MLB Player News
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Javier Sanoja SS | MIA
Marlins' Javier Sanoja: Three hits in Friday's start
Sanoja went 3-for-3 with an RBI in Friday's win over the Rockies.
Getting the start at third base and batting ninth, Sanoja consistently flipped the lineup over in a 2-1 victory. The 23-year-old utility player was in the lineup against a left-hander in Kyle Freeland, and he could work as a platoon partner for Graham Pauley at the hot corner in the short term while Connor Norby covers for Christopher Morel (oblique) at first base. Pauley missed most of training camp due to a forearm strain, but he was able to enter Friday's game as a late-inning defensive replacement, bumping Sanoja out to left field.
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C.J. Abrams SS | WAS
Nationals' CJ Abrams: Away from team
Abrams is currently away from the Nationals due to a death in his family, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.
The Nationals haven't officially placed the 25-year-old on the bereavement list, but a move could come in the near future. Nasim Nunez will start at shortstop while Abrams is away, opening up second base for Jorbit Vivas.
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Ernie Clement SS | TOR
Blue Jays' Ernie Clement: Bangs out two doubles Friday
Clement went 2-for-4 with two doubles and a run scored in Friday's win over the A's.
It was a strong start to the season for the 30-year-old infielder, who's expected to be Toronto's everyday second baseman now that Andres Gimenez is sliding over to shortstop to replace Bo Bichette. Clement posted a respectable .277/.313/.398 slash line in 2025 with nine homers and six steals in 157 regular-season games while bouncing all around the infield, but having a stable defensive home could allow him to find another level at the plate.
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Addison Barger SS | TOR
Blue Jays' Addison Barger: Idle vs. southpaw
Barger is not in the Blue Jays' starting lineup against the Athletics on Saturday.
With left-hander Jeffrey Springs taking the mound for the Athletics on Saturday, Barger will open the contest in the dugout while the Blue Jays go with Davis Schneider, Daulton Varsho and Myles Straw in the outfield from left to right. Barger went 0-for-4 with a strikeout on Opening Day on Friday.
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Jeremy Pena SS | HOU
Astros' Jeremy Pena: Swipes bag in 2026 debut
Pena went 2-for-5 with a run scored and a stolen base in Friday's 6-2 loss to the Angels.
After being held out Opening Day, Pena made his season debut hitting leadoff and set the table very effectively. The shortstop missed most of spring training and a chance to play for the Dominican Republic during the WBC, as a result of a fractured fingertip he sustained in early March, but Pena recovered in time to avoid a stint on the IL and appears to be fully healthy.
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Alex Freeland SS | LAD
Dodgers' Alex Freeland: Homer, double in win
Freeland went 2-for-3 with a solo home run, a double and a second run scored in Friday's 5-4 win over the Diamondbacks.
Freeland made his first start of the season at second base after Miguel Rojas got the nod at the keystone for Opening Day. Over 97 regular-season plate appearances in 2025, Freeland posted a .190/.292/.310 slash line with two home runs, six RBI, 10 runs scored and a stolen base. He'll have an extended audition early in the season while Tommy Edman (ankle) is on the shelf. With the Dodgers' outfield mix set and Edman likely to see his time at second base once healthy, Freeland will need to perform well to stick around on the major-league roster as a potential utility bat. Hyeseong Kim may also be the mix for time at second base eventually, which could make it difficult for Freeland to carve out enough playing time to help in most fantasy formats.
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Cole Young SS | SEA
Mariners' Cole Young: Belts three-run homer
Young went 1-for-3 with a three-run home run in Friday's 5-1 win over the Guardians.
Young was held hitless Thursday, going 0-for-3 with three strikeouts to start the season. He bounced back with a go-ahead blast in the fourth inning Friday, the fifth homer of his young major-league career. The second baseman launched six homers and added 18 RBI over 19 games in spring training, so there's some power potential, though he'll likely be negatively impacted by playing half his games at T-Mobile Park. He posted a .607 OPS, four homers, 24 RBI, 24 runs scored and one stolen base over 257 plate appearances during the 2025 regular season. Young looks to have a clear path to at-bats versus right-handed pitchers this season, and a strong start to the year could make him a near-everyday player.
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Jeremy Pena SS | HOU
Astros' Jeremy Pena: In lineup Friday
Pena (finger) is leading off and playing shortstop Friday against the Angels.
Pena was held out on Opening Day, but he's back in action for game No. 2. His return to the lineup pushes Carlos Correa to third base, while Isaac Paredes moves to DH and Yordan Alvarez fills left field. Pena sustained a fractured finger March 4.
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Yiddi Cappe SS | MIA
Yiddi Cappe: Cut loose by Marlins
The Marlins released Cappe on Friday, Francys Romero of BeisbolFR.com reports.
Cappe received a $3.5 million bonus from the Marlins during the 2020-2021 international signing period, but he didn't develop as hoped, slashing just .250/.296/.354in five seasons. The 23-year-old reached the Double-A level for the first time in 2025, playing in six games for Pensacola.
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Casey Schmitt SS | SF
Giants' Casey Schmitt: Another start at first base
Schmitt will start at first base and bat seventh in Friday's game versus the Yankees.
Schmitt started at first base against lefty Max Fried in the opener and is now back at the position versus righty Cam Schlittler for the second game of the season. Meanwhile, Rafael Devers is again at designated hitter and Jerar Encarnacion is on the bench. Schmitt will likely need to get off to a hot start to remain an everyday player, but it's clear he's at least the preferred defensive option at first base for new manager Tony Vitello.