MLB Player News

Triolo will start at second base and bat leadoff Tuesday versus the Tigers, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Triolo hadn't previously batted higher than sixth this season, but he's perched atop the batting order in this one against righty Casey Mize while Oneil Cruz gets a breather. The 26-year-old is hitting .275/.356/.375 in his first 10 games this season.

Ozuna went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run Monday against the Mets.

Ozuna tagged Mets' starter Julio Teheran in the third inning for the two-run shot, continuing the outfielders' monstrous start to 2024. He's now tied with Mike Trout, Mookie Betts and Tyler O'Neill for the most long balls in MLB and is part of a four-way tie for the third-most RBI (12).

Cruz is absent from the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Tigers, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

It's Cruz's second day off of the season and his first versus a right-hander. He had batted leadoff in each of the previous six contest against righties. Jared Triolo will be at the top of the order Tuesday, while Alika Williams gets a start at shortstop.

Morton (1-0) didn't factor into the decision Monday, allowing four runs on five hits and five walks over 5.2 innings. He struck out four.

Morton's walks came back to bite him, with three of his four earned runs scored by players he walked on base. Most of the damage came in the fifth, when Morton opened up the inning by issuing a pair of free passes before Brandon Nimmo launched a three-run home run. Even with Monday's struggles, Morton owns a solid 3.18 ERA across 11.1 innings after blanking the White Sox in his 2024 debut.

Betts made his 10th appearance of the season at shortstop in Monday's game against the Twins.

It's a notable number because it means Betts will now have shortstop eligibility if your fantasy league uses a 10-game in-season threshold. Betts, of course, already has second base and outfield eligibility, as well. The 31-year-old is slashing a robust .375/.508/.792 with five home runs and two stolen bases in the early going.

Garcia went 1-for-4 with an RBI and a stolen base in Monday's win over the Giants.

The 23-year-old swiped his first bag of the year on the back end of a double steal with Trey Lipscomb in the second inning. Garcia came into the season with a very tenuous grip on the starting job at second base, but so far he's risen to the occasion, batting .321 (9-for-28) with five doubles, four RBI and three runs scored. He hasn't hit higher than eighth in the order, however, so even if he does begin to put things together in 2024, his fantasy ceiling is capped unless he can earn a better spot in the lineup.

Vargas went 1-for-2 with three walks, a double, a run scored and two RBI in Monday's win over the Giants.

Getting the start at shortstop with CJ Abrams (finger) sidelined, Vargas continued a hot start to the season that has seen him go 7-for-20 (.350) with three doubles, three RBI, three runs, a stolen base and an impressive 5:2 BB:K. The 32-year-old utility player has already seen action at four different positions this season -- four games at second base, three at shortstop, and one each at third base and left field -- and even once Abrams returns to the lineup, Vargas might see more playing time than expected as long as he's contributing at the plate.

Lawrence allowed one walk and no hits while striking out two across a scoreless inning Monday against the Diamondbacks.

Lawrence entered the game in the eighth inning to face the fourth, fifth and sixth batters in the Arizona lineup with the Rockies up by two. While he was effective, the team opted not to use him for two innings and thus bypassed him for a save chance. Lawrence has now turned in scoreless efforts in three of his four appearances this season, and he could continue to appear in the most high-leverage scenarios rather than exclusively in save situations.

Lopez gave up a run on two hits in the ninth inning Monday to record his first save of the season in an 8-7 victory over Atlanta.

Per Will Sammon of The Athletic, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza had indicated Edwin Diaz, Adam Ottavino and Brooks Raley were all getting the night off due to their heavy workload early in the season, which pushed the team's other bullpen arms into high-leverage spots. Lopez got the call in the ninth to protect a two-run lead, and while his ability to close things out looked dicey when Matt Olson led off the frame with a double, the right-hander was able to escape the jam. Lopez did record 23 saves with a 2.54 ERA in a breakout 2022 before crashing back to earth last season, but he's had a solid start to the current campaign, picking up a hold as well as Monday's save over six appearances with a 3.18 ERA and 4:3 K:BB in 5.2 innings. He's unlikely to see many more save chances, but as a bridge to the Mets' usual late-inning crew, the 31-year-old could rack up double-digit holds for the second straight season.

The Dodgers outrighted Lamet to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Monday after he cleared waivers.

Lamet was removed from the 40-man roster after making three appearances for the Dodgers, but he will remain in the organization. The righty will presumably be used in relief at OKC.