MLB Player News

King gave up three hits — one of those hits a long homer to Randy Arozarena — while striking out five against two walks. The 29-year-old has been just so-so in the spring, but was outstanding in 2024 in his first full year as a starter, and fantasy players should ignore his 6.23 ERA in the Cactus League.

López warmed up Thursday, but he sat back down because he didn’t feel well. With the Nationals having lost two close games, López certainly would have pitched at least once by now had he been feeling up to it.

There’s no indication of an injury here. Cruz has made multiple mistakes in center field already, but sitting him in the fourth game of the season, against a right-hander and when he could easily DH, is baffling. Cruz reached base eight times in the Pirates’ first three games. Jack Suwinski is in center field today.

Adell left Saturday’s game with left hip tightness, but it seems like a trip to the injured list won’t be necessary since he told reporters he’s feeling much better and could play as soon as Monday. While it remains to be seen if he’ll actually be in the lineup Monday, Adell seems to have at least avoided a worst-case scenario.

Ornelas was recalled because Josh Jung is injured and Josh Smith hurt himself during Saturday’s game. Texas needed an extra infielder and Ornelas will do the job with Jung going on the injured list. Ornelas is in the lineup Sunday playing shortstop and batting eighth with Corey Seager getting a routine day off.

That’s the case even though all three games have been against right-handers. Julien had a solid spring, hitting .281/.349/.456, but the Twins seem to be prioritizing defense in using Willi Castro at second base and Harrison Bader in left field. Julien at second and Castro in left seems like a better alignment against righties.

Lee started against a lefty on Opening Day, but Thaiss, a left-handed hitter, has played over him against righties the last two days. It was expected that Lee would be displaced as the White Sox’s starting catcher at some point this season, but we assumed it would be for Kyle Teel or Edgar Quero over the summer and not by Thaiss on the first weekend of the season.

Sosa homered on Opening Day and has three hard-hit balls to one strikeout in two games, but it seems he needs the early day off anyway. Meanwhile, the White Sox have Nick Maton DHing for a second game in a row.

Melendez is off to an 0-for-6 start, and the Royals are playing Hunter Renfroe over him in right field today with Jonathan India in left. Melendez should be back in there Monday, as the Royals are slated to face right-handers all three games against the Brewers this week.

Bowman was sent outright to Triple-A after he didn’t make the Orioles’ bullpen this spring. He’s been selected to replace Albert Suarez, who hit the 15-day injured list with shoulder inflammation.

Suarez showed diminished velocity in his season debut Friday against the Blue Jays and now he winds up on the injured list with shoulder inflammation. Baltimore selected Matt Bowman’s contract to replace him in the Orioles’ bullpen.