Every team's projected 2025 Opening Day lineup, rotation

Every team's projected 2025 Opening Day lineup, rotation

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      The 2025 Major League Baseball season is upon us at long last. Though the Hot Stove flame still flickers while teams look to tweak their roster as Spring Training gets underway, the foundations and expectations for most squads are set.

      With help from MLB.com's 30 beat writers, here's how each team's lineup and rotation figures to stack up come Opening Day.

      Jump to: AL Central | AL West | NL East | NL Central | NL West

      AMERICAN LEAGUE EAST

      BLUE JAYS

      Lineup
      1. , SS
      2. , 1B
      3. , RF
      4. , LF
      5. , CF
      6. , 2B
      7. , C
      8. , DH
      9. , 3B

      So much depends on whether Varsho (right shoulder) is ready for Opening Day and will need regular at-bats somehow, but with the Santander signing alone, the Blue Jays have strengthened their lineup.

      Rotation
      1. , RHP
      2. , RHP
      3. , RHP
      4. , RHP
      5. , RHP

      This is a fine-looking group, especially with ready to step in when needed, and Scherzer's signing adds a fascinating dynamic to a group that was already leaning on savvy veterans. -- Keegan Matheson

      ORIOLES

      Lineup
      1. , SS
      2. , 3B
      3. , C
      4. , RF
      5. , LF
      6. , DH
      7. , 1B
      8. , 2B
      9. , CF

      Gunnar Henderson's Opening Day status is in question due to a mild right intercostal strain. If the 23-year-old begins the year on the injured list, either Jordan Westburg or Jackson Holliday would likely slide over to shortstop, with Ramón Urías then getting the start at second or third.

      Rotation
      1. , RHP
      2. , RHP
      3. , RHP
      4. , RHP
      5. , LHP

      Grayson Rodriguez will open the season on the injured list due to soreness in his right triceps/discomfort near the back of his right elbow. Albert Suárez should make the team, but he could still be heading for the bullpen because of the strong spring performance by Povich, who would give the O's a lefty in their rotation. -- Jake Rill

      RAYS

      Lineup
      1. , 1B
      2. , 2B
      3. , 3B
      4. , RF
      5. , LF
      6. , DH
      7. , C
      8. , CF
      9. , SS

      This lineup looks a lot like the one that the Rays finished last season with, aside from the addition of Jansen and DeLuca replacing in center field, as free-agent addition (right shoulder surgery) will start the season on the IL.

      Rotation
      1. , LHP
      2. , RHP
      3. , RHP
      4. , RHP
      5. , RHP

      This is tough to predict, because the Rays will enter the spring with six top starters (these five, plus ) competing for five spots. Most likely, health and availability will determine which starter gets squeezed out to begin the season; nearly all of them have previous injuries or potential workload limitations to consider. -- Adam Berry

      RED SOX

      Lineup
      1. , LF
      2. , 3B
      3. , DH
      4. , 1B
      5. , SS
      6. , C
      7. , 2B
      8. , RF
      9. , CF

      With Bregman’s big right-handed bat added to the mix, there are questions about how the infield will align and if Rafael Devers will be moved to DH. Manager Alex Cora said those issues will be sorted during Spring Training, but Boston’s lineup looks loaded.

      Rotation
      1. , LHP
      2. , RHP
      3. , RHP
      4. , RHP
      5. , RHP

      Blossoming ace Crochet (acquired through trade) and veteran Buehler should help the rotation take a big leap, as should the return of Lucas Giolito, who missed all of last season recovering from a right UCL repair and is slated to start the fifth game of the season, per Cora. With Brayan Bello set to open the season on the injured list, Fitts is the candidate most likely to step in. -- Ian Browne

      YANKEES

      Lineup
      1. , C
      2. , RF
      3. , CF
      4. , 1B
      5. , 2B
      6. , LF
      7. , DH
      8. , SS
      9. , 3B

      The Yankees have played more than 18,000 games in their history, and they've never had a catcher bat leadoff. That could change this coming season, as manager Aaron Boone said he is seriously entertaining Wells as a table-setter, citing his on-base potential.

      Rotation
      1. , LHP
      2. , RHP
      3. , LHP
      4. , RHP
      5. , RHP

      The Bombers' pitching depth has been slammed this spring, with Gerrit Cole out for the 2025 season because of Tommy John surgery and AL Rookie of the Year Luis Gil lost for at least three months to a right lat strain. Good thing they signed Fried to an eight-year, $218 million deal as part of their post-Juan Soto pivot. -- Bryan Hoch

      AL CENTRAL

      GUARDIANS

      Lineup
      1. , LF
      2. , DH
      3. José Ramírez, 3B
      4. , 1B
      5. , CF
      6. , RF
      7. , C
      8. Gabriel Arias, 2B
      9. , SS

      The second base job is a continuing storyline, and Arias and Guardians No. 10 prospect Juan Brito are among those in the mix. Arias is out of Minor League options and has big league experience, which gives him an edge in this projection. Meanwhile, whether Brennan or Jhonkensy Noel start in right field would depend on Kansas City’s starting pitcher.

