MLB Player News

Turang is not in the lineup for Friday's season opener against the Mets.

Turang will begin the season as the Brewers' primary second baseman, but he's out of the starting nine for Opening Day since lefty Jose Quintana is pitching for New York. Joey Ortiz is manning the keystone while Andruw Monasterio starts at third base.

Chourio is starting in right field and batting leadoff for Friday's opener against the Mets.

He will surely bat lower in the order against right-handers, but with lefty Jose Quintana on the bump for the Mets, Chourio gets the call at the top of the lineup in his major-league debut. The 20-year-old will also play some center field for the Brewers but will be in right field for this one.

Frelick is out of the lineup for Friday's season opener against the Mets.

The 23-year-old will begin the season as Milwaukee's primary center fielder against right-handed pitching, but he's on the bench for Opening Day with southpaw Jose Quintana on the mound for New York. Blake Perkins is starting in center field and batting sixth in Frelick's place.

Nootbaar (ribs) is expected to hit against Sonny Gray (hamstring) in a simulated game Friday, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Nootbaar began light hitting this past weekend and has now progressed to facing game-speed pitching. It's not clear whether he will be asked to play any rehab games before being activated, but Nootbaar would seem to have a good chance to return when first eligible April 4. The outfielder is coming back from two non-displaced fractures in his left ribcage.

Gray (hamstring) will throw a simulated game at the Cardinals' spring training complex Friday, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

It's the next step for the right-hander as he continues to work his way back from a right hamstring strain. Among the hitters Gray will face in the sim game will be fellow rehabber Lars Nootbaar (ribs). Gray might be ready for a minor-league rehab game next week if things go well Friday, although that has not been confirmed. The hope remains that he could need only a minimum stay on the injured list, which would mean a return April 9.

Stewart is starting at designated hitter and batting sixth Friday against the Brewers, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports.

The Mets have some at-bats available at DH on a short-term basis as J.D. Martinez ramps up after signing late, and Stewart looks like he'll receive the bulk of them versus righties. Stewart collected an .840 OPS with 11 home runs in a 58-game sample for the Mets last season, with 10 of those 11 homers coming off right-handers.

McNeil is starting at second base and batting cleanup in Friday's opener versus the Brewers, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports.

McNeil is an atypical choice for the cleanup spot given that he's hit more than 10 home runs just one time in six seasons. It's a nice boost for his fantasy outlook if he sticks there, however, as Brandon Nimmo, Francisco Lindor and Pete Alonso are batting ahead of him and should provide plenty of RBI chances.

Thomas started in center field and batted eighth Thursday, going 2-for-5 with a double, an RBI and a run scored in a 16-1 win over the Rockies on Opening Day.

The 23-year-old struggled against left-handers last season, but he got the start against Kyle Freeland to kick off 2024 with Randal Grichuk (ankle) on the IL to begin the year. Thomas had one hit in three plate appearances total against southpaws Thursday, but it's unclear if the Diamondbacks plan a strict platoon with him, as had just 81 plate appearances against left-handers in 2023. Until Grichuk gets healthy though, Arizona doesn't have an outfielder on its bench who hits from the right side.

Alexander went 2-for-5 with an RBI in Thursday's 16-1 win over Colorado on Opening Day.

Alexander started at designated hitter and batted seventh against left-hander Kyle Freeland in his MLB debut after beating out Emmanuel Rivera for the final bench spot. He also played shortstop for the final inning. Diamondbacks general manager Mike Hazen earlier this spring indicated a preference for the 24-year-old Alexander to get regular at-bats, but that may not happen on the major-league roster with the lefty-hitting Joc Pederson expected to be in the starting lineup against righties. Arizona faces right-hander Cal Quantrill on Friday, which could give an indication of how manager Torey Lovullo plans to use Alexander.

Conforto went 3-for-4 with a double, a solo home run and two additional runs scored during Thursday's loss to the Padres.

Conforto tagged closer Robert Suarez for a solo homer with two outs in the ninth inning and fell one triple shy of an Opening Day cycle. Tabbed as the Giants' everyday left fielder, Conforto should have ample opportunity to make fantasy contributions after slashing .239/.334/.384 with 58 runs scored and 58 RBI in 2023.