Every team's projected Opening Day lineup, rotation

By MLB.com | March 29, 2024

This browser does not support the video element.

The 2024 baseball season has finally arrived! Here’s how each club's lineup and starting rotation are currently expected to look on Opening Day.

AL EAST

BLUE JAYS

Lineup:

This lineup will change daily based on pitching matchups, creating regular reps for Davis Schneider and Danny Jansen -- who will begin the season on the injured list after fracturing his right wrist bone. The only real constants here should be Guerrero and Bichette, around whom the rest of the lineup will orbit.

Rotation:

The top four are locked and loaded, ready to run it back after a remarkable season. Alek Manoah appeared to be on track to grab the fifth spot in the rotation but hasn't pitched in a game since Feb. 27 due to right shoulder soreness. Francis steps into that spot after his strong Spring Training performance.

ORIOLES

Lineup:

Because the Angels are sending left-hander Patrick Sandoval to the mound on Opening Day, the Orioles are not starting left-handed-hitting first baseman/DH Ryan O'Hearn, who will get plenty of playing time this year.

Rotation:

Kyle Bradish (right UCL strain) and John Means (left elbow recovery) will start the season on the injured list.

This browser does not support the video element.

RAYS

Lineup:

The loss of outfielder Josh Lowe (right oblique strain) and infielder Jonathan Aranda (fractured right ring finger) has shaken up this group a bit. Newcomer Amed Rosario will be a factor, especially against left-handers, and there will be plenty of at-bats to go around for him and right-handed-hitting infielder Curtis Mead.

Rotation:

A mid-spring right pec strain for young starter Taj Bradley opened one spot, which ultimately went to Alexander. The lefty could serve as a traditional starter or pitch after an opener, holding down a spot that could eventually go to right-hander Jacob Waguespack or rehabbing starter (and former top prospect) Shane Baz. Bradley will be back in the mix early in the season, and lefty Jeffrey Springs (recovering from Tommy John surgery) could add a potent arm to the group in the second half.

RED SOX

Lineup:

Devers and Casas should be the linchpins of the offense, and having Story for a full season should help offset the loss of free agents Justin Turner and Adam Duvall. Valdez will be the primary fill-in early in the season for Vaughn Grissom, who starts the season on the injured list due to a left groin strain.

Rotation:

The indefinite loss of Lucas Giolito due to a right elbow injury will hurt a rotation that lacks experience. It is now more important than ever that the young core led by Bello takes a step forward.

YANKEES

Lineup:

Though manager Aaron Boone said that his first choice was to have DJ LeMahieu occupy the leadoff spot, LeMahieu is not ready for Opening Day after sustaining a significant bone bruise on his right foot on March 16. The Yanks dealt for versatile speedster Jon Berti from the Marlins on Wednesday; he'll likely see time at the hot corner, but Cabrera will begin the season there.

Rotation:

Gil edged a group of candidates that included right-hander Will Warren, the club’s No. 8 prospect, according to MLB Pipeline. Others in competition included Clayton Beeter, Cody Poteet and Luke Weaver.

AL CENTRAL

GUARDIANS

Lineup:

After the club placed Myles Straw on waivers, Freeman gets the first shot in center field. Estevan Florial and Will Brennan will provide flexibility and versatility as extra outfielders.

Rotation:

With Gavin Williams behind schedule with elbow discomfort, the fifth starter is Carrasco.

ROYALS

Lineup:

The Royals believe their offense will significantly improve with Pasquantino back healthy after shoulder surgery last season, giving Witt more protection at the top of the lineup, and Renfroe also adds more pop to a lineup that needed it last year.

Rotation:

The fifth starter spot was won by Marsh over Jordan Lyles, who will begin the season in the bullpen, and Daniel Lynch IV, who will begin the season in Triple-A Omaha.

This browser does not support the video element.

TIGERS

Lineup:

Detroit’s lineup is deeper with Canha, acquired via trade, and Keith, the team’s No. 2 prospect and MLB's No. 22 overall prospect. There were some questions during the spring about who leads off, but Ibáñez gets the spot on Opening Day.