      Rotation
      1. , RHP
      2. , RHP
      3. , RHP
      4. , RHP
      5. , RHP

      The fifth spot in the rotation is a continued storyline this spring as McKenzie (who’s out of Minor League options) looks to return to form after his tough 2024 season. Other Guardians pitchers stretching out include Logan Allen, Joey Cantillo, Slade Cecconi and Doug Nikhazy -- who has also made a big impression in Cactus League play. -- Tim Stebbins

      ROYALS

      Lineup
      1. , 2B
      2. , SS
      3. , 1B
      4. , C
      5. , LF
      6. , RF
      7. , DH
      8. , 3B
      9. , CF

      The Royals got a big boost to the top of their lineup when they acquired India, who will slot in as the leadoff hitter and share second-base duties with Massey, with the potential for either/both to go to left field or third base if they can show the ability to do so in spring.

      Rotation
      1. , LHP
      2. , RHP
      3. , RHP
      4. , RHP
      5. , LHP

      The fifth spot of the rotation will be a competition, with Bubic competing with , while (right shoulder soreness) and Kyle Wright (right hamstring strain) are dealing with early injuries this spring. Whoever doesn’t win that spot has the potential to help out in the bullpen. -- Anne Rogers

      TIGERS

      Lineup
      1. , CF
      2. , 2B
      3. , LF
      4. , DH
      5. , 1B
      6. , 3B
      7. Wenceel Pérez, RF
      8. , SS
      9. , C

      With Matt Vierling out for Opening Day with a right rotator cuff muscle strain and Parker Meadows questionable with a nerve issue in his upper right arm, Detroit’s lineup becomes a little trickier at the top. The switch-hitting Pérez could see a jump in playing time in Vierling’s absence.

      Rotation
      1. , LHP
      2. , RHP
      3. , RHP
      4. , RHP
      5. , RHP

      Alex Cobb's right hip inflammation takes him out of play for the start of the season, setting up a battle for the final two spots. -- Jason Beck

      TWINS

      Lineup
      1. , RF
      2. , SS
      3. , CF
      4. , LF
      5. , 3B
      6. , DH
      7. , 2B
      8. , 1B
      9. , C

      These are probably the nine players most likely to take the field, but there are multiple other combinations of players, positions and orders that manager Rocco Baldelli could use.

      Rotation
      1. , RHP
      2. , RHP
      3. , RHP
      4. , RHP
      5. , RHP

      Assuming everyone is healthy, this is a deep and talented group, with some talented youngsters waiting in the wings. -- Matthew Leach

      WHITE SOX

      Lineup
      1. , SS
      2. , 2B
      3. , CF
      4. , 1B
      5. , 3B
      6. , RF
      7. , DH
      8. , C
      9. , LF

      provides a right-handed-hitting outfield option against a left-handed starter for the Angels, if the team chooses to go that direction. Robert should continue to draw trade interest during Spring Training, and will likely miss Opening Day after a pitch fractured his hand on Feb. 27.

      Rotation
      1. , RHP
      2. , RHP
      3. , LHP
      4. , RHP
      5. , RHP

      eventually will be part of this front five. But the right-hander suffered offseason setbacks recovering from Sept. 7 surgery to shave down a bone spur in his right elbow and won’t be ready at the start of the season. -- Scott Merkin

      AL WEST

      ANGELS

      Lineup
      1. , LF
      2. , 2B
      3. , RF
      4. , DH
      5. , 1B
      6. , C
      7. , CF
      8. , 3B
      9. , SS

      With Trout moving to right, the Angels will use a combination of Adell, Mickey Moniak and Ward in center, although Ward is the club’s primary left fielder. Soler is the club’s main option at DH but will also see time in both corner outfield spots. Shortstop is expected to open the season on the injured list after undergoing surgery on his right shoulder in November.

      Rotation
      1. , LHP
      2. , LHP
      3. , RHP
      4. , RHP
      5. , RHP

      Anderson and Kikuchi are the top candidates to start Opening Day, while the fifth spot is up for grabs, with Kochanowicz and lefty as the top two candidates. -- Rhett Bollinger

      ASTROS

      Lineup
      1. , LF
      2. , 3B
      3. , DH
      4. , 1B
      5. , C
      6. , SS
      7. , RF
      8. , 2B
      9. , CF

      The big question is whether Altuve will start the season in left field or his natural position of second base, but no matter where he plays on defense, the first six spots in Houston’s lineup are solid.

