MLB Player News

Smith is not in the lineup for Monday's contest versus the Tigers.

Smith had started each of the previous two games after overcoming a sore elbow, but he'll begin Monday's festivities on the bench. Ildemaro Vargas will serve as the designated hitter and bat eighth for the Diamondbacks.

Robert is absent from the lineup for Monday's tilt in St. Louis.

Robert will receive a day of rest after starting all three games of the Mets' season-opening series against the Pirates. Carson Benge will slide over to center field and Brett Baty will handle right field for the Mets.

The Giants designated Fitzgerald for assignment Monday.

The transaction frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for the addition of trade acquisition Dylan Smith. Fitzgerald flashed upside with the Giants in 2024 with a .831 OPS in 96 games, but he stumbled to a .606 OPS last season while spending a large chunk of the year in the minors. Fitzgerald has some pop and speed, so there could be interest in him via waivers, but a 30.4 percent strikeout rate in the majors is a concern.

The Brewers acquired Matos from the Giants on Monday in exchange for cash considerations.

Matos had been designated for assignment by the Giants last week and will now join a Brewers team that was in the need for some position player depth as they navigate injuries. The 24-year-old Matos is a former top prospect but has managed just a .231/.281/.369 batting line in 593 career plate appearances at the big-league level. He is out of minor-league options, so Matos will go directly onto the major-league roster.

Young is absent from the lineup for Monday's contest against the Phillies.

It looks to be a routine day off for Young, who had started in center field in each of the Nationals' first three games of the season. The red-hot Joey Wiemer will handle center field and bat ninth for the Nats on Monday.

Castellanos will start at designated hitter and bat eighth in Monday's contest versus the Giants.

After yielding to Miguel Andujar at DH against lefties in the first two games of the season, Castellanos is now making a second straight start versus a righty. While Castellanos seems to have the early edge over Andujar in terms of playing time against right-handed pitching, there probably isn't a cemented hierarchy just yet. Gavin Sheets and Ty France are also vying for playing time in a crowded first base/DH situation for San Diego.

Andujar is not in the lineup for Monday's game against the Giants.

Andujar started at designated hitter in each of the first two games of the season versus lefties. However, he's now sat two straight against righties in favor of Nick Castellanos. It's too soon to know how exactly the playing time between the two players will shake out, but early indications are that Castellanos is the preferred guy against right-handed pitching.

Benson will start in right field and bat seventh in Monday's game against the Pirates.

The left-handed-hitting Benson has started in right field both times the Reds have faced a right-hander, while the righty-swinging Noelvi Marte has held down the position against both lefties. Marte is not going to be a strict short-side platoon bat, but Benson looks to have the early leg up on him when it comes to playing time versus righties.

Doyle is absent from the lineup for Monday's game in Toronto.

Doyle went hitless during the Rockies' season-opening series in Miami, so he'll get a day to unplug as the club opens a three-game set versus the Blue Jays. Jake McCarthy will slide over to center field and Troy Johnstone will start in right field Monday.

Mercado signed a minor-league contract with the Phillies on Friday.

Arizona cut Mercado loose last week after he failed to win a spot on the Diamondbacks' Opening Day roster, but the veteran outfielder quickly found an opportunity in the Phillies organization. He was assigned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley and went 2-for-3 with a stolen base and a run while appearing in two games during the affiliate's first series of the season. The 31-year-old previously spent the entire 2025 campaign at Lehigh Valley, slashing .247/.368/.370 with 11 home runs and 40 steals across 481 plate appearances.