MLB Player News

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.

Marte went 2-for-5 with a solo home run in Friday's 5-4 loss to the Dodgers.

Marte had lower-leg soreness late in the spring, but he's been good to go at second base for the first two games of the regular season. He went 0-for-4 on Thursday, but he was able to make a positive impact Friday with his solo shot off Emmet Sheehan in the third inning. Marte has racked up a total of 89 homers over the last three seasons, making him a premier power option at a very thin position in fantasy. That said, he'll have fewer RBI chances from the leadoff spot, where he's hit in both games so far, and he hasn't logged double-digit stolen bases since 2019.

Nelson allowed four runs on two hits and three walks while striking out four over 4.2 innings in a no-decision versus the Dodgers on Friday.

Alex Freeland tagged Nelson for a solo home run and Mookie Betts added a three-run blast. Nelson threw 50 of 83 pitches for strikes in his season debut after working to a 3.18 ERA and 23:2 K:BB across 17 innings over five starts in spring training. He was a pleasant surprise in 2025 with a 3.39 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 132:41 K:BB over 154 innings across 33 appearances (23 starts) during the regular season. Nelson looks to be set as a full-time starter in 2026 and could eat his fair share of innings, but he doesn't have a lot of strikeout potential after posting a 7.7 K/9 last year. He is projected to make a home start versus Atlanta next week.

Tucker went 1-for-3 with a walk, an RBI, a stolen base and a run scored in Friday's 5-4 win over the Diamondbacks.

Tucker has settled into the No. 2 spot in the lineup, nestled between Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts. With at least 25 steals in three of the last four regular seasons and no fewer than 22 homers in any of the last five years, Tucker should bring balanced production in his first campaign with the Dodgers. He's 2-for-7 with two walks and two RBI through two games so far, and he should be a big source of counting stats in one of the most potent offenses in the majors.

Freeland went 2-for-3 with a solo home run, a double and a second run scored in Friday's 5-4 win over the Diamondbacks.

Freeland made his first start of the season at second base after Miguel Rojas got the nod at the keystone for Opening Day. Over 97 regular-season plate appearances in 2025, Freeland posted a .190/.292/.310 slash line with two home runs, six RBI, 10 runs scored and a stolen base. He'll have an extended audition early in the season while Tommy Edman (ankle) is on the shelf. With the Dodgers' outfield mix set and Edman likely to see his time at second base once healthy, Freeland will need to perform well to stick around on the major-league roster as a potential utility bat. Hyeseong Kim may also be the mix for time at second base eventually, which could make it difficult for Freeland to carve out enough playing time to help in most fantasy formats.

Betts went 1-for-4 with a three-run home run in Friday's 5-4 win over the Diamondbacks.

Betts gave the Dodgers a short-lived lead in the third inning with his first homer of the season. The 33-year-old is 2-for-8 with four RBI and one strikeout over his first two games of the season. Betts is operating as the Dodgers' everyday shortstop for the second year in a row. He's looking to bounce back from a somewhat difficult 2025 regular season, in which he posted a career-worst .732 OPS with 20 home runs, 82 RBI, 95 runs scored and eight stolen bases over 150 contests. He should get some positive regression, as his .258 BABIP last year was also a career low, though gains in luck could be partially offset by some age-related drops in terms of skills.

Diaz walked one and struck out two over a scoreless and hitless inning to earn the save in Friday's 5-4 win over the Diamondbacks.

Diaz was able to pitch around a one-out walk to Alek Thomas, who stole second but was stranded there. In the 2025 regular season, Diaz came up short of the 30-save mark for the second year in a row with the Mets, but his move to the Dodgers in the offseason gives him significant upside to get back to that threshold in 2026. While he is the clear closer to begin the year, any extended struggles by Diaz could see Alex Vesia or Tanner Scott work their way into the mix for ninth-inning work in what should be a deep bullpen for the two-time defending champions.

Sheehan allowed four runs on five hits and two walks while striking out six over 3.1 innings in a no-decision versus the Diamondbacks on Friday.

Sheehan's season debut wasn't great, as Arizona was able to work his pitch count up early. He gave up an RBI double to Alek Thomas in the second inning and a solo home run to Ketel Marte in the third. Sheehan was pulled in the fourth when Thomas was set to come back up to the plate, but reliever Jack Dreyer gave up a two-run double to tack on more runs to Sheehan's line. Sheehan had some troubles in the spring with an 11:6 K:BB across 10.2 innings while pitching to a 5.91 ERA, but he was able to earn a rotation spot anyway. The right-hander is likely on a short leash, though he may stick as a starter if the Dodgers go to a six-man rotation at some point. Sheehan will look to rebound in his next projected start, which is tentatively lined up to be on the road versus the Nationals next week.

King allowed one unearned run on one hit and four walks while striking out six over five-plus innings in a no-decision versus the Tigers on Friday.

King pitched fairly well despite throwing a modest 46 of 82 pitches for strikes in his season debut. The 30-year-old had some trouble with free passes, which is a carryover from spring training, when he walked seven batters over 17.2 innings while pitching to a 10.19 ERA. His control was fine last year with a 3.2 BB/9 over 73.1 innings across 15 regular-season starts, but he also had a 9.3 K/9 that was his worst since his 2021 campaign as a swingman with the Yankees. King battled shoulder and knee injuries late in 2025, but he looks healthy to start 2026. He is projected to make his second start of the campaign on the road in Boston.