Gregory Soto Allows Two Runs, Earns Save

Detroit Tigers closer Gregory Soto narrowly avoided blowing the save opportunity on Opening Day, as he allowed two runs on two hits and one walk in one inning of work in a 3-2 Detroit win over Cleveland. Soto surrendered a two-run home run with one out in the top of the ninth to make it […]

Miguel Cabrera Homers In Opening Day Win

Detroit Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera led the way in an Opening Day victory, going 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in the 3-2 win over the Indians. Cabrera's go-ahead shot in the first inning was the first home run in MLB this year, and No. 488 for his career. While he isn't the same […]

David Fletcher Signs Contract Extension With Angels

Los Angeles Angels second baseman David Fletcher has signed a contract extension with the team for five years with $26 million guaranteed, and that number could hit $41 million, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network. Fletcher has shown improvement in each of his three years in the majors, including career-highs in 2020 with a […]

Shane Bieber Finishes With 12 Strikeouts In Loss To Tigers

Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Shane Bieber struck out 12 batters in six innings of work in a 3-2 Opening Day loss to the Tigers. Bieber took the loss but recorded a quality start in the outing, allowing three runs on five hits and three walks over six innings. All five hits Bieber allowed came in […]

Mike Soroka Could Return During Second Homestand

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Mike Soroka (Achilles) could rejoin the rotation during the Braves' second homestand, according to David O'Brien of The Athletic. Soroka has been working his way back from a torn Achilles tendon, and general manager Alex Anthopoulos said that barring any setbacks, Soroka could be back some time around April 23. Soroka […]

Gerrit Cole Strikes Out Eight On Opening Day

New York Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole struck out eight batters in his Opening Day start, finishing the day with two runs allowed on five hits and two walks in 5 1/3 innings against the Blue Jays. Cole entered the top of the sixth with a 2-1 lead, before surrendering a one-out, game-tying home run […]

Kolby Allard Late Add to 26-Man Roster

Despite optioning him off the active roster recently, the Texas Rangers added pitcher Kolby Allard to the big league roster for opening day. The lefty had a solid spring by allowing five earned runs in 11.2 innings. He also posted an impressive K-BB of 15-4. Allard wasn't as successful in 2020 at the MLB level, […]

Alex Reyes Expected To Be Cardinals' Primary Closer

St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Alex Reyes is expected to open the year as the team's closer according to Cardinals beat writer Derrick Goold. Goold said that, "Even if they don't call him closer. He'll be the reliever they're going to call on to finish games." This take from Goold is a bit surprising as […]

Josh Rojas Leading Off For Diamondbacks On Opening Day

Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Josh Rojas will lead off for the team as they face Yu Darvish and the San Diego Padres on Opening Day. Rojas is getting the start at shortstop in the game with the team's primary shortstop Nick Ahmed (knee) sidelined with a knee injury. Ahmed is considered day-to-day. The 26-year-old Rojas […]

Josh Donaldson Lifted In The First Inning With Calf Injury

Minnesota Twins third baseman Josh Donaldson (calf) was taken out of Thursday's game against the Milwaukee Brewers in the first inning. He hit a double in his first and only at-bat and seemed to aggravate his calf while rounding first base. Jake Cave entered the game to replace him, taking over left field while Luis […]

Justin Williams Starting In Right Field On Opening Day

St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Justin Williams is starting in right field and batting eighth on Opening Day as the team faces Luis Castillo and the Cincinnati Reds. Harrison Bader (forearm) is opening the season on the injured list and is expected to miss about a month. During that period, Williams should see regularly playing time. […]

Chris Sale Making Progress In Rehab

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale continues his rehab from Tommy John surgery, as he will continue to throw off flat ground as he shifts his rehab from Florida to Boston. Sale's rehab was delayed this offseason as he dealt with neck stiffness and COVID, but he is still expected to return at some point […]

Tony Gonsolin And David Price Won't Pitch Two Straight Days

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told media that relief pitchers Tony Gonsolin and David Price won't be utilized out of the bullpen on consecutive days. He also threw reliever Jimmy Nelson into the discussion. He said that he wouldn't inform the three pitchers which games they should expect to pitch, explaining that he has to, "watch […]

AJ Pollock Slated To Start Next Three Games

Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder AJ Pollock is not in the team's Opening Day lineup as they face German Marquez and the Colorado Rockies. Following the lineup decision, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told the press that Pollock would be starting the team's next three games against the Rockies from Friday through Sunday. Roberts also said that […]

Josh Fuentes Hitting Second In Rockies Opener

Colorado Rockies third baseman Josh Fuentes is batting second in the team's Opening Day game against Clayton Kershaw and the Los Angeles Dodgers. With Brendan Rodgers (hamstring) on the injured list, Fuentes could see some additional starts in the season's opening weeks and it's encouraging to see him hitting near the top of the lineup. […]

Joey Wendle Not In Opening Day Lineup

Tampa Bay Rays infielder Joey Wendle is not in the team's Opening Day lineup against Sandy Alcantara and the Miami Marlins. Yandy Diaz is getting the start at third base, where Wendle is expected to see most of his time this year, though he may also see a good deal of time at his primary […]

