MLB Player News

Barrero is starting in center field and batting eighth for the Reds in Monday's game against the Cubs.

Barrero started his team's first two games at shortstop, sat out the third contest and is now getting his first start of the season in center field. Kevin Newman has also garnered three starts in the first four games, with two of them coming at short. It will probably be a similar disbursement of playing time between the two for a while, although Barrero should have an opportunity to earn more starts if he plays well.

Bogaerts went 1-for-4 with a two-run homer in Sunday's victory over the Rockies.

Bogaerts extended the Padres' lead to 3-0 with a two-run shot in the bottom of the third off Austin Gomber, marking the shortstop's second homer during San Diego's four-game set with Colorado. Bogaerts has recored a hit in each of his first four contests with his new squad, and four of his six knocks have gone for extra bases.

Edman went 1-for-4 with a stolen base and a run scored in Sunday's 9-4 win over the Blue Jays.

Edman's hit well through three games, going 4-for-12, though all of his hits have been singles. His steal was his first of the campaign after he went 32-for-35 on the basepaths a year ago. Edman's starting at shortstop but hitting ninth against right-handed pitchers to begin 2023, which limits his potential to pile up counting stats. He's still in consideration to be the leadoff hitter versus southpaws.

Smith is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Phillies.

Though he manned left field in both of the Rangers' first two games of the season while the Phillies brought right-handers in Aaron Nola and Zack Wheeler to the hill, the lefty-hitting Smith will take a seat Sunday with southpaw Bailey Falter toeing the rubber for Philadelphia. Ezequiel Duran checks into left field in place of Smith, who went 1-for-4 with two walks and three runs over his first two starts.

Ahmed is not in the lineup for Sunday's game versus the Dodgers.

Ahmed is 2-for-8 with a double and a run scored through three games and will step out of the lineup Sunday in Los Angeles. Geraldo Perdomo will take over at shortstop and bat eighth in the series finale.

Fletcher (abdomen) is starting at shortstop and batting ninth Sunday against the Athletics, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

The 28-year-old dealt with an abdominal injury late in spring training and will make his first start of the season in Sunday's series finale. Fletcher appears to be fully recovered from the injury and should see occasional starts while serving as a reserve infielder this year.

Swanson went 3-for-4 with a double in Saturday's 3-1 loss to the Brewers.

Swanson has gone 6-for-8 across two games with the Cubs, which is a promising start after the shortstop signed a seven-year, $177 million contract in the offseason. He had a bit of a sluggish spring training, but it looks like he's locked in to begin the regular season and should be a strong fantasy asset once again.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone told reporters before Sunday's game against the Giants that Volpe could hit leadoff at times during the 2023 season, Pete Caldera of The Bergen Record reports.

Boone mentioned that he considered moving Volpe to the top of the order for Sunday's game with DJ LeMahieu out of the lineup, but he likes the rookie shortstop hitting ninth due to his on-base ability and speed. A move to the top spot on occasion would potentially be beneficial for fantasy purposes as it would give him more plate appearances and the chance to score more runs. Even in the nine spot, Volpe has a chance to be a strong fantasy option because of his speed and Aaron Judge hitting behind him one way or another.

Story (elbow) is scheduled to begin a throwing program in two weeks, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Story will begin throwing in the middle of April, and assuming all goes well, the infielder will start a hitting program two weeks later. The 30-year-old underwent internal brace surgery in January to repair the UCL in his right elbow, and he's expected to miss at least the first half of the 2023 season. Being able to hit and throw before the end of May suggests he's at least on schedule with that timeline.

Abrams is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against Atlanta.

Abrams went 0-for-7 and committed three errors in the first two games of the season, and he'll head to the bench for Sunday's series finale. Ildemaro Vargas will take over at shortstop and bat eighth.