MLB Player News

Flores went 1-for-4 with a three-run home run in Thursday's 6-4 victory over the Reds.

Flores delivered the decisive blow in San Francisco's season-opening win with a three-run, go-ahead blast off Ian Gibaut in the top of the ninth inning. The 33-year-old was initially expected to fill the short side of a platoon this season, though he got the Opening Day nod at designated hitter after Jerar Encarnacion (hand) landed on the injured list. Flores should see regular playing time with Encarnacion expected to miss at least a month of action. Injuries limited the veteran Flores to 71 games last season, when he slashed .206/.277/.318 with four home runs and 25 RBI.

Grichuk started at designated hitter and went 1-for-2 in Thursday's 10-6 loss to the Cubs.

Arizona is expected to use a platoon at the DH spot, with Grichuk facing lefties and Pavin Smith handling righties. That played out Thursday, as Grichuk was eventually pinch hit for by Smith in the sixth inning when right-hander Nate Pearson entered the game. Chicago will send right-hander Jameson Taillon to the mound Friday, so expect Grichuk to be on the bench.

Albies went 1-for-5 with a two-run homer and an additional RBI in Thursday's 7-4 loss to the Padres.

Albies opened the scoring in the first inning with an RBI fielder's choice before putting Atlanta ahead 3-2 in the fourth with a 413-foot blast off Michael King. The biggest question for Albies will be health in 2025 -- the 28-year-old second baseman was limited to 99 games last season, during which he slashed .251/.303/.404 with 10 homers and eight stolen bases.

McCarthy started in center field and went 0-for-3 with an RBI in Thursday's 10-6 loss to the Cubs.

McCarthy got the start over Alek Thomas with the Cubs sending left-hander Justin Steele to the mound in Thursday's season opener. McCarthy and Thomas will share the position and, since both bat from the left side, it won't be a true platoon. Thomas' glove, which is considered better than McCarthy's, could give him the edge for playing time in the long run.

Sheets went 1-for-1 with a solo home run in Thursday's 7-4 win over Atlanta.

Sheets was not in the starting lineup against left-hander Chris Sale. He entered as a pinch-hitter for Brandon Lockridge in the seventh inning and launched a game-tying homer off Hector Neris that kick-started San Diego's comeback victory. Sheets picked up where he left off in spring training, when he slashed .311/.367/.756 with six homers. The former White Sox player figures to see regular playing time for the Friars against right-handed pitching as long as he's slugging.

Thomas did not start Thursday's season opener against the Cubs.

Jake McCarthy started in center field against Chicago left-hander Justin Steele. Thomas has a history of unsatisfactory results against southpaws, so him sitting is not unexpected. It's unclear if he'll be the automatic starter against right-handers, but manager Torey Lovullo may want his elite glove in the lineup as much as possible. McCarthy was unable to hold onto Miguel Amaya's fading liner in the fifth inning, turning it into a key three-run double.

Tatis went 3-for-4 with two runs scored and two stolen bases in Thursday's 7-4 win over Atlanta.

It was an impressive opener for Tatis out of the leadoff spot as he spearheaded the Padres to an Opening Day victory. The 26-year-old outfielder slashed .276/.340/.492 with 21 homers and 11 steals in 102 games last season, and staying healthy will be Tatis' first priority in 2025.

Suarez went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and an additional run scored in Thursday's 10-6 loss to the Cubs.

Suarez got all of a Justin Steele changeup in the bottom of the second inning to pull the Diamondbacks within a run. He was later hit by a pitch and scored on a sacrifice fly. The third baseman is looking to avoid a season-starting slump like the one that nearly cost Suarez his starting job last year, although he wound up putting together his best numbers since 2019 once he got going.

Hayes went 1-for-4 with two stolen bases Thursday against the Marlins.

Hayes helped create some offense for Pittsburgh in the fifth inning, reaching base on a single with two outs. He proceeded to steal both second and third base, the latter of which was on a double steal. Hayes has been a fantasy disappointment for much of his career, though he has the potential for stolen base upside at an atypical position.

Nootbaar went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run and two runs scored Thursday against the Twins.

Nootbaar batted primarily sixth in the order in 2024, though he appears to be the team's primary leadoff option against right-handed pitching to begin this season. He led off the opening frame with a single and came around to score, and he delivered his first home run of the season one frame later.