MLB Player News

Contreras went 1-for-3 with two walks, a double, three RBI and a run scored in Thursday's 14-2 win against the White Sox.

The 28-year-old carried a hot bat during spring training with three homers and a 1.025 OPS in eight Cactus League games, and he carried over that success into Opening Day. Contreras came to the plate with the bases loaded in the second inning Thursday and cleared them with a double, and he followed with a single and a run scored in the sixth. His offensive production dipped last year with a .754 OPS in 150 regular-season games while playing through a left middle finger fracture, but Contreras is positioned to produce something closer to his career .805 OPS in 2026 now that he's healthy.

Grisham is not in the starting lineup for Friday's game against San Francisco.

Grisham will dodge a same-handed matchup with Robbie Ray on Friday, allowing for Cody Bellinger to slide to center field and Randal Grichuk to patrol left field. Grisham went 1-for-5 with a two-RBI triple in the Yankees' season opener Wednesday.

Frelick went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run, two walks and an additional run scored in Thursday's 14-2 win against the White Sox.

The 25-year-old has never been known for his power output -- his 12 homers during the 2025 regular season was the highest mark of his professional career -- but Frelick wasted no time going deep this year as he crushed a 407-foot shot to right field off Tyler Gilbert during the fifth inning of the season opener. Frelick likely reached close to his power ceiling last year, but his .288/.351/.405 slash line was strong in its own right, and he's off to a great start to 2026.

Rice is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Giants.

After going 1-for-4 with a walk and a run scored Wednesday, Rice will take a seat Friday afternoon against southpaw Robbie Ray. Paul Goldschmidt will draw the start at first base.

Giants manager Tony Vitello said Friday that Devers has started at designated hitter in the first two games of the season in part because of lingering tightness in his left hamstring, John Shea of The San Francisco Standard reports.

Devers first tweaked his hamstring in late February, and Vitello said there's "still little bit of a feeling in there." The skipper noted that Devers is capable of handling first base, if necessary, but it sounds like the club could keep him in the DH slot for a bit longer as a precaution. Casey Schmitt has started at first base in each of the Giants' first two contests.

Caglianone isn't part of the starting lineup for Friday's game against Atlanta.

The lefty-hitting Caglianone will dodge a matchup with Chris Sale on Friday, allowing Starling Marte to draw the start in right field. Caglianone and Marte are expected to platoon to begin the season, but Caglianone could earn looks against left-handed pitching with a strong start.

Isbel isn't part of the starting nine for Friday's game against Atlanta.

Isbel will take a seat for the Royals' season opener, as southpaw Chris Sale takes the mound for Atlanta. Isaac Collins, Lane Thomas and Starling Marte will fill the outfield from left to right Friday.

Schmitt will start at first base and bat seventh in Friday's game versus the Yankees.

Schmitt started at first base against lefty Max Fried in the opener and is now back at the position versus righty Cam Schlittler for the second game of the season. Meanwhile, Rafael Devers is again at designated hitter and Jerar Encarnacion is on the bench. Schmitt will likely need to get off to a hot start to remain an everyday player, but it's clear he's at least the preferred defensive option at first base for new manager Tony Vitello.

Alcala has opted out of his minor-league contract and will become a free agent, Ari Alexander of 7 News Boston reports.

Alcala failed to make the Blue Jays' big-league roster and triggered the opt-out clause in his contract. The 29-year-old will now hit the open market. He appeared in 56 MLB games last season between the Twins, Red Sox and Cardinals, posting a 6.22 ERA, 1.75 WHIP and 61:30 K:BB across 55 innings.

Beeter struck out one and walked two in a scoreless eighth inning during Thursday's 10-4 win over the Cubs.

The Nationals held an 8-4 lead when Beeter took the mound to face the bottom half of Chicago's batting order -- not exactly a high-leverage spot for the 2026 debut of a pitcher generally projected to lead the team in saves this season. Washington doesn't have any established options at the back of its bullpen, however, so as long as Beeter remains effective, he should be in the mix to protect close ninth-inning leads. The 27-year-old right-hander will need to display more control than he did Opening Day to stay in the saves picture, as he tossed just 12 of 24 pitches for strikes against the Cubs. Cole Henry and potentially Cionel Perez, who worked the ninth Thursday, could also get save chances while new manager Blake Butera sorts out his bullpen.