MLB Player News

Espinal started at third base and went 2-for-3 in Saturday's 3-2 win over the Giants.

Espinal, who entered the starting lineup for the first time, filled in at third base while Jeimer Candelario handled DH duties for Spencer Steer, who was given a rest day. The hot corner could be a revolving door over the first month of the season. In addition to Espinal and Candelario, Gavin Lux and Steer could see time there. At this point, Lux is covering left field for the injured Austin Hays (calf) and Steer is dealing with a shoulder that's limited him to DH and could prompt more rest days than normal.

Hampson entered as a pinch runner and was responsible for the final out of the game in Saturday's 4-3 loss to the Cubs.

The veteran utility player prevailed over Ildemaro Vargas for Arizona's final roster spot partially due to his speed. Unfortunately for Hampson, who was making his debut with his new team, an over-aggressive play on the basepaths led to the game-ending out -- he took a wide turn at third base on Corbin Carroll's slow chopper to short, and got caught when Dansby Swanson faked a throw to first. Hampson isn't likely to offer much fantasy value in his bench role anyway, but moments like this won't earn him more playing time.

Kiner-Falefa went 2-for-3 with two walks and two stolen bases Saturday against the Marlins.

Kiner-Falefa was expected to lead off for a significant portion of spring, but he's instead hit ninth in all three of Pittsburgh's games. He's still found a way to be productive and has benefited from the team's aggressiveness on the basepaths by swiping three bases on three tries. Kiner-Falefa is likely to provide little other production, but he could be a streaming option for stolen bases.

Shaw went 1-for-2 with a solo home run in Saturday's 4-3 victory versus Arizona.

Shaw didn't start the contest, but he came through in a big way as a pinch hitter when he smacked a solo homer to left-center field in the seventh inning. The long ball was his first major-league home run, and it proved to be the winning margin in the 4-3 win. Shaw is working as the Cubs' primary third baseman in his rookie campaign, and he's gone 3-for-19 through his first five major-league games.

McLain went 2-for-4 with a solo home run, a double and an additional run scored in Saturday's 3-2 win over the Giants.

McLain put the Reds on the board with a homer in the third inning and then scored the tying run in the fifth. After missing the entire 2024 season due to injury, the 25-year-old looks healthy and could provide plenty of value hitting second in front of Elly De La Cruz most days.

Sosa went 2-for-4 with an RBI, a run scored and a walk in Saturday's 11-6 win over Washington.

Sosa entered the lineup to bat ninth and fill in at shortstop for the injured Trea Turner (back) on Saturday, and he was one of six Phillies to register a multi-hit game. The severity of Turner's issue is unknown, but Sosa could be in line to handle extra at-bats for however long the former remains out of action.

Leonard signed a minor-league contract with Atlanta on Saturday, Ari Alexander of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Leonard was cut loose by Detroit on Thursday but didn't have to wait very long for his next opportunity, as he'll now provide organizational infield depth at Triple-A Gwinnett. The 24-year-old slashed .263/.326/.455 with 282 plate appearances in Triple-A last season and is still waiting to make his MLB debut.

Betts is not in the Dodgers' starting lineup against the Tigers on Saturday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

Saturday was a planned off day for Betts as he hasn't completely recovered from an illness that caused him to lose nearly 20 pounds, per Kirsten Watson of Spectrum SportsNet LA. Miguel Rojas will get the start at shortstop and bat eighth against Tigers right-hander Reese Olson.

Shaw is out of the lineup for Saturday's game against the Diamondbacks.

Shaw is just 2-for-17 with four runs scored and six strikeouts through the Cubs' first four games of the year. He'll get a chance to regroup Saturday; meanwhile, Gage Workman will start at third base and bat eighth.

Turner was scratched from the lineup ahead of Saturday's game versus Washington due to lower-back spasms.

The severity of Turner's injury is unclear, though it's apparently enough of an issue to keep him out of Saturday's contest. While he recovers, Edmundo Sosa will fill in at shortstop and bat ninth.