MLB Player News

Witt went 0-for-4 during Saturday's loss to the Twins.

Witt has yet to pick up a hit in his first two games of the season. There's obviously plenty of time left in the season, but it's possible there's some rust to shake off after not getting regular playing time for Team USA during the World Baseball Classic in March. There's no reason to panic at this point, but it's a disappointing start for one of the most talented players in baseball.

Grissom went 1-for-3 with two walks, a triple, three runs scored and a stolen base in Gwinnett's Opening Day win over Jacksonville on Friday.

Getting the start at shortstop and hitting second, Grissom flashed the offensive talent that allowed him to make an impact as a rookie last year for Atlanta. However, he also committed a fielding error, and his defense is what kept him from winning the starting shortstop job in the majors to begin 2023. Braden Shewmake, who was also in the thick of the spring battle for that job, went 1-for-5 with four strikeouts and a walkoff three-run home run as Gwinnett's second baseman. If Grissom can demonstrate some consistency with his glove at Triple-A, he's still likely Atlanta's first choice for promotion should a spot open up with the big club's infield.

Smith will start in left field and bat ninth in Saturday's game against Philadelphia.

Smith is making his second straight start in left field, both coming against right-handers. He was projected for utility work, but center fielder Leody Taveras' oblique injury forced manager Bruce Bochy to adjust the outfield. For the second straight game, Adolis Garcia starts in center and be flanked by Smith in left and Robbie Grossman in right. The Phillies are scheduled to throw left-hander Bailey Falter on Sunday, which will offer a glimpse into Bochy's lineup preferences against southpaws. Bubba Thompson could enter the starting nine in place of Smith in Sunday's series finale.

Shewmake went 1-for-5 with a three-run, walkoff home run in Triple-A Gwinnett's Opening Day win over Jacksonville on Friday.

Getting the start at second base and hitting third for the Stripers, Shewmake took Robert Garcia deep in the bottom of the ninth inning to break open a 5-5 tie. The heroics salvaged what started out as a rough night at the plate for Shewmake, as he struck out in his other four at-bats. After nearly winning the starting shortstop job for Atlanta in spring training, the 25-year-old is a phone call away if a vacancy opens up on the big-league infield, but he'll need to prove at Triple-A he's a better option than Vaughn Grissom, who reached base three times Friday, scored three runs and stole a base but also committed an error at shortstop.

Perdomo started at shortstop and went 0-for-1 with a walk in Friday's 2-1 win over the Dodgers.

Perdomo made his season debut after Nick Ahmed got the Opening Day start at short. The former was eventually removed in the eighth inning for pinch hitter Evan Longoria, who doubled and scored. Perdomo and Ahmed will share shortstop but not necessarily as a strict right-lefty platoon.

Anderson went 2-for-4 with a walk, a run scored and a stolen base in Friday's loss to the Astros.

The star shortstop scored on Eloy Jimenez's first-inning double after walking and swiping second base. Anderson has collected four hits while reaching base in six of his 10 plate appearances through two games. He's off to a strong start in his quest for a fifth consecutive season with a batting average over .300.

Bogaerts is batting leadoff for the Padres on Friday night against the Rockies.

Bogaerts hit cleanup in Thursday's season opener with right-hander German Marquez on the mound for Colorado, and he will now jump to the very top of the order Friday versus left-hander Kyle Freeland. The 30-year-old shortstop could get regular leadoff looks against southpaws until Fernando Tatis Jr. returns from his PED suspension.

Crawford (foot) went 1-for-2 with a walk and a run in the Mariners' win over the Guardians on Thursday.

Crawford slotted into his usual starting shortstop role as expected Opening Day after completing his recovery from a sore foot, and he made an impact by drawing a leadoff walk in the eighth inning of what was a scoreless game at that point. Crawford eventually came around to score on Ty France's three-run home run, which proved the difference in the contest. Crawford is likely to remain in or near the No. 9 spot he hit out of Thursday for the time being, but it's worth noting the 28-year-old hit all across the order in 2022, including 119 plate appearances in the leadoff spot.

Ahmed isn't in the Diamondbacks' lineup Friday against the Dodgers.

After doubling and scoring a run Thursday, Ahmed will take a seat Friday in favor of Geraldo Perdomo, who will start at shortstop and bat ninth.

Diaz went 2-for-3 with an RBI single and a walk in the Athletics' win over the Angels on Thursday.

He and Seth Brown were the only two players with multiple hits for the Athletics in the pitchers' duel, and Diaz reached base a team-high three times overall. His eighth-inning single snapped a 1-1 tie, plating Tony Kemp with what turned out to be the winning run. Diaz drew the start at shortstop Thursday, but he's projected to see time at second base and third base as well over the course of the season.