MLB Player News

Freeman went 1-for-5 with a walk, one RBI, a stolen base and one run scored in Saturday's 12-3 win over the Athletics.

Platoons are emerging in right field and at designated hitter, but the right-handed Freeman has started all three games in center field so far. He's done fairly well, going 3-for-12 with two RBI, two walks, two runs scored and one steal on two attempts. It's not enough to say confidently he'll be the starter in center all season -- the Athletics are a soft season-opening series for a Guardians team trying to figure out its best alignment. Still, it's encouraging Freeman is getting early at-bats, though he's yet to excel in any one area. Should Freeman stumble, Estevan Florial represents a possible platoon partner.

Urias is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Angels.

Urias started the first two games of the season but will head to the bench Sunday after going 0-for-7 with a walk, two runs and a strikeout. Jordan Westburg will shift to the hot corner while Jorge Mateo starts at second base.

Fry went 1-for-2 with two walks, two RBI, a stolen base and a run scored in Saturday's 12-3 win over the Athletics.

Fry has been in the lineup against both southpaws the Athletics have started so far, playing at designated hitter on Opening Day and at first base in Saturday's contest. He offers a right-handed option at catcher and first, though he could push for more playing time given his hot start. Fry has gone 4-for-6 with three RBI, a steal and two walks over 11 plate appearances while hitting in the middle of the order versus southpaws.

Brennan went 1-for-3 with a walk and a stolen base in Saturday's 12-3 win over the Athletics.

Brennan came into the game as a pinch hitter for Ramon Laureano once the Athletics took starter JP Sears out. It's an emerging platoon in right field for the Guardians that would see Brennan on the strong side, though he's started just one of three games so far since the Athletics have started a southpaw twice. Brennan is 2-for-7 with one RBI, a walk, a strikeout and a steal through two contests and should offer modest speed upside when he gets in the lineup.

Abreu is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Yankees due to hand soreness, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

The veteran first baseman will receive a day off after being hit by a pitch on the hand during Saturday's contest, though he's expected to be available off the bench Sunday. Abreu has gone 0-for-10 through the first three games of the season, so taking a day to reset regardless of the injury could prove beneficial.

Laureano went 1-for-2 with a double and a stolen base in Saturday's 12-3 win over the Athletics.

Laureano has started in right field against both left-handed pitchers the Guardians have faced this season. His double was his first hit of the campaign, and he's added a walk, two strikeouts and a steal. It's still early, but it appears Laureano and Will Brennan are in a strict platoon in right field. It's also possible Laureano could see some games as the designated hitter versus right-handers if his bat warms up.

Sandlin (1-0) struck out two and hit one batter in a scoreless inning to earn the win Saturday over the Athletics. He did not walk a batter or allow a hit.

Tanner Bibee was inefficient with five walks in a four-inning start. Sandlin took care of the fifth inning and was credited for the win as the Guardians' bullpen pitched five hitless innings. Sandlin has four strikeouts over two innings this season, and he's yet to walk a batter or give up a hit. He's not in the high-leverage mix for 2024, but he had a 3.75 ERA and 1.03 WHIP with 10 holds over 61 appearances in 2023.

Berti was a late addition to the lineup for Sunday's game against the Astros, and he's starting at third base and batting seventh.

Berti was expected to start Saturday before ultimately being excluded from the lineup, but the reverse happened Sunday, as he was initially absent from the starting nine. The 34-year-old will make his first start with the Yankees, as Anthony Volpe was a late scratch due to an illness.

Rooker is not in the lineup Sunday against the Guardians.

Rooker started Opening Day and Saturday as the designated hitter, but he did not start Friday. In his first nine plate appearances, the 29-year-old has a walk and no hits. Seth Brown is the designated hitter Sunday, with Esteury Ruiz starting in left field.

Volpe was scratched from the lineup for Sunday's game at Houston due to an illness, Meredith Marakovits of YES Network reports.

Volpe has hits in each of the first three games of the season and has gone 4-for-10 with a double, a homer, four walks, two RBI and three runs, but he'll sit Sunday due to some type of ailment. Jon Berti will replace him in the lineup and start at third base, pushing Oswaldo Cabrera to shortstop.