MLB Player News
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Kevin McGonigle SS | DET
Tigers' Kevin McGonigle: Tallies four hits in MLB debut
McGonigle went 4-for-5 with two doubles, two RBI and two runs scored in Thursday's 8-2 win over the Padres.
Making his MLB debut, McGonigle started at third base and batted sixth Opening Day, and he made quite the first impression on the heels of a strong spring training. The youngster became just the second Detroit player ever to record four hits in his first game in the majors. McGonigle is expected to see plenty of time at shortstop this year, though he covered the hot corner Thursday with Javier Baez starting at short. No matter where McGonigle plays in the field, he looks ready to make a fantasy impact right away.
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Marcelo Mayer SS | BOS
Red Sox's Marcelo Mayer: Sitting versus lefty
Mayer is out of the lineup for Thursday's Opening Day matchup with the Reds, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports.
Manager Alex Cora indicated earlier this week that Mayer would begin the season in a platoon at second base, so it's no surprise he's on the bench in favor of Isiah Kiner-Falefa with lefty Andrew Abbott on the mound for Cincinnati. Mayer had a .674 OPS over 44 regular-season games in his first taste of the majors last year and batted just .154 versus southpaws.
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Kevin McGonigle SS | DET
Tigers' Kevin McGonigle: Making MLB debut at 3B
McGonigle is starting at third base and batting sixth in Thursday's Opening Day matchup against the Padres.
The 21-year-old shortstop will end up making his MLB debut at the hot corner while Javier Baez picks up the start at shortstop. McGonigle, who is one of the top prospects in baseball, is expected to split his playing time between the two positions. He posted a .254/.369/.550 slash line with 12 homers and seven steals in 46 games at the Double-A level last year and had an .888 OPS during spring training.
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Brice Matthews SS | HOU
Astros' Brice Matthews: Claims Opening Day roster spot
The Astros announced Wednesday that Matthews won a spot on the Opening Day roster.
Matthews is set to begin the season as a utility player for the Astros after producing an .817 OPS while seeing time at second base, left field and center field during spring training. The 24-year-old is also capable of playing shortstop, though the Astros will go with Carlos Correa at that position in Thursday's season opener versus the Angels as a replacement for the banged-up Jeremy Pena (finger). Matthews, who slashed just .167/.222/.452 in 47 plate appearances during his first taste of the majors last season, is likely to see most of his starts against left-handed pitching in the early going.
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Jeremy Pena SS | HOU
Astros' Jeremy Pena: Not in lineup for opener
Pena (finger) is not in the lineup for Thursday's opener against the Angels.
Per Chandler Rome of The Athletic, Pena has progressed enough in his recovery from a fractured right ring finger to avoid the 10-day injured list, but he's not quite ready to play in major-league games. Pena is at the Astros' nearby Triple-A Sugar Land affiliate Thursday morning getting in some live at-bats, and it's unclear whether he will be available off the bench Thursday or if Houston will play a man short. Consider him day-to-day for the time being. With Pena out, Carlos Correa will slide over to shortstop and Isaac Paredes will start at third base.
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Jeremiah Jackson SS | BAL
Orioles' Jeremiah Jackson: Makes roster, on bench for opener
Jackson is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Twins.
Though Jackson beat out a number of competitors for the final position-player spot on the Orioles' Opening Day roster, he looks like he'll have to settle for a part-time role to begin the season, even while Jackson Holliday (hand) and Jordan Westburg (elbow) are on the injured list. Coby Mayo is expected to be Westburg's primary replacement at third base, while the Orioles could opt for a more of a timeshare between Jackson and Blaze Alexander at the keystone in Holliday's absence. The Orioles will turn to Alexander at second base for the opener.
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Jackson Holliday SS | BAL
Orioles' Jackson Holliday: Cleared for rehab assignment
Holliday (hand) is set to begin a rehab assignment Friday at Triple-A Norfolk.
Holliday didn't see any game action in spring training after undergoing surgery Feb. 12 to remove the fractured hook of the hamate bone in his right hand, but he resumed taking batting practice before the end of camp and was spotted taking part in fielding drills at Camden Yards on Wednesday, per Jake Rill of MLB.com. The 22-year-old evidently checked out fine following Wednesday's workout and is expected to be in the lineup when Norfolk opens its season Friday. Holliday will be eligible to return from the 10-day injured list next Wednesday, but because he missed all of spring training, the Orioles may want to keep him on assignment with Norfolk for a longer period prior to activating him. Until Holliday is deemed ready to rejoin the big club, the Orioles will likely turn to Blaze Alexander and Jeremiah Jackson to handle most of the reps at the keystone.
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Jose Barrero SS | BAL
Orioles' Jose Barrero: Sent to minors
The Orioles reassigned Barrero to Triple-A Norfolk on Wednesday, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.
Barrero appeared in 22 games at the big-league level with St. Louis in 2025, but he finished last season in the Orioles organization as a member of the Norfolk roster and will return to the affiliate to begin the 2026 campaign. The 27-year-old came up short in his bid for a utility spot on the Orioles' Opening Day roster after slashing just .105/.150/.289 over 40 plate appearances during the Grapefruit League.
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Tyler Wade SS | TEX
Rangers' Tyler Wade: Headed to Round Rock
The Rangers reassigned Wade to Triple-A Round Rock on Wednesday.
After failing to win a spot on the Rangers' Opening Day roster, Wade looks like he'll stick around in the organization as utility depth at Triple-A. The 31-year-old saw action in 60 big-league games for the Padres in 2025, slashing .206/.309/.252 with no home runs, one stolen base, 13 runs and nine RBI across 127 plate appearances.
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Leonardo Jimenez SS | TOR
Blue Jays' Leo Jimenez: Removed from 40-man roster
The Blue Jays designated Jimenez for assignment Wednesday.
Jimenez had no minor-league options remaining, so after deciding not to include him on their Opening Day roster, the Blue Jays will have to expose the young infielder to the waiver process. The 24-year-old offers a capable glove at three infield spots but hasn't resembled a big-league-caliber hitter over various stints with Toronto over the past two seasons, as he's produced a .207/.303/.332 batting line (85 wRC+) across 242 career plate appearances.