MLB Player News

Abrams will sit Monday against the Giants.

Abrams has now been on the bench for three of the Padres' first five games, but the way he's been used is arguably encouraging for his future playing time. He's started at shortstop against both righties the Padres have faced, while Ha-Seong Kim has started against all three lefties, including Monday's starter Alex Wood. Once the Padres start facing a more standard split of righties and lefties, Abrams' playing time should increase.

Wendle went 2-for-4 with two runs scored in Sunday's loss to the Giants.

The veteran infielder accounted for both of Miami's runs on the afternoon while getting the start at shortstop and hitting sixth. Wendle is off to a quick start to his Marlins tenure, going 3-for-7 with a walk and three runs scored through two games.

Watson homered for the second time in as many games Sunday for Low-A Jupiter in a win over Palm Beach.

The 16th overall pick in the 2021 Draft got an aggressive assignment to full-season ball to begin the season despite not turning 19 until later this week, but it's Watson who is dominating older pitchers, not the other way around. He's 4-for-10 with two doubles and two homers through his first three games for the Hammerheads, and while his 1:5 BB:K is a sign that the hot streak could end quickly if he doesn't sharpen his plate discipline, it's hard to argue he shouldn't keep swinging given what's been happening when he makes contact. The Marlins appear to have landed a gem with Watson, but he still remains at least a couple years away from his big-league debut.

Ahmed (shoulder) hopes to begin taking at-bats at extended spring training this week, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

Ahmed was enthused when discussing the state of his right shoulder after receiving two cortisone shots in late March. "It's way better than it was two weeks ago," the shortstop said. According to the report, Ahmed has been hitting and throwing since early last week, which contradicts an earlier report from Steve Gilbert of MLB.com, who indicated Ahmed was hitting and taking grounders but not throwing. Ahmed could return at some point next week while the Diamondbacks are one the road.

Cruz started in left field for Triple-A Indianapolis on Sunday, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

As part of their decision to send Cruz to Triple-A to begin the season, Pirates management stated that they wanted the prospect to get experience in the outfield. However, through five games with Indianapolis, Cruz has appeared at shortstop four times as opposed to the outfield only once. However, he looked quite accustomed to left field when he made a sliding catch in the top of the seventh inning to save a likely extra-base hit while fieldng the position Sunday. It's not clear when Cruz may get the call to Pittsburgh, though he's maintained a .381 on-base percentage with one extra-base hit across 21 plate appearances in Indianapolis.

Adames went 1-for-3 with a solo homer, two runs, a walk and two strikeouts in Sunday's 5-4 win over the Cubs.

Adames has recorded hits in each of the first three games in the 2022 season, and he put the Brewers on the board with his solo shot in the top of the third inning during Sunday's series finale. During his three-game hitting streak to open the year, he's gone 4-for-12 with a homer, a double, two runs, two RBI, a walk and five strikeouts.

Lindor went 1-for-3 with a walk, a solo home run and a stolen base in Sunday's loss to the Nationals.

The rest of the Mets' lineup couldn't get much going, but Lindor provided his fantasy managers with a tasty "combo meal" to close the first weekend of MLB action. Lindor's OPS is north of 1.000 in the early going as he looks to rebound after an underwhelming first season in Queens. He was hit by a pitch on the ear flap of his helmet Friday, but Lindor quickly cleared concussion protocols.

Abrams is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks.

Abrams started the past two games against right-handed pitchers and will take a seat in the series finale with southpaw Caleb Smith on the mound for Arizona. The rookie appears to be in the strong side of a platoon at shortstop, with Ha-Seong Kim taking the short side and starting Sunday.

Rojas is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Giants, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Rojas is 2-for-8 with a double and a run scored through the first two games of the season and will head to the bench Sunday. Joey Wendle will shift to shortstop while Brian Anderson starts at the hot corner.

Castillo is starting at second base and hitting fifth in Sunday's lineup against the Cardinals, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Castillo entered Thursday's game at third base after Ke'Bryan Hayes was forced to exit. However, Sunday will mark his first career start, and he will patrol second base while hitting fifth. Hoy Park is out of the lineup and has started only one of the team's three games early in the campaign.