MLB Player News

Story (illness), who isn't available for Monday's game against the Tigers, hopes to be available Tuesday against Detroit, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Story missed Sunday's game against the Yankees due to a non-COVID illness, and he won't be available to appear off the bench in Monday's series opener in Detroit. However, he's traveling with the team and has a chance to return to action following a two-game absence. Jonathan Arauz is starting at second base and batting eighth in Monday's game.

Smith is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Rays, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Smith started each of Oakland's first three games at third base, going hitless with six strikeouts across 11 at-bats. Manager Mark Kotsay will give Sheldon Neuse a look at the position Monday, and if Neuse finds some success, Smith could end up moving into more of a timeshare at the hot corner.

Seager will start at shortstop and bat second in Monday's game against the Rockies.

Seager will hit out of the two hole for the second straight contest -- both of which have come against lefty starting pitchers -- after he previously slotted third in the order against right-handers in the first two contests. The 27-year-old has thus far lived up to the 10-year, $325 million megadeal he inked over the winter, as he's opened his tenure with the Rangers with three consecutive two-hit games while scoring three times and driving in two runs.

Crawford went 1-for-2 with a double, a walk and a run in a loss to the Twins on Sunday.

Crawford was the only other Mariner besides Mitch Haniger to record an extra-base hit in Seattle's first loss of the season, with his third-inning two-bagger setting him up to subsequently score the team's first run on Adam Frazier's single. The newly-minted shortstop has now reached safely in each of the first three games of the season, drawing a pair of walks in the opener on Friday before singling twice Saturday.

Witt will start at third base and bat second in Monday's game against the Guardians.

Witt has batted out of the No. 2 spot in each of his first four MLB games, and he's provided little reason for the Royals to move him down in the order. He was one of the few bright spots for Kansas City in Sunday's 17-3 blowout loss, going 1-for-4 with a double and two RBI.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Story (illness) won't be available for Monday's game against the Tigers, Sean McAdam of BostonSportsJournal.com reports.

While the Red Sox begin a three-game series in Detroit on Monday, Story is set to travel separately with the team while he continues to deal with a case of the flu. Cora reiterated Monday that Story's illness isn't COVID-19-related, and the fact that the prized offseason pickup is traveling with the team seemingly supports that notion. Even so, with Story already ruled out for Monday, he'll be available for no more than five of the Red Sox's six games this week, which could make it difficult for fantasy managers to justify including him in their lineups.

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.