Rotation:

Olson won the fifth starter's job over Matt Manning, who was optioned to Triple-A Toledo on March 22.

TWINS

Lineup:

With Kansas City having named left-handed pitcher Cole Ragans as its Opening Day starter, the platoon-heavy Twins are sure to flip away from the lineup they'll use for much of the season and insert as many right-handed hitters as possible. Santana led off against lefties this spring, but manager Rocco Baldelli indicated that could indeed change.

Rotation:

With Anthony DeSclafani starting the season on the injured list, Varland grabbed the fifth starter's role.

This browser does not support the video element.

WHITE SOX

Lineup:

This group should be much better defensively, but the question remains as to how much the bats will produce. Robert Jr. is one of the best all-around players in the game, and Moncada, Jiménez and Vaughn have the talent for strong years.

Rotation:

Crochet becomes the ninth pitcher in the past 110 years to make his first career start on Opening Day, joining Tanner Scheppers (2014) and Fernando Valenzuela (1981) as the only ones to do it since 1944. The White Sox rotation took on a different look when Dylan Cease was traded to the Padres and Michael Kopech moved to the bullpen, potentially becoming the team's closer. A fifth starter won’t be needed until April 6 in Kansas City, but Nastrini, who has had a great camp, could work in long relief at the outset.

AL WEST

ANGELS

Lineup:

The Angels are set to experiment with Rendon in the leadoff spot, while Mickey Moniak and Jo Adell will also share time with Hicks in right field based on matchups.

Rotation:

The Angels will go back to a five-man rotation after utilizing a six-man with Shohei Ohtani.

ASTROS

Lineup:

This figures to be one of the deepest lineups in baseball, with Diaz taking over as the starting catcher. The top seven batters in the lineup can match up with anybody, and a resurgent Peña could only lengthen the lineup further.

Rotation:

Justin Verlander and José Urquidy will begin the season on the IL, which puts the Astros at the limit of their starting pitching depth. Verlander has begun to face live hitters as he continues his build-up after dealing with a right shoulder issue. Urquidy might start throwing this weekend as he recovers from a right forearm strain. The next man up is Blanco, who looked good this spring. Brandon Bielak, who was being built up as a starter, makes the team in the bullpen. Injured starters Lance McCullers Jr. and Luis Garcia are due back midsummer.

This browser does not support the video element.

ATHLETICS

Lineup:

How the A’s deploy their outfield depth will likely be matchup-based. Rooker and Esteury Ruiz should see plenty of time out there.

Rotation:

Boyle earned the final spot in the rotation, though Mitch Spence and Kyle Muller will still likely make their share of starts throughout the season, as will Ken Waldichuk, who begins the season on the 60-day injured list.

MARINERS

Lineup:

There are quite a few platoon options for manager Scott Servais to operate with, but a lineup that was way too boom-or-bust last season, particularly with a sky-high strikeout rate, should be improved.

Rotation:

A five-man group that made nearly every start from June on last year nearly returned intact until Bryan Woo experienced right elbow inflammation late in Spring Training. As Woo begins this season on the injured list, Hancock, the team's No. 11 prospect, takes his spot in the rotation.

RANGERS

Lineup:

Seager and Jung dealt with injuries during the spring, but they made their Cactus League debuts on March 23, leading to optimism that the two All-Stars would be on the Opening Day roster. Langford -- MLB Pipeline's No. 6 prospect -- made the roster less than a year after being selected fourth overall in the '23 Draft. First baseman Nathaniel Lowe will be sidelined until at least mid-April with an oblique strain, opening a roster spot for Justin Foscue, the club's No. 5 prospect. He should make some starts at first, but Duran gets the call there on Opening Day.

Rotation:

With Jacob deGrom, Max Scherzer and Tyler Mahle all delayed until at least the summer with varying injuries -- and the recent signing of Michael Lorenzen -- the Rangers' rotation will fluctuate plenty throughout the season.

NL EAST

BRAVES

Lineup:

This is essentially the same lineup that produced one of the most productive seasons in MLB history last year.

