MLB Player News
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Elly De La Cruz SS | CIN
Reds' Elly De La Cruz: Swats home run in win
De La Cruz went 1-for-4 with two walks and a solo home run in Saturday's 6-5 extra-innings win over the Red Sox.
De La Cruz clubbed his first home run of the season in the fifth inning to give Cincinnati a 5-3 lead. The shortstop, who clouted 20-plus home runs in each of his first two full MLB seasons, is looking to rebound from a second-half dip in production in 2025. To that end, Reds manager Terry Francona stated it was an organizational goal to keep De La Cruz fresh, so he may get more rest this season.
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Ezequiel Tovar SS | COL
Rockies' Ezequiel Tovar: First homer of 2026
Tovar went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run Saturday against the Marlins.
Tovar pulled an offering from Eury Perez over the left-field fence in the fourth inning for his first home run of the season. He's hit cleanup in each of Colorado's first two games, collecting two hits in eight plate appearances.
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Matt McLain SS | CIN
Reds' Matt McLain: Productive at plate in win
McLain went 3-for-4 with an RBI, a run scored and two walks in Saturday's 6-5 win over the Red Sox.
McLain tore the cover off the ball during spring training and is carrying it over to begin the regular season. The second baseman drew an eight-pitch walk in the first inning and later scored on a fielder's choice. He then drove in Ke'Bryan Hayes with an RBI double in his second plate appearance. Through two games, McLain is 3-for-7 at the plate with three walks.
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Jordan Lawlar SS | ARI
Diamondbacks' Jordan Lawlar: Getting Saturday off
Lawlar isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Dodgers.
Lawlar has started the new season 1-for-7 with three strikeouts across Arizona's first two contests, and he'll now rest his legs during Saturday's series finale. His absence will allow Jorge Barrosa to start in left field and bat ninth.
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Oneil Cruz SS | PIT
Pirates' Oneil Cruz: Taking seat Saturday
Cruz isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Mets.
A couple of defensive miscues from Cruz allowed the Mets to take an early 5-2 lead in the first inning of Thursday's contest, so the Pirates will keep the 27-year-old on the bench to begin Saturday's game while Jake Mangum patrols center field.
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Javier Sanoja SS | MIA
Marlins' Javier Sanoja: Three hits in Friday's start
Sanoja went 3-for-3 with an RBI in Friday's win over the Rockies.
Getting the start at third base and batting ninth, Sanoja consistently flipped the lineup over in a 2-1 victory. The 23-year-old utility player was in the lineup against a left-hander in Kyle Freeland, and he could work as a platoon partner for Graham Pauley at the hot corner in the short term while Connor Norby covers for Christopher Morel (oblique) at first base. Pauley missed most of training camp due to a forearm strain, but he was able to enter Friday's game as a late-inning defensive replacement, bumping Sanoja out to left field.
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C.J. Abrams SS | WAS
Nationals' CJ Abrams: Away from team
Abrams is currently away from the Nationals due to a death in his family, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.
The Nationals haven't officially placed the 25-year-old on the bereavement list, but a move could come in the near future. Nasim Nunez will start at shortstop while Abrams is away, opening up second base for Jorbit Vivas.
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Alex Freeland SS | LAD
Dodgers' Alex Freeland: Homer, double in win
Freeland went 2-for-3 with a solo home run, a double and a second run scored in Friday's 5-4 win over the Diamondbacks.
Freeland made his first start of the season at second base after Miguel Rojas got the nod at the keystone for Opening Day. Over 97 regular-season plate appearances in 2025, Freeland posted a .190/.292/.310 slash line with two home runs, six RBI, 10 runs scored and a stolen base. He'll have an extended audition early in the season while Tommy Edman (ankle) is on the shelf. With the Dodgers' outfield mix set and Edman likely to see his time at second base once healthy, Freeland will need to perform well to stick around on the major-league roster as a potential utility bat. Hyeseong Kim may also be the mix for time at second base eventually, which could make it difficult for Freeland to carve out enough playing time to help in most fantasy formats.
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Casey Schmitt SS | SF
Giants' Casey Schmitt: Another start at first base
Schmitt will start at first base and bat seventh in Friday's game versus the Yankees.
Schmitt started at first base against lefty Max Fried in the opener and is now back at the position versus righty Cam Schlittler for the second game of the season. Meanwhile, Rafael Devers is again at designated hitter and Jerar Encarnacion is on the bench. Schmitt will likely need to get off to a hot start to remain an everyday player, but it's clear he's at least the preferred defensive option at first base for new manager Tony Vitello.
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Nasim Nunez SS | WAS
Nationals' Nasim Nunez: Swipes first bag of year
Nunez went 0-for-2 with a walk, a run scored, an RBI and a stolen base in Thursday's win over the Cubs.
Getting the start at second base and batting seventh, Nunez made an immediate impact with his speed when he drew a one-out walk and stole second in the sixth inning before scoring on a Ben Brown wild pitch. Nunez came into the season with 17 steals in 20 attempts over 90 big-league games in a utility role, giving him significant stolen-base upside if he hits enough to hang onto a starting spot at the keystone for the Nats.