      Rotation
      1. , LHP
      2. , RHP
      3. , RHP
      4. , RHP
      5. , RHP

      Valdez and Brown are an elite 1-2 combination at the top of the rotation and Blanco and Arrighetti were workhorses last year, but there’s some depth concerns with newcomer Wesneski penciled into the fifth spot. -- Brian McTaggart

      ATHLETICS

      Lineup
      1. , RF
      2. , LF
      3. , CF
      4. , C
      5. , 1B
      6. , DH
      7. , 2B
      8. , 3B
      9. , SS

      With Rooker now fully recovered from his right forearm injury, the DH spot will likely see somewhat of a rotation between Rooker, Andujar and .

      Rotation
      1. , RHP
      2. , LHP
      3. , RHP
      4. , LHP
      5. , RHP

      Severino is the heavy favorite to take the mound come Opening Day, while the fifth spot will be decided by a spring competition that includes Estes, , and . -- Martín Gallegos

      MARINERS

      Lineup
      1. , RF
      2. , CF
      3. , C
      4. , LF
      5. , 1B
      6. , DH
      7. , 3B
      8. , 2B
      9. , SS

      The Mariners didn't make many, if any, significant offensive additions, with the return of Polanco, coming off a down year, being the most notable.

      Rotation
      1. , RHP
      2. , RHP
      3. , RHP
      4. , RHP
      5. , RHP

      George Kirby has been shut down with right shoulder inflammation and is likely to open the season on the injured list. This opens a spot for Hancock, who posted a 4.75 ERA in 12 starts last season. -- Daniel Kramer

      RANGERS

      Lineup
      1. , 2B
      2. , SS
      3. , LF
      4. , RF
      5. , DH
      6. , 3B
      7. , 1B
      8. , C
      9. , CF

      The Rangers' outfield spots are up for grabs, specifically the center-field spot between and a recently healthy Carter. That being said, the club has flipped for Burger at first base and added a designated hitter in Pederson, giving the lineup some much-needed pop.

      Rotation
      1. , RHP
      2. , RHP
      3. , RHP
      4. , LHP
      5. , RHP

      Rookie pitchers and former Vanderbilt teammates and will be waiting in the wings as depth options, but when everybody’s healthy, those five veterans are likely to open the season in the rotation. -- Kennedi Landry

      NATIONAL LEAGUE EAST

      BRAVES

      Lineup
      1. , LF
      2. , 3B
      3. , 1B
      4. , DH
      5. , 2B
      6. , CF
      7. , C
      8. , RF
      9. , SS

      Profar’s power and plate discipline should adequately fill the leadoff spot until this powerful lineup is bolstered by the return of , who could miss approximately six weeks while recovering from left knee surgery.

      Rotation
      1. , LHP
      2. , RHP
      3. , RHP
      4. , RHP
      5. Ian Anderson, RHP

      Last year’s preseason Cy Young Award favorite could return in late April to join a rotation that includes the eventual winner (Sale), and two of this year’s dark-horse Cy Young candidates (López and Schwellenbach). -- Mark Bowman

      MARLINS

      Lineup
      1. , SS
      2. , 3B
      3. , DH
      4. , RF
      5. , CF
      6. , 1B
      7. , 2B
      8. , LF
      9. , C

      There is only one certainty when it comes to the offensive side of things for Miami: tablesetter Edwards will lead off after batting .328 with 31 steals in 70 games.

      Rotation
      1. , RHP
      2. , LHP
      3. , RHP
      4. , RHP
      5. , RHP

      Alcantara is the Opening Day starter, but manager Clayton McCullough has yet to announce the order after him. Meyer appears to have won a starting job since Valente Bellozo has been piggybacking of late and prospect Adam Mazur was optioned. -- Christina De Nicola

      METS

      Lineup
      1. , SS
      2. , RF
      3. , 1B
      4. , LF
      5. , 3B
      6. , DH
      7. , CF
      8. , 2B
      9. , C

      Injuries to Jeff McNeil and Francisco Alvarez should open spots for Baty and Torrens, weakening the bottom half of this lineup. The Mets will also proceed with time shares at designated hitter and in center field, where Starling Marte and Jose Siri will frequently play.