Rotation:

Fried and Strider are legit Cy Young candidates. Morton and Sale might no longer fit that category, but both still have the potential to be difference-makers.

This browser does not support the video element.

MARLINS

Lineup:

Miami is banking on full seasons from Burger and Bell to offset a lineup without Jorge Soler, but it will need to be a collective effort after the lineup finished with the NL’s fewest runs. The addition of bounceback candidate Anderson gives the Marlins two former batting champions (also Arraez). With right-hander Mitch Keller on the mound, Miami has four lefties and a switch-hitter in the lineup.

Rotation:

Left-hander Braxton Garrett (general left shoulder soreness) and right-handers Edward Cabrera (right shoulder impingement) and Eury Pérez (elbow soreness) are sidelined with injuries, giving the rotation a left-handed-heavy look. The fifth spot will go to Miami’s No. 3 prospect Meyer, who hasn’t pitched in a MLB regular-season game since July 2022 due to Tommy John surgery rehab.

METS

Lineup:

The Mets bolstered their lineup late in camp with the addition of J.D. Martinez, but Stewart will open the season at DH while Martinez works his way back into playing shape at Triple-A Syracuse.

Rotation:

A shoulder injury will keep ace Kodai Senga out until at least May, which opened a spot for Megill to join the rotation. The Mets plan to slot Megill third, because they like how he matches up against Milwaukee's right-handed heavy lineup.

NATIONALS

Lineup:

The Nationals found success last season with the speedy duo of Abrams and Thomas at the top of the order. They are looking to boost their offensive production in 2024, and hope new additions Gallo and Rosario can help spark that.

Rotation:

Gray got the nod for his first career Opening Day start. The veteran southpaw Corbin will follow in the No. 2 turn. Williams beat out Zach Davies for the fifth spot.

PHILLIES

Lineup:

Rob Thomson’s already been asked a billion times about who’s hitting leadoff in 2024. Schwarber? Turner? Stott? He always mentions the Phillies’ winning record with Schwarber in the top spot, which is the lefty slugger lands there for Opening Day.

Rotation:

The Phillies’ rotation had an MLB-best 17.7 fWAR last season, which is a big reason why they re-signed Nola to a seven-year, $172 million deal in November and Wheeler to a three-year, $126 million extension in March. Taijuan Walker will open the season on the IL with an impingement in his right shoulder. The Phils do not believe it is serious. Turnbull, who signed a $2 million deal in February, will start in his place until he returns.

NL CENTRAL

BREWERS

Lineup:

"The best hitters hit the most," Brewers manager Pat Murphy likes to say. That means Contreras, Yelich, Adames and now Hoskins, the four cornerstones of the NL Central champs' 2024 lineup. Then there's the big debut to watch: Chourio, the No. 2 prospect in baseball, is the Opening Day right fielder.

Rotation:

Freddy Peralta, RHP
DL Hall, LHP
Colin Rea, RHP
Joe Ross, RHP
Jakob Junis, RHP

For the first time in years, this group doesn’t include Corbin Burnes or Brandon Woodruff, with Burnes traded to Baltimore and Woodruff rehabbing from shoulder surgery. Peralta will make his first career Opening Day start, with the electric young left-hander Hall and Rea to follow in the first series of the year against the Mets at Citi Field.

This browser does not support the video element.

CARDINALS

Lineup:

Injuries to Tommy Edman (wrist surgery), Lars Nootbaar (two rib fractures) and Dylan Carlson (sprained shoulder) ruined the Cardinals' plans in the outfield and caused them to adapt. Strong springs by Burleson and Matt Carpenter eased some of those issues. Carlson's injury opened the door for Scott, the club's No. 4 prospect. The Cardinals are hopeful that Goldschmidt and Arenado can have big bounce-back seasons and deliver production levels similar to what they did in 2022. Gorman, who hit 27 home runs in 119 games last season, seems to have gotten past the back issues that plagued him for two years and he could be headed toward a monster season. There are no questions about Winn’s glove, but he must prove he can handle big league pitching following late-season struggles last year.

