MLB Player News

Taylor is starting in center field and batting seventh in Thursday's opener versus the Astros.

Taylor and Jose Siri could split reps in center field fairly evenly for the Mets, but it was Taylor getting the first crack at the position Opening Day. The 31-year-old collected a .701 OPS with seven homers and 11 steals across 130 regular-season contests for the Mets last season.

Rodriguez will start at first base and bat seventh in Thursday's opener against the Marlins.

Rodriguez is the backup catcher behind Joey Bart, but he will also see ample time at first base while Spencer Horwitz (wrist) is on the shelf. Jared Triolo -- who likely represents Rodriguez's primary competitor for playing time at first base -- will begin Thursday's game on the bench.

Smith isn't in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Cubs, Aaron Hughes of SI.com reports.

Smith is expected to receive the bulk of starts at DH while working in a platoon with Randal Grichuk. However, a matchup against lefty Justin Steele on Thursday will keep Smith in the dugout while Grichuk enters the lineup and bats seventh.

Herz will receive a second opinion on his injured left elbow from Dr. Keith Meister in Dallas, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Herz has been diagnosed with a sprained UCL, and he will determine after his visit with Dr. Meister whether to undergo surgery or attempt to rest and rehab the injury. If the southpaw does go under the knife, he could be sidelined until around the middle of next season.

Conforto isn't in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Tigers.

The lefty-hitting Conforto will take a seat for the start of the Dodgers' stateside schedule with formidable southpaw Tarik Skubal set to start on the hill for Detroit. Andy Pages will move over to left field as a result, putting Tommy Edman in center field and Miguel Rojas at the keystone.

Kopech (shoulder) said Thursday that he feels food and is ramping back up his throwing program, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

The forearm issue Kopech came into camp with felt good early on in spring training, but he developed a shoulder problem because he ramped up his throwing too quickly, which sent him to the injured list. He also was delayed at one point due to a stomach bug. Kopech appears to be getting back on track now, but there's no timetable for his return.

Suarez (back) will throw a 25-pitch bullpen session Saturday, Lochlahn March of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Suarez will throw off the bump for the first time since he developed lower-back stiffness following an intrasquad appearance in mid-March. The lefty will continue to build up as his health allows, with a return from the injured list before the end of April possible if all goes well. Taijuan Walker will hold down a spot in the Phillies rotation until Suarez is cleared to make his 2025 debut.

Hernandez is not expected to be available for the Dodgers' domestic opener Thursday against the Tigers due to the flu, Buster Olney of ESPN reports.

Hernandez is not in the lineup versus lefty Tarik Skubal, and it sounds like he probably won't be available off the bench, either. Consider the utility player day-to-day.

The Dodgers transferred Sheehan (elbow) to the 60-day injured list Thursday.

The transaction frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for the addition of Noah Davis. Sheehan will be sidelined until around midseason as he continues his rehab from an internal brace procedure.

The Dodgers acquired Davis from the Red Sox on Thursday in exchange for cash considerations, selected his contract from Triple-A Oklahoma City and optioned him to Oklahoma City.

Davis exercised the upward mobility clause in his minor-league deal with the Red Sox and will now join the Dodgers' 40-man roster. The 27-year-old has a career 7.71 ERA over 17 appearances at the big-league level, but the Dodgers apparently see potential in the righty.