MLB Player News

McKinstry went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored in Saturday's 7-3 loss to the Dodgers.

McKinstry paced Detroit's offense from the leadoff spot, collecting a third of the team's hits and runs. The 30-year-old has seen action in all three of the Tigers' games so far, with starts in the last two, and he's already seen action at second base, third base and shortstop. McKinstry doesn't figure to play much when southpaws are on the hill, but he appears to have a regular lineup spot secured against righties and can play a number of defensive positions when he's called upon.

Taveras went 1-for-3 with a stolen base and a run scored in Saturday's 4-3 win over Boston.

Taveras used his legs to set up the game-winning run in the fifth inning. He beat out a bunt for a hit, stole second base and scored on a Marcus Semien single. It was the second steal in as many games for Taveras, who appears to be on the strong side of a platoon in center field. Kevin Pillar started against the lone lefty the Rangers have faced through three games.

Duran entered to play third base after Josh Smith (quadriceps) was removed in the first inning of Saturday's 4-3 win over the Red Sox. He went 0-for-4.

Smith had been filling in for Josh Jung (neck spasms), who was given the day off. Jung is expected to miss a few days, which could lead to Duran starting at third for Sunday's series finale against Boston, and maybe Monday's game in Cincinnati as well if Smith's quad injury lingers.

Rogers went 1-for-4 with a triple and a run scored in Saturday's 7-3 loss to the Dodgers.

After sitting out Friday's contest, Rogers returned to the lineup and contributed his first triple of the season. It was just the catcher's fifth career triple, as he's not known for his speed. Rogers figures to make his mark with power after hitting a total of 31 home runs over the past two years. Detroit has alternated starts behind the plate between Rogers and Dillon Dingler to begin the season.

Paris went 1-for-2 with a stolen base after entering Saturday's win against the White Sox in the fifth inning for Jo Adell (hip).

Adell grabbed at his left hip after beating out an infield single and was promptly removed from the game. Paris entered and stole second base, though he was left stranded there, and played the rest of the game in center field, where Adell had been stationed. It's unclear if Adell will need to miss more time -- he said after the game that he expects to "be OK," per Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register -- but if he does, Paris could log some starts in the outfield in his place.

Schneemann started at second base and went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts in Saturday's 4-3 loss to Kansas City.

The lefty-hitting Schneemann handled second base against a right-hander, after the righty-hitting Gabriel Arias started Opening Day against a lefty. It's unclear if the keystone will be a strict platoon, but it would juice Schneemann's fantasy viability if it is. Depending on the state of Jose Ramirez's wrist, both Schneemann and Arias could be in the lineup for Sunday's series finale against the Royals.

Arias entered to play third base after Jose Ramirez (wrist) was removed from Saturday's 4-3 loss to the Royals. He grounded out in his lone at-bat.

Ramirez injured his wrist on an attempted steal in the third inning and eventually left the game in the fifth. Either Arias or Daniel Schneemann can fill in if Ramirez needs a few days off. Arias, who started at second base Opening Day, was on the bench to start Saturday's game while Schneemann handled the keystone.

Williams didn't factor into the decision in Saturday's 4-3 loss to the Royals. He went five innings, allowing two runs on four hits and a walk, striking out two.

Williams was electric in spring training, pitching to a 2.08 ERA over 17.1 innings with 26 strikeouts and just four walks, but he was not as crisp in his first regular-season start to open the year. He pitched to contact versus Kansas City and recorded an uninspiring two strikeouts while being pulled after just 74 pitches. The early hook prevented a chance at a quality start, and he could not nab a win either as his bullpen let him down in the 4-3 loss. He is tentatively lined up for a favorable matchup next week on the road against the Angels.

Lugo did not factor into the decision in Saturday's 4-3 win over Cleveland. He allowed three runs, four hits and three walks over five innings. He struck out four.

Lugo ran into trouble to open the second inning, allowing three consecutive hits to open the frame as Cleveland took a 1-0 lead. His control faded in the third inning with back-to-back walks to Steven Kwan and Jose Ramirez, with Kwan coming around to score on a sacrifice fly. After a clean fourth, Lugo allowed a homer to Kwan in the fifth inning, which gave the Guardians a 3-1 lead. He avoided the loss thanks to his offense, which rallied in the middle stages of the game to secure the 4-3 win. Lugo was outstanding a year ago with a 3.00 ERA over 206.2 regular-season innings, so this could be just a bump in the road after he gave up more than two runs only once over his last eight regular/postseason starts in 2024. He will look for his first win in 2025 when he tentatively goes against Baltimore next week.

Estevez (save) threw one inning Saturday against the Guardians, earning the save and striking out one batter.

Nursing a one-run lead, Estevez walked Kyle Manzardo on five pitches to open the bottom of the ninth inning, but he settled down to retire the next three batters he faced, preserving the 4-3 Kansas City win. Estevez should see the bulk of the save chances for the Royals, though setup man Lucas Erceg is also a quality candidate for saves.