Harrison Bader News: Homers in team debut

Bader went 2-for-4 with a double and a two-run home run in Thursday's loss against the Cardinals.

Jose Miranda will be needed at third base while Royce Lewis (hamstring) and Brooks Lee (back) are on the shelf to begin the season, and Bader looks like he could be an indirect beneficiary from a playing-time standpoint. He drew a start in the corner outfield Thursday while Matt Wallner shifted to designated hitter, and Bader's strong performance in the opener will help his cause for remaining in the lineup in the short term.