MLB Player News
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Justin Verlander SP | DET
Tigers' Justin Verlander: Placed on IL
The Tigers placed Verlander on the 15-day injured list Saturday due to left hip inflammation, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.
Verlander was lit up for five earned runs in just 3.2 innings during his first start of the season Monday, and he seems to have come out of that appearance with the hip injury. He'll be eligible to return from the IL on April 16, though it's unknown if he'll be ready by then. In the meantime, Keider Montero will come up from Triple-A Toledo to fill the opening in Detroit's rotation.
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Jackson Merrill CF | SD
Padres' Jackson Merrill: Riding pine Saturday
Merrill isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Red Sox.
Merrill doesn't typically step out of the lineup against left-handed starters, but after a 5-for-27 (.185) start to the season, he'll sit on the bench, with Connelly Early on the mound for Boston. Bryce Johnson will pick up a start in center field as a result and bat ninth.
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Teoscar Hernandez LF | LAD
Dodgers' Teoscar Hernandez: Day off Saturday
Hernandez isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Nationals.
Hernandez will get a chance to catch his breath Saturday after going 3-for-4 with an RBI and three runs scored during a blowout victory in Friday's series opener. Alex Call will fill the void in left field and bat ninth.
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David Festa P | MIN
Twins' David Festa: Moved to 60-day IL
The Twins transferred Festa (shoulder) to the 60-day injured list Saturday, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.
Festa was shut down early in spring training due to a shoulder impingement and still has yet to begin throwing off a mound. His move to the 60-day IL will ensure he remains sidelined until at least late May and opens up a spot on the 40-man roster for Garrett Acton, whom the Twins acquired Thursday in a trade with Miami.
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Joey Wiemer RF | WAS
Nationals' Joey Wiemer: Sitting again Saturday
Wiemer isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Dodgers, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.
Despite opening the season white-hot at the plate, Wiemer will retreat to the bench for a second consecutive game while Daylen Lile, Jacob Young and James Wood start across the outfield for Washington.
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Nasim Nunez 2B | WAS
Nationals' Nasim Nunez: Getting rest Saturday
Nunez isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Dodgers, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.
Nunez will get a breather after going 1-for-5 and scoring a run during Friday's blowout loss. Jorbit Vivas will fill in as Washington's second baseman and bat seventh.
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Brennan Bernardino RP | COL
Rockies' Brennan Bernardino: Opening Saturday
Bernardino will serve as the Rockies' opening pitcher Saturday against the Phillies.
The Phillies typically use lefty sluggers Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper atop their lineup, so the Rockies will counter by sending the left-handed Bernardino to the mound for the first inning. The 34-year-old has fired three scoreless innings to begin the season, giving up two hits, no walks and striking out one batter in the process. Chase Dollander is expected to pitch in bulk relief once Bernardino exits the game.
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Erik Miller RP | SF
Giants' Erik Miller: Allows two runs Friday
Miller allowed two earned runs on two hits and a walk while striking out one across two-thirds of an inning in Friday's 10-3 loss to the Mets.
Miller had allowed just one hit and one walk in his first 1.2 innings of the season, but he struggled Friday. The left-hander entered in the ninth inning and issued a walk to the first batter he faced before surrendering an RBI double. He then gave up a single and another run before exiting. Over three outings, Miller has recorded a 7.71 ERA, 2.14 WHIP and 2:2 K:BB across 2.1 innings.
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Joseph Ortiz SS | MIL
Brewers' Joey Ortiz: Idle to begin doubleheader
Ortiz isn't in the lineup for the first game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Royals.
Ortiz has gone 6-for-18 with three RBI, five runs scored and two steals through his first five games, but the Brewers will keep him in the dugout to begin the first game of Saturday's schedule. David Hamilton will slide to shortstop as a result while Luis Rengifo starts at the hot corner, batting second.