MLB Player News

Bart (hamstring) made the Giants' Opening Day roster but didn't appear off the bench in Thursday's 6-4 loss to the Padres.

Bart tweaked his right hamstring in a March 22 Cactus League game, but he was able to play in both of the Giants' Bay Bridge Series exhibition games against the Athletics on Monday and Tuesday to guarantee his availability for the start of the season. He's opening the season as the Giants' No. 3 catcher and is unlikely to see much playing time behind Patrick Bailey and Tom Murphy.

Steer started in left field and went 2-for-3 with a double, a stolen base, two RBI and two runs scored in Thursday's 8-2 win over the Nationals on Opening Day.

Steer was part of a productive lower-half of the order, which combined to go 8-for-19 and was responsible for all eight runs and RBI. He has eligibility at multiple positions, but the offseason plan was to use him primarily in the outfield. Steer led the team in home runs (23) and RBI (86) last season while stealing a fantasy-helpful 15 bases.

Fraley started in right field and went 2-for-4 with a double, a stolen base and two runs scored in Thursday's 8-2 win over Washington on Opening Day.

As usual, Fraley got the start with a right-hander throwing for the Nationals. The left-handed hitting outfielder had just 41 plate appearances against lefties in 2023. Fraley can be useful in a less-than full-time role, as evidenced by the 21 stolen bases he had last year in 111 games.

India started at second base and batted leadoff in Thursday's 8-2 win over Washington on Opening Day. He went 1-for-4 with a walk.

The Reds' planned second baseman, Matt McLain, injured his shoulder during spring training and underwent surgery Tuesday. He was placed on the 60-day injured list Thursday, which means India, who was training for a utility role, is expected to have a steady home for the first two months of the season.

Steele was removed from Thursday's game against the Rangers due to tightness in his left hamstring, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Steele was attempting to field a bunt in the fifth inning when he fell to the ground before being removed. It sounds as if he avoided serious injury, though it remains unclear if he'll be ready to take the mound for his next turn through the rotation.

Freeman went 2-for-3 with a two-run homer and an additional RBI in Thursday's 7-1 win over St. Louis.

Freeman got the scoring started Thursday with an RBI single in the first inning before cranking a two-run homer off Miles Mikolas in the third. The 34-year-old Freeman is coming off a stellar 2023 campaign where he slashed .331/.410/.567 with 29 home runs, 102 RBI and a career-high 23 steals. He has a chance to be even more productive this year, batting in the third spot behind Mookie Betts and Shohei Ohtani in a star-studded Dodgers lineup.

Goldschmidt went 3-for-4 with a solo home run in Thursday's 7-1 loss to the Dodgers.

Goldschmidt accounted for all three of the Cardinals' hits Thursday, including a fourth-inning homer off Tyler Glasnow that stood at St. Louis' lone run in the Opening Day defeat. The veteran first baseman slashed .268/.363/.447 last season with 25 home runs and 80 RBI. The Cardinals are counting on Goldschmidt to provide a similar offensive presence in the middle of their order this year.

The Cubs placed Wisdom (back) on the 10-day injured list Thursday.

According to MLB.com , manager Craig Counsell said Wisdom was able to resume baseball activities before spring training came to a close, so the veteran corner infielder might not be too far away from starting a minor-league rehab assignment. Counsell said he expects Wisdom to return from the IL around mid-April.

The Cubs placed Taillon (back) on the 15-day injured list Thursday.

Taillon resumed facing hitters earlier this week, but after failing to pitch in the Cactus League while he recovered from a back strain, he'll need some time to build up before he's ready to make his 2024 debut. He's tentatively scheduled to face hitters again Friday before potentially heading out on a minor-league rehab assignment or pitching in simulated games at extended spring training in Arizona.

Steele exited Thursday's game against the Rangers with an apparent injury to his left hamstring, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reports.

Steele moved quickly off the mound to field a bunt and suffered the injury in the process. He pitched very well prior to his exit, allowing only three hits and one earned run to go along with a walk and six strikeouts across 4.2 innings. The extent of the issue isn't currently clear.