      Rotation

      1. , RHP
      2. , RHP
      3. , LHP
      4. , RHP
      5. , RHP

      With (right oblique strain) and (high-grade lat strain) sidelined to start the season, Canning, Megill and are the candidates to fill the last two rotation spots. Megill has an accessible Minor League option, which hurts his chances, but the Mets will carry the top two arms from that trio. -- Anthony DiComo

      NATIONALS

      Lineup
      1. , SS
      2. , RF
      3. , LF
      4. , 1B
      5. , DH
      6. , 2B
      7. , C
      8. , 3B
      9. , CF

      The Nationals, who hit the fewest home runs in the NL last year, added offensive power this winter with Lowe and Bell to hit in the middle of the lineup behind the young top of the order that features Crews and Wood playing in their first full Major League seasons.

      Rotation
      1. , LHP
      2. , RHP
      3. , RHP
      4. , LHP
      5. , RHP

      The Nationals’ starting depth is deep this season -- in addition to the five pitchers listed above, and are also in the mix for a spot in the rotation, but they have options for Triple-A. -- Jessica Camerato

      PHILLIES

      Lineup
      1. , SS
      2. , 1B
      3. , 3B
      4. , DH
      5. , RF
      6. , LF
      7. , C
      8. , 2B
      9. , CF

      Rob Thomson is considering a change to the lineup. If Schwarber isn’t leading off, it’s going to be Turner. But Thomson has had both hit leadoff this spring so it’s not set in stone.

      Rotation
      1. , RHP
      2. , LHP
      3. , RHP
      4. , LHP
      5. , LHP

      No surprise that Wheeler will start Opening Day. But starting Luzardo in Game 2 and Sánchez in Game 4 splits up the two hard-throwing lefties. It also allows Sánchez to start the home opener. -- Todd Zolecki

      NL CENTRAL

      BREWERS

      Lineup
      1. , 2B
      2. , LF
      3. , DH
      4. , C
      5. , CF
      6. , 1B
      7. , RF
      8. , SS
      9. Oliver Dunn, 3B

      Chourio may see some time in the leadoff hole this season against lefties, and he could also man some center when Mitchell or Frelick are not stationed there.

      Rotation
      1. , RHP
      2. , LHP
      3. , RHP
      4. , RHP
      5. , LHP

      At some point, the Brewers hope to add former ace to this mix, but he first must complete his comeback from right shoulder surgery in October 2023. -- Adam McCalvy

      CARDINALS

      Lineup
      1. , SS
      2. , 1B
      3. , LF
      4. , 3B
      5. , 2B
      6. , C
      7. , DH
      8. , RF
      9. , CF

      In the event Arenado gets traded -- something that could be a pertinent topic all season -- Gorman would slide over to third and Donovan would play primarily at second base. A Cardinals team that struggled with runners in scoring position might be temped to move Nootbaar into center to get more offense in the lineup. Similarly, Pedro Pagés is the much better defensive option behind the plate, but the Cardinals are hopeful that Herrera makes strides in controlling the running game because of his much higher ceiling offensively. Alec Burleson needs to play four to five days a week because of his bat, and he’ll split time at first base and DH. Bounce-back seasons from Walker and Gorman are big keys for the Cards offensively.

      Rotation
      1. , RHP
      2. , RHP
      3. , RHP
      4. , LHP
      5. , RHP

      The Cards are again right-handed heavy in their rotation, so Matz gets the nod over blossoming right-hander Michael McGreevy to open the season. St. Louis thinks it really found something in Pallante, a reliever-turned-starter who limited foes to three earned runs or fewer in 15 out of 20 starts last season. Can Mikolas and Matz bounce back after consecutive down years? -- John Denton

      CUBS

      Lineup
      1. , LF
      2. , RF
      3. , DH
      4. , 1B
      5. , SS
      6. , CF
      7. , 2B
      8. , 3B
      9. , C

      With Nico Hoerner (October surgery on right forearm) not in the plans for the Tokyo Series (March 18-19), Berti would be the leading candidate as a temporary option at second. Veteran Justin Turner will get some time at first base, too. Amaya and veteran catcher Carson Kelly will have a timeshare behind the plate.

      Rotation
      1. , LHP
      2. , RHP
      3. , LHP
      4. , LHP
      5. , RHP

      With Javier Assad (left oblique) slowed at the start of camp, free-agent addition Colin Rea is the front-runner for the fifth spot. Younger options like and will also be in the running. -- Jordan Bastian

      PIRATES

      Lineup
      1. , DH
      2. , RF
      3. , CF
      4. , C
      5. , 2B
      6. , 1B
      7. , 3B
      8. , LF
      9. , SS

      Health is going to be key for the bottom half of the lineup, whether it's Hayes staying on the field or getting first baseman Spencer Horwitz back sooner rather than later.

