MLB Player News

Baldwin went 1-for-4 with a walk and a solo home run in Friday's 6-0 win over the Royals.

The reigning NL Rookie of the Year got hold of a 93.4-mph fastball from Cole Ragans in the third inning, giving Atlanta its second of three long balls on the night against the left-hander. Baldwin slugged 19 homers in 124 games in his MLB debut last year, and expectations are sky high for the 25-year-old in 2026 as he figures to be a near-everyday player while splitting his time between catcher and DH.

Loaisiga struck out one over 1.1 scoreless and hitless innings in Friday's 5-4 loss to the Dodgers.

Loaisiga retired all four batters faced in his Arizona debut. He finished out the fifth inning by striking out Kyle Tucker and induced an infield pop out and two groundouts in a 1-2-3 sixth. There's room to move in a bullpen that doesn't have a set closer, and Loaisiga could emerge as a late-inning option.

Sale (1-0) picked up the win in Friday's 6-0 shutout of the Royals, giving up three hits and three walks over six scoreless innings. He struck out six.

The veteran southpaw was dominant to kick off the 2026 campaign, firing 54 of 88 pitches for strikes while not allowing an extra-base hit. Sale has yet to make 30 starts in a season for Atlanta, taking the mound 50 total times in his two years with the club, but the results when he's been available have been generally outstanding -- he's delivered a 2.46 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 390:71 K:BB in 303.1 innings. Sale will look to keep rolling at home against the A's next week in his next scheduled start.

Fairbanks gave up a hit and struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning Friday to record his first save of the season in a 2-1 win over the Rockies.

The Marlins' new closer allowed a one-out single to T.J. Rumfield, but he induced weak contact from Jordan Beck and Brenton Doyle to end the night. Fairbanks racked up 75 saves over the last three seasons for the Rays before inking a one-year, $13 million deal with the Marlins in December, and his ability to stay healthy might be the only thing standing between him and his first career 30-save campaign.

Ginkel (0-1) allowed one run on two hits over one inning, picking up the loss in Friday's game against the Dodgers.

Ginkel was handed a tough assignment in his first appearance of the season, entering a tie game in the eighth inning with a switch hitter and two lefties due up. The Diamondbacks have an all-righty bullpen, and manager Torey Lovullo tabbed Ginkel as one of the relievers designated to get lefties. He gave up a leadoff double to Alex Freeland and a run-scoring single to Kyle Tucker two batters later. Ginkel will be part of a late-game crew along with Ryan Thompson, who pitched the seventh inning Friday, and Paul Sewald, who has yet to pitch.

Alcantara (1-0) allowed an unearned run on four hits and two walks over seven innings in Friday's 2-1 win over Colorado. He struck out five.

The veteran right-hander didn't give up an extra-base hit in an impressive effort to begin the season, firing 49 of 73 pitches for strikes. Alcantara struggled early last season in his return from Tommy John surgery, but he seemed to turn a corner in August, posting a 2.68 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 52:10 K:BB over his final eight starts and 53.2 innings in 2025. He seems to have carried that form into 2026, and his next outing lines up to be a clash with the White Sox at home next week.

Freeland (0-1) took the loss Friday as the Rockies fell 2-1 to the Marlins, giving up two runs on five hits and two walks over 4.1 innings. He struck out two.

The veteran southpaw limited the damage against him, but Freeland needed 81 pitches (53 strikes) to record 13 outs before getting lifted. Freeland's been a fairly reliable innings eater for Colorado, averaging 27 starts and about 145.1 innings over the last five seasons, but his 4.82 ERA and 1.43 WHIP during that time aren't just a product of calling Coors Field home. He lines up to make his next start on the road next week against the Blue Jays.

Thompson threw a scoreless seventh inning in Friday's 5-4 loss to the Dodgers.

Thompson made quick work of the Dodgers, needing just seven pitches (all strikes) to retire the side in order. He's worked both regular-season games thus far and has retired all six batters faced. The right-hander is in the mix for save opportunities and will generally appear in high-leverage situations.

Smith started at designated hitter and went 0-for-2 with two walks and a run scored in Friday's 5-4 loss to the Dodgers.

Smith returned from an elbow issue that got him scratched from Thursday's season opener. The lefty batter should be in the lineup whenever Arizona faces a right-hander, either at DH or first base. The switch-hitting Carlos Santana has started the first two games at first base.

Thomas went 2-for-3 with two doubles, a walk, three RBI and one stolen base in Friday's 5-4 loss to the Dodgers.

Thomas did some damage from the No. 8 spot in the order in this contest to avenge his 0-for-3 performance to open the season Thursday. The outfielder looks to be the early favorite for time in center field, though he and Jordan Lawlar may swap between left and center at times. Thomas went 10-for-31 (.323) with six extra-base hits in spring training, and if he can keep the bat hot earlier in the year, he should find himself in an everyday role. He slashed .249/.289/.370 with nine home runs, 19 doubles, three triples, 38 RBI, 51 runs scored and seven stolen bases over 469 plate appearances in the 2025 regular season.