Fowler isn't starting Saturday's game against the Cubs.

EDGE Analysis

Even with right-hander Zach Davies on the mound for the Cubs on Saturday, Fowler will take a seat after he went 3-for-14 with one RBI, one stolen base and six strikeouts to begin the season. Anthony Alford will start in center field Saturday, batting eighth.

Fowler will start in center field and bat eighth Thursday against the Cubs.

EDGE Analysis

Manager Derek Shelton has yet to formally name an everyday center fielder, but based on how the Pirates' lineups have shaken out the past few days, Fowler seems to have captured the larger side of a platoon with Anthony Alford. Fowler will be in the lineup Thursday for a third consecutive matchup with a right-hander (Jake Arrieta), while Alford's lone start in the last four games came versus Reds lefty Wade Miley. Fowler has gone 3-for-12 with five strikeouts to begin the season, so he likely doesn't have much job security.

Fowler went 0-for-3 with a pair of strikeouts in a 4-3 loss to the Reds on Monday.

EDGE Analysis

Fowler made his second start in center field Monday. He's hitless since collecting an Opening Day pinch-hit single -- 1-for-8 in all -- and has done little to warrant additional playing time. Fellow center fielder Anthony Alford's struggles are one of the few reasons why Fowler might see more opportunities in the short term.

Fowler will bat eighth and start in center field Saturday against the Cubs.

EDGE Analysis

The left-hander hitter will face righty Jake Arrieta. Fowler collected a pinch-hit single Opening Day, only to fail to later tag up from third base on a would-be sacrifice fly. Fowler could see a bump in potential fantasy value if his starts against right-handed pitching become a trend. The team's other center-field option, Anthony Alford, went 0-for-3 with three strikeouts Thursday, though he did walk twice.

Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said Monday that Fowler will be included on the 26-man Opening Day roster, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Pittsburgh elected to keep Anthony Alford and Fowler as its primary options in center field over non-roster invitee Brian Goodwin, who was reassigned to minor-league camp Monday. Alford is expected to favorite to handle everyday duties in center, likely relegating Fowler to a fourth-outfielder role to begin the season. Utility man Phillip Evans is also a candidate to fill in at either corner spot when starters Bryan Reynolds or Greg Polanco require a day off.

Fowler went 1-for-2 with a bases-clearing double off the right-field wall Sunday against Baltimore.

EDGE Analysis

He saw his first action in left field Sunday after serving as the team's designated hitter Saturday. General manager Ben Cherington recently said he foresaw Fowler as a backup corner outfielder following the team's recent waiver acquisition, but it wouldn't be surprising to see him take on a bigger role if injuries force starters like Gregory Polanco to the sideline.

Manager Derek Shelton expects Fowler to primarily serve as a back-up corner outfielder, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

"I would expect him to play both corners," Shelton said. "We may drift him into center a little bit. We need outfield depth, and to be able to acquire him was good for us." Given right fielder Gregory Polanco's penchant for injury, there is a chance that Fowler could see more playing time than is expected. In 2019, the 26-year-old hit .277 with 25 homers and 12 stolen bases at Triple-A before spending last summer as part of Oakland's alternative training site.

Fowler was traded from the Athletics to the Pirates on Wednesday in exchange for cash considerations, Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 26-year-old was designated for assignment by Oakland earlier this week, and he'll head to Pittsburgh for a change of scenery. Fowler last appeared in the majors in 2018 with a .224/.256/.354 slash line in 203 plate appearances. He had an .810 OPS in 130 games at the Triple-A level in 2019 and should provide organizational outfield depth for the Pirates.

The Athletics designated Fowler for assignment Monday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The transaction clears room on the Athletics' 40-man roster for reliever Trevor Rosenthal, who agreed to a one-year, $11 million contract with the club. Acquired from the Yankees in July 2017 as one of three prospects the Athletics received in exchange for Sonny Gray, Fowler was the first of the trio to reach the big leagues, but he hadn't made an appearance for Oakland since 2018. Fowler likely wasn't near the top of the list for an early call-up this season after slashing a mediocre .277/.333/.477 in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League in 2019, so Oakland elected to cast the outfielder off the 40-man roster. He'll likely head back to Triple-A Las Vegas to open the upcoming campaign if he goes unclaimed off waivers.

Fowler was sent to Triple-A Las Vegas on Monday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Fowler joined Sheldon Neuse in being jettisoned from major-league camp, as the Athletics trimmed down their player pool to 41. The 25-year-old outfielder did little to make a case for an Opening Day roster spot across 12 Cactus League games, hitting just .080 (2-for-25) with two doubles and four RBI. Fowler, who logged 69 games with the Athletics back in 2018, spent the entirety of last season with Triple-A Las Vegas, where he slashed .277/.333/.477 with 54 extra-base hits (22 doubles, seven triples, 25 home runs) and 89 RBI across 130 games while taking advantage of the hitter-friendly conditions of the Pacific Coast League.