Ryan Brasier Placed On Injured List

Boston Red Sox reliever Ryan Brasier strained his left calf while fielding a ground ball on Monday, and will begin the season on the injured list. Brasier was already expected to start the season on the injured list with a right pinkie fracture, but is now expected to be out for longer, as manager Alex […]

Baldelli Insistent Nelson Cruz Will Regularly Get At-Bats

Minnesota Twins designated hitter Nelson Cruz is not in the team's Opening Day lineup as they face the Milwaukee Brewers in a road game without the designated hitter spot. Twins manager Rocco Baldelli was asked whether Cruz would be limited this year because of the lack of a designated hitter in National League games. Baldelli […]

Joc Pederson Batting Fifth On Opening Day

Chicago Cubs outfielder Joc Pederson will be hitting fifth in his Cubs debut against Chad Kuhl and the Pittsburgh Pirates on Opening Day. Pederson had a strong spring training, hitting eight home runs, and is hoping to find more consistent playing time and production in his first year with the Cubs. Pederson has proven to […]

Luis Arraez Starting In Left Field, Batting Leadoff Against Brewers

Minnesota Twins utility Luis Arraez will get the start in left field and bat leadoff for his team on Opening Day against the Brewers. Arraez batted leadoff at times during the spring, with manager Rocco Baldelli saying that it's something he plans to do more often in tandem with Max Kepler, the usual leadoff hitter. […]

AJ Pollock Absent From Opening Day Lineup

Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder AJ Pollock is not in the team's Opening Day lineup as they take on right-hander German Marquez and the Colorado Rockies. Chris Taylor is getting the start in left field with Gavin Lux at second base. The right-handed Pollock was far more productive against lefties than righties last year. He had […]

Garrett Hampson Hitting Eighth On Opening Day

Colorado Rockies outfielder Garrett Hampson is batting in the eight hole on Opening Day vs. LHP Clayton Kershaw and the Los Angeles Dodgers. Hampson is starting in center field, which is where he saw significant time over the spring. He saw a fair amount of work out of the leadoff spot during Cactus League play […]

Andrew Benintendi Hitting Second On Opening Day

Kansas City Royals outfielder Andrew Benintendi will bat second on Opening Day as the team takes on right-hander Kyle Gibson and the Texas Rangers. He's starting his Royals career off in a great position, sandwiched between leadoff hitter Whit Merrifield and Carlos Santana. The left-handed Benintendi has been more productive against righties than lefties. He's […]

Ryan McMahon Not In Rockies Lineup Thursday

Colorado Rockies second baseman Ryan McMahon is not in the Opening Day lineup Thursday against the Dodgers. McMahon is expected to get an increase in playing time early on following Brendan Rodgers' injury, and he has gotten off to a good start in spring with a .250/.318/.433 triple-slash line with three home runs and eight […]

Athletics Option A.J. Puk and Daulton Jefferies To Alternate Site

Oakland Athletics pitching prospects A.J. Puk and Daulton Jefferies did not make the Opening Day roster and have been optioned to the alternate training site. This likely means Cole Irvin will be the club's fifth-starter to begin the season. Jefferies turned heads in Spring Training pitching to a 1.50 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, and racking up […]

J.T. Realmuto In Opening Day Lineup Against Braves

Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto (thumb) is in the Opening Day lineup and will bat fourth against the Braves. Realmuto has been working his way back from a fractured thumb this spring, and just made his spring debut last Tuesday. It seemed pretty safe that he would be back in time for Opening Day, but […]

Nelson Cruz Not In Opening Day Lineup

Minnesota Twins designated hitter Nelson Cruz will be on the bench for Opening Day against the Brewers. Since the Twins are playing in a National League park, there's no designated hitter, meaning fantasy managers might not be able to slot Cruz into their lineups until Monday's game against the Tigers. The 40-year-old slugger has made […]

Yu Chang Starts At First, Batting Seventh For Cleveland

Cleveland Indians first baseman Yu Chang will get the start at first in the Opening Day matchup with Detroit. Chang will start over Jake Bauers, who had beaten out Bobby Bradley for a spot on the roster out of Spring Training. He put up some good numbers this spring, slashing .282/.317/.692 with four home runs […]

Daulton Jefferies, A.J. Puk Not On Opening Day Roster

Oakland Athletics starting pitchers Daulton Jefferies and A.J. Puk are not on the Opening Day roster for Oakland after being optioned, according to Shayna Rubin of the Mercury News. Rubin adds that these moves likely mean Cole Irvin will be the fifth starter for the Athletics. Jefferies put up good numbers this spring, with a […]

Nick Ahmed Not In Opening Day Lineup

Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Nick Ahmed (knee) is not in the Opening Day lineup against the Padres. Ahmed has been limited this spring as he deals with patellar tendinitis in his right knee, and he has not played in a game since March 24. In his place, Josh Rojas will get the start at shortstop and […]