MLB Player News

Swanson went 2-for-3 with a walk and a solo home run in Friday's 9-7 win over the Dodgers.

Swanson is off to a hot start, as he now has two home runs and a robust 1.100 OPS across seven games. The shortstop got off to a bit of a slow start in his first campaign with the Cubs last year, and while he picked things up a bit, the .744 OPS he finished with was his lowest mark since 2018. It looks like Swanson could be primed for bigger numbers in his second season in Chicago.

Busch went 1-for-3 with a walk, a solo home run and an additional run scored in Friday's 9-7 win over the Dodgers.

After tallying just two hits across his first five games of the season, Busch now has four hits over the last two contests along with his first long ball of the season. The 26-year-old doesn't have a lengthy MLB track record, but his minor-league numbers suggest that he can keep up a high level of offensive performance.

Cruz (0-1) was tagged with the loss Friday against the Mets. He allowed a run on three walks while striking out two over one inning in a 3-2 defeat.

Cruz entered a clean seventh inning and got the first out before walking three consecutive batters. He nearly escaped trouble, but a potential double-play grounder was mishandled by shortstop Elly De La Cruz. The reliever has allowed two runs one one hit and three walks while striking out eight over 4.1 innings.

Gibaut (forearm) allowed a hit and a walk while striking out three over a scoreless inning for High-A Dayton on Friday.

Gibaut began a rehab assignment with the Dragons, working into and out of a jam in the fifth inning. The right-hander dealt with a pronator strain in his right forearm during spring training and needs time to get ready for the regular season. Per Mark Sheldon of MLB.com, Gibaut's targeted return is April 20.

Espinal started at third base and went 0-for-3 with a walk and stolen base in Friday's 3-2 loss to the Mets.

Jeimer Candelario served as the designated hitter after leaving Wednesday's game with a sore elbow. It's unclear if Candelario will be limited to DH duties, but if so, Espinal could fill in at third base. He's expected to slot in somewhere anytime the Reds are facing a left-hander. Espinal is 1-for-10 with two walks and two steals through four games (three starts).

Thompson allowed a hit and struck out one over 1.1 scoreless innings in Friday's 6-5 extra-inning loss to Atlanta.

Thompson made his fifth appearance and has yet to give up a run or walk. On a night when the bullpen blew a three-run lead -- including a blown save by fill-in closer Kevin Ginkel -- Thompson's performance stood out. Thompson worked the eighth and ninth innings in his previous appearances this season before entering Friday's game in the sixth.

Mantiply allowed a walk over a scoreless inning in Friday's 6-5 extra-inning loss to Atlanta.

Mantiply's effort spanned the seventh and eighth innings and was his third straight scoreless outing after he ceded a pair of runs in his regular-season debut. The lefty could be used at any time in a game and is one of two southpaws in the bullpen.

Castro allowed one run on two hits over one-third of an inning in Friday's 6-5 extra-inning loss to Atlanta.

Castro, who entered with one out in the eighth inning and a string of righties due up, gave up a pair of doubles that started Atlanta's comeback from a 5-2 deficit. Kevin Ginkel could not hold the lead in the ninth, as the Diamondbacks didn't execute well -- pitching or fielding -- at the end of the game. The right-handed Castro is part of the setup crew and will get high-leverage appearances.

McCarthy started in right field and went 1-for-4 with a double and an RBI in Friday's 6-5 extra-inning loss to Atlanta.

McCarthy returned to the lineup after sitting out Wednesday's game, as Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo gets by without center fielder Alek Thomas -- Corbin Carroll started in center Friday. McCarthy should see action against right-handers while Thomas is unavailable, but the recently activated Randall Grichuk will be in the mix as well, particularly against lefties.

Marte went 1-for-5 with a solo home run in Friday's 6-5 extra-inning loss to Atlanta.

Marte sent the fourth pitch of the game -- a hanging slider from Spencer Strider -- over the right-center field wall. It was the second consecutive game with a home run for Marte, who continued a hot start to the season. He's slashing .353/.385/.588 with four extra-base hits, five RBI and 10 runs scored over eight games.