MLB Player News

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo indicated Thursday that Sewald is likely to get the first chance to serve as the team's closer, Cameron Cox of 12 News in Arizona reports.

When asked who will be the team's closer, Lovullo noted that Sewald has been a "very back end" reliever for a "long time" and "I'd be foolish not to strongly consider him" as closer. Lovullo did not mention any other relievers by name, only adding that Sewald will not be able to pitch every day, so the club will need "understudies" if Sewald is the closer. While Sewald looks like the clear early favorite for saves in the Diamondbacks bullpen, Kevin Ginkel and Ryan Thompson could also be in the mix. Sewald held a 4.58 ERA and 20:6 K:BB between the Guardians and Tigers during an injury-shortened 2025 season.

Frazier is absent from the lineup for Thursday's opener in Houston.

It's right-hander Hunter Brown on the bump for the Astros, but the left-handed-hitting Frazier will yield to righty Oswald Peraza at second base. There's a good chance the two will wind up sharing the position rather than operating in a straight platoon.

The Astros announced Wednesday that Matthews won a spot on the Opening Day roster.

Matthews is set to begin the season as a utility player for the Astros after producing an .817 OPS while seeing time at second base, left field and center field during spring training. The 24-year-old is also capable of playing shortstop, though the Astros will go with Carlos Correa at that position in Thursday's season opener versus the Angels as a replacement for the banged-up Jeremy Pena (finger). Matthews, who slashed just .167/.222/.452 in 47 plate appearances during his first taste of the majors last season, is likely to see most of his starts against left-handed pitching in the early going.

Peraza will start at second base and bat ninth in Thursday's opener against the Astros.

The right-handed-hitting Peraza will get the first crack at the keystone even as the Astros send righty Hunter Brown to the mound. Lefty bat Adam Frazier will also see reps at second base, but it seems he's behind Peraza in the early pecking order.

Okamoto will be the Blue Jays' primary third baseman to begin the season, Gregor Chisholm and Mike Wilner of the Toronto Star report.

After signing a four-year, $60 million contract this offseason to take his talents to North America, Okamoto will have a significant role for Toronto in 2026. The 29-year-old appeared to adjust to his new environment quickly this spring, slashing .316/.435/.632 in 23 Grapefruit League plate appearances.

Schneider has kept his spot on the Blue Jays' 26-man roster, Gregor Chisholm and Mike Wilner of the Toronto Star report.

The final spot on the bench came down to Schneider and utility infielder Leo Jimenez, but Schneider's right-handed bat won out. The 27-year-old posted a .797 OPS with 11 homers in 227 plate appearances last season, and he could see steady work as a short-side platoon partner for corner outfielders Jesus Sanchez and Addison Barger, while also serving as an option at second base when one of the Jays' starting middle infielders, Andres Gimenez and Ernie Clement, needs a breather.

Loperfido will start in left field and bat fifth in Thursday's opener against the Angels.

Loperfido beat out Zach Cole for the Astros' left-field job, and he's occupying a favorable spot in the batting order versus right-hander Jose Soriano. The 26-year-old Loperfido has an intriguing power/speed skill set but will have to make enough contact to keep a regular job. He has a 33.3 percent strikeout rate in his first 122 major-league games.

Heineman has won a spot on the Blue Jays' Opening Day roster, Gregor Chisholm and Mike Wilner of the Toronto Star report.

The 34-year-old switch hitter will slot in behind Alejandro Kirk on the depth chart. Heineman appeared in 64 regular-season games for Toronto last season, slashing a career-best .289/.361/.416 with three homers, 20 RBI and 25 runs.

Rogers is expected to begin the season as one of the primary setup men for the Blue Jays ahead of closer Jeff Hoffman, Gregor Chisholm and Mike Wilner of the Toronto Star report.

After signing a three-year, $37 million contract with Toronto in December, it's no surprise that Rogers will have a high-leverage role. The veteran right-hander has recorded at least 30 holds in three straight seasons, posting a 1.98 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 48:7 K:BB over 77.1 innings in 2025 between the Mets and Giants.

Rengifo is out of the lineup for Thursday's Opening Day matchup with the White Sox.

The 29-year-old joined the Brewers on a one-year, $3.5 million contract in February, but it'll be David Hamilton that starts at the hot corner Opening Day. Rengifo and Hamilton seem likely to split playing time at third base to begin the season.