The Athletic reports.

Manager AJ Hinch wouldn't commit to Correa being ready, saying the team would evaluate him over the next two days before making a call. The shortstop hasn't played since Friday, but he's been fielding groundballs and hitting in the cage, so it doesn't sound as if any potential absence will be a prolonged one.

Lindor (calf) played eight innings at shortstop and went 1-for-4 with a home run and four RBI in a minor-league game Monday.

More so than his offensive contributions, Lindor's ability to play the field for nearly an entire game is a good indication that he's nearing the finish line in his recovery from a right calf strain. The Indians have already stated that Lindor will open the season on the injured list, but the three-time All-Star still looks to have a realistic chance at making his 2019 debut within the first week of April.