MLB Player News

Hedges (hand) will start at catcher and bat eighth against the Dodgers on Monday.

Hedges sustained a hand injury toward the tail end of spring training, though X-rays came back negative. He's been cleared to make his 2026 regular-season debut Monday, allowing Bo Naylor to take a breather after the former started in three of four games in the Guardians' opening series against the Mariners. Hedges appeared in 70 regular-season games for Cleveland in 2025 and slashed .161/.250/.277 with one steal, five home runs and 10 RBI in 180 plate appearances.

The Diamondbacks recalled Fernandez from Triple-A Reno on Monday.

Fernandez was added to the 40-man roster over the offseason and this will be his first promotion to the big leagues. The 22-year-old slashed .272/.321/.454 with 17 home runs and 12 steals in 2025 at Double-A Amarillo. Fernandez could see some playing time while Pavin Smith (elbow) is out but is likely to operate more as a reserve infielder.

The Diamondbacks placed Smith (elbow) on the 10-day injured list Monday with left elbow inflammation.

Smith has been dealing with an elbow injury since spring training. An MRI last week came back negative, but Smith is dealing with inflammation that's been deemed back enough to finally force an IL move. He'll be eligible for activation April 8, but it's unclear whether Smith has a chance to be ready on that date. Ildemaro Vargas is starting at designated hitter for Arizona in Monday's game versus the Tigers and will continue to be in the mix for playing time there -- along with Tim Tawa, Jorge Barrosa and Jose Fernandez -- while Smith is shelved.

Smith is not in the lineup for Monday's contest versus the Tigers.

Smith had started each of the previous two games after overcoming a sore elbow, but he'll begin Monday's festivities on the bench. Ildemaro Vargas will serve as the designated hitter and bat eighth for the Diamondbacks.

Shaw is not in the lineup for Monday's contest against the Angels.

Shaw started each of the first two games of the season in right field, but he's been on the bench in favor of Michael Conforto for the last two tilts. All four contests have been versus right-handed pitching, and the two players could continue to share right field until Seiya Suzuki (knee) returns.

Raleigh is not in the starting lineup for Monday's game against the Yankees.

Raleigh is 2-for-15 with one double, one RBI, on stolen base and a 3:10 BB:K across his first 18 plate appearances this season. With Raleigh getting a breather against Yankees left-hander Ryan Weathers, Mitch Garver is getting the start at catcher and hitting sixth.

Murphy (hip) could begin a rehab assignment with High-A Rome later this week, Grant McAuley of the Marietta Daily Journal reports.

Murphy has rejoined Atlanta to continue rehabbing from hip surgery. He will work out with the big club early this week before participating in a simulated game with Rome on Wednesday. Murphy has not played in a game setting in nearly seven months, so he will need more than just a few rehab contests before being activated from the 10-day injured list. The 31-year-old could be ready for his season debut around the beginning of May.

Bieber (elbow) will throw off a mound Saturday, Mitch Bannon of The Athletic reports.

It will mark the first time Bieber will throw off a mound this season, as the right-hander had been limited to flat-ground work during spring training. Bieber obviously has several more hurdles to clear before he's making starts for the Blue Jays, as he needs to build his arm up and will likely require multiple rehab starts. There's a chance Bieber will be ready to pitch for Toronto sometime in May.

Strider (oblique) will travel with Atlanta on its road trip, but he remains without a timetable to begin a rehab assignment, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Strider is expected to throw a live batting practice session at some point during the team's road trip that runs from April 2 through 8, and Atlanta will have a better idea at that point when the right-hander will be ready to pitch in a game. The right-hander is eligible for activation from the 15-day injured list April 6, and while he won't be ready to return by that date, it might not be much later than that.

Mullins is not in the starting lineup for Monday's game against the Brewers.

Mullins started all three games against the Cardinals but will sit for the first time this season, as the Rays are set to face left-hander Kyle Harrison on Monday. Jonny DeLuca is batting sixth and starting in center field for Tampa Bay. Mullins is 1-for-14 at the plate with two RBI and a 0:2 BB:K to begin the 2026 campaign.