MLB Player News

Ray (0-1) took the loss against the Yankees on Friday, allowing two runs on five hits while striking out four across 5.1 innings. He did not issue a walk.

It was relatively smooth sailing through the first five innings of Ray's start Friday. That quickly changed in the sixth, when he yielded a two-run homer to Aaron Judge, and Ray ended up taking the loss after receiving zero run support from the Giants. It was still an encouraging performance out of the veteran southpaw, especially with the way he ended the 2025 regular season (8.33 ERA and 1.77 WHIP over 27.2 innings across his final six starts of the year). Ray is projected to make his next start during the Giants' four-game home series against the Mets that kicks off Thursday.

Smith (elbow) will serve as Arizona's designated hitter and bat fifth Friday against the Dodgers.

Smith was a late scratch from Thursday's lineup due to elbow soreness. MRI results on his elbow came back clean Friday, and after feeling good following pregame batting practice, he's been given the green light to DH. The 30-year-old will aim to get off to a fast start after slashing .318/.318/.545 across 44 plate appearances in the Cactus League.

Chafin signed a minor-league contract with the Reds on Friday, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports.

Chafin was released by the Twins last Friday despite allowing just two earned runs over six innings in the Grapefruit League. The veteran lefty will now begin the regular season as organizational depth for the Reds, but he figures to have a strong chance to join Cincinnati's bullpen at some point after posting a 2.41 ERA in 33.2 frames last season.

Caissie will bat eighth and DH during Friday's game against the Rockies.

Caissie was left off the initial lineup due to the same-handed matchup against southpaw Kyle Freeland. However, Caissie will join the starting nine after Christopher Morel (oblique) was scratched. Connor Norby shifts from DH to first base, opening the DH spot for Caissie, who will be making his Marlins debut.

Morel was scratched from the lineup for Friday's game against the Rockies due to a left oblique strain, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Morel is set to undergo further evaluation, after which the Marlins will have more information regarding his status. In the meantime, Connor Norby will fill in as Miami's first baseman while Owen Caissie enters the lineup as the designated hitter.

Fermin is not in the lineup for Friday's contest versus the Tigers.

Fermin was behind the dish for Thursday's opener, but he will yield to Luis Campusano for the second game of the series. The playing time between the two catchers this season will likely tilt slightly toward Fermin.

France will start at first base and bat seventh in Friday's game versus the Tigers.

After the lefty-swinging Gavin Sheets started at first base Opening Day against southpaw Tarik Skubal, the Padres will go with the right-handed-hitting France versus lefty Framber Valdez. San Diego is expected to give Sheets plenty of run at first base against lefties this season, but France and Nick Castellanos will also be in the mix at the position.

Sheets is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Tigers.

The left-handed-hitting Sheets starting Opening Day versus lefty Tarik Skubal, going hitless in three plate appearances before being removed for a pinch hitter. He will take a seat in this one as the Tigers send southpaw Framber Valdez to the bump. Ty France is getting the call at first base for San Diego.

The Brewers acquired Keith from the Dodgers on Friday in exchange for cash considerations, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Keith spent the 2025 season at Double-A Tulsa, where he slashed .226/.296/.386 with 11 home runs and nine stolen bases over 89 contests. The 25-year-old can handle all three outfield spots and is likely to be assigned to Double-A Biloxi.

Baldwin will start at designated hitter and bat second in Friday's opener versus the Royals.

Per Mark Bowman of MLB.com, Atlanta manager Walt Weiss noted Thursday that he planned to use Baldwin at DH and Jonah Heim at catcher against left-handed pitching, and that's how things are set up Friday against Royals southpaw Cole Ragans. The left-handed-swinging Baldwin had virtually even splits in his rookie season, slashing .299/.358/.460 against lefties and .267/.336/.472 versus righties. Being used in the DH slot on days he doesn't catch is a big boost to Baldwin's outlook for counting stats.