Jason Heyward, OF
St. Louis Cardinals
He had three hits in his first game with the Cardinals, along with a steal and a run. His manager, Mike Matheny, says Heyward is “playing with an edge.”
Craig Kimbrel, P
San Diego Padres
The closer blew away the Dodgers in his San Diego debut, striking out three batters he faced in 16 pitches. “The jersey might have changed, but the object of the game hasn’t,” he said.
Dan Uggla, 2B
Washington Nationals
He’s starting at second base because of Anthony Rendon’s injury and was 2-for-11 (.182) with no RBIs in his first three games with Washington.
Evan Gattis, OF-DH
Houston Astros
The plan in Houston is to use Gattis in left field and as a DH only. He hopes to play more than the 108 games he played last season. He struck out eight times in 11 at-bats in the first three games.
Justin Upton, OF
San Diego Padres
The 27-year-old left fielder could have a big season in San Diego. His 10 home runs at Petco Park were tied for the most by a visiting player in stadium history.
Brian McCann, C -1B
New York Yankees
McCann had the fifth-most at bats against defensive shifts in baseball in 2015, according to the Yanksgoyard web site, likely contributing to his .232 average last season.
Tim Hudson, P
San Francisco Giants
The 39-year-old pitched 6 1/3 shutout innings in his first start (despite five walks) Thursday night, but has said this season, his 17th in the majors, will be his last.
David Carpenter, P
New York Yankees
He is already impressing his new team, throwing 2 2/3 hitless innings in two games. Carpenter commented that he’s happy throwing to former Braves catcher McCann.
Adam LaRoche, 1B-DH
Chicago White Sox
LaRoche went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts in a miserable first game with his new team, a 10-1 loss to the Royals. He’s played 1,472 games in the NL, only nine in the AL.
Jeff Francoeur, OF
Philadelphia Phillies
He earned a job with the Phillies and had a three-run homer Wednesday night. But he struck out twice in four at-bats Thursday.