Rotation:

Gray’s right hamstring injury on March 4 ended any chances of him being the club’s Opening Day starter and he'll open the season on the 15-day injured list. Thompson beat out fellow left-hander and close friend Matthew Liberatore for a rotation spot. Lynn, who is in his second stint with the Cardinals, is set up to pitch the home opener against the Marlins on April 4.

CUBS

Lineup:

Cubs manager Craig Counsell prefers to keep the DH as a rotation of players, and Mike Tauchman is another option against righties. Infielder Patrick Wisdom (back) will opens the year on the injured list.

Rotation:

Steele is locked in as the Opening Day starter. Righty Jameson Taillon (lower back) opens the year the IL, which creates an extra vacancy in the rotation. Counsell said that Wicks and Assad would start the season as part of the staff.

PIRATES

Lineup:

Cruz’s return to the lineup cannot be overstated, because if he’s on time and making contact, he has a chance to be one of the most dangerous power-and-speed hitters in the game. He could have an impact similar to Ronald Acuña Jr. on the days when he's leading off.

Rotation:

Jones, Pittsburgh's No. 3 prospect, makes the Opening Day rotation in a move that reflects manager Derek Shelton's stated goal of bringing the best rotation north out of Spring Training.

REDS

Lineup:

With Matt McLain and TJ Friedl opening the season on the injured list, the Reds will rely on their surplus of position players to carry the load. Multiple permutations for Reds lineups could frequently feature the newly acquired Santiago Espinal, Stuart Fairchild and Nick Martini.

Rotation:

Injuries took a toll on the Reds rotation last season. If Montas can return to his 2021 form, when he made 32 starts for Oakland, this group looks a lot tougher for hitters.

This browser does not support the video element.

NL WEST

D-BACKS

Lineup:

Carroll and Marte will flip in the lineup when there’s a righty on the mound. With left-hander Kyle Freeland getting the ball for the Rockies, Alexander -- the D-backs' No. 21 prospect -- is in the Opening Day lineup for his MLB debut. Randal Grichuk will DH against left-handers often, but he opens the year on the 10-day injured list as he continues his recovery from offseason right ankle surgery.

Rotation:

Eduardo Rodriguez starting the season on the injured list opened two rotation spots with three starters -- Henry, Nelson and Bryce Jarvis -- as candidates. Jarvis, who had an impressive camp, will open the year as the long man in the bullpen.

DODGERS

Lineup:

The Dodgers will continue to play around with this lineup throughout the season, but having a superstar trio at the top isn’t a bad start, huh?

Rotation:

Walker Buehler and Emmet Sheehan will begin the season on the injured list, which opened up a spot for Stone to grab a rotation spot.

This browser does not support the video element.

GIANTS

Lineup:

Between Lee, Soler and Chapman, the Giants have added three everyday players who should help stabilize a lineup that has lacked continuity in recent years.

Rotation:

Signing Snell instantly changed the look of this rotation and gave the Giants two legitimate frontline starters. With Robbie Ray and Alex Cobb returning from injuries later in the season, the Giants could have one of baseball's top rotations.

PADRES

Lineup:

Merrill is the youngest Opening Day center fielder in Padres history, having moved to the position full time only a few weeks ago. Wade gets the first call at third base with Machado opening the season at DH following elbow surgery, but Eguy Rosario and Graham Pauley are also on the roster.

Rotation:

The addition of Cease gives the Padres the frontline replacement for Blake Snell that they’d been searching for. It also bumps King, who had an excellent spring, into the No. 4 spot while the knuckleballer Waldron got the call over Jhony Brito, Pedro Avila and Randy Vásquez.

ROCKIES

Lineup:

The Rockies are trading speed at the top of the lineup for on-base ability.

Rotation:

Right-hander Peter Lambert was in competition for a spot, but he will go to the bullpen as a long reliever.

Every team's projected Opening Day lineup, rotation

More from MLB.com

Pirates to continue 4:12 first pitch at home opener

Video of kid invited to Phillies Opening Day goes viral

Joe Espada discusses 2024 Opening Day family reunion

Nick Senzel suffers a thumb fracture on Opening Day

Jackson Chourio makes MLB debut on Opening Day