      Rotation
      1. , RHP
      2. , RHP
      3. , RHP
      4. , LHP
      5. , LHP

      The Pirates may have the best mix of upside and depth in their starting rotation, especially with top 100 prospects and waiting in the wings. -- Alex Stumpf

      REDS

      Lineup
      1. , 2B
      2. , SS
      3. , C
      4. , 1B
      5. , DH
      6. , CF
      7. 3B
      8. , LF
      9. , RF

      Both corner infield spots are viewed as open, which means or could find their way into the lineup with a strong camp.

      Rotation
      1. , RHP
      2. , RHP
      3. , RHP
      4. , LHP
      5. , RHP

      This is a challenging prediction because Cincinnati is entering camp with eight starters in the mix, and multiple pitchers who contributed to the rotation last season could be on the outside looking in. 's name is the most difficult to omit among this group, but he shouldn't be counted out. -- Mark Sheldon

      NL WEST

      D-BACKS

      Lineup
      1. , RF
      2. , 2B
      3. , LF
      4. , 1B
      5. , 3B
      6. , C
      7. / , DH
      8. , CF
      9. , SS

      The Diamondbacks will mix-and-match at DH once again this year, with Smith and Grichuk the likely duo. McCarthy and figure to battle it out in Spring Training for the starting center-field job.

      Rotation
      1. , RHP
      2. , RHP
      3. , RHP
      4. , LHP
      5. , RHP

      How the Diamondbacks sort through having seven starters, including and , will be one of the most-watched storylines of the spring. -- Steve Gilbert

      DODGERS

      Lineup
      1. , DH
      2. , SS
      3. , 1B
      4. , RF
      5. , 3B
      6. , C
      7. , LF
      8. , 2B
      9. , CF

      Even with a couple of new faces in the mix, this lineup should not look very different from last year's starting nine, led by the Dodgers' three MVPs at the top.

      Rotation
      1. , LHP
      2. , RHP
      3. , RHP
      4. , RHP
      5. , RHP

      Snell and Sasaki are the high-profile additions to this deep group, which will stretch out to a six-man rotation once Ohtani's built up as a starting pitcher. During spring, May had been in competition with Tony Gonsolin -- who hurt his back while lifting weights and will start the season on the IL -- for the fifth spot. -- Sonja Chen

      GIANTS

      Lineup
      1. , 1B
      2. , SS
      3. , CF
      4. , 3B
      5. , LF
      6. , RF
      7. , 2B
      8. , DH
      9. , C

      Adames should add some much-needed punch after joining the club on a seven-year, $182 million deal, but the Giants are also hoping to get a major boost from the return of Lee, who missed most of his rookie season after suffering a season-ending left shoulder injury last May.

      Rotation
      1. , RHP
      2. , RHP
      3. , LHP
      4. , RHP
      5. , LHP

      After losing Blake Snell to the Dodgers, the Giants will be counting on two other former Cy Young winners -- Ray and Verlander -- to stay healthy and provide stability behind the ultra-durable Webb. -- Maria Guardado

      PADRES

      Lineup
      1. , 1B
      2. , RF
      3. , 3B
      4. , CF
      5. , SS
      6. , 2B
      7. , DH
      8. , LF
      9. , C

      The Padres landed Joe and Heyward in early February, planning to platoon them in left field. As such, they’re looking for one more bat -- whether external or internal -- to emerge as a DH option.

      Rotation
      1. , RHP
      2. , RHP
      3. , RHP
      4. , RHP
      5. , RHP

      Pivetta’s deal, which is pending a physical, gives the Padres clarity in their rotation race: It's a handful of pitchers vying for one spot at the back end -- including Vásquez, Matt Waldron, Kyle Hart and Stephen Kolek. -- AJ Cassavell

      ROCKIES

      Lineup
      1. , CF
      2. , 2B
      3. , SS
      4. , RF
      5. , 3B
      6. , LF
      7. , 1B
      8. , DH
      9. , C

      To correct an offense that has been startlingly poor considering that Coors Field is home, the Rockies need the top of the lineup to provide patience and speed, Bryant to provide a semblance of what he did in the past with the Cubs, and younger players throughout to continue their growth.

      Rotation
      1. , LHP
      2. , RHP
      3. , LHP
      4. , RHP
      5. , RHP

      Freeland, Márquez and Senzatela have started postseason games for this club, but they and others must regain health and production -- or else a group of prospects (led by righty , MLB's No. 25 prospect) -- will usher in the next attempt for the Rockies to build a rotation that can sustain winning. -- Thomas Harding

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