MLB Player News

Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen was scratched from the lineup for Saturday's Grapefruit League contest against the Red Sox due to flu-like symptoms, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports. McCutchen, who finished third in the NL MVP Award voting last season, is hitting just .194 this spring. He also has two home runs and eight RBI over 14 exhibition games.

Giants first baseman Brandon Belt has always had the physical tools to translate his minor-league success to the big-league level, and he finally thinks he has developed the mental fortitude to become a big-time producer his season.

"There are going to be some tough times in there," Belt told the San Jose Mercury Friday. "But I'm not the same player from a mental aspect. I know what to expect now. I'm going in with a lot more confidence this year."

Belt had arguably his finest performance of the spring Friday in Cactus League action against the Rockies, as he went 4 for 4 in an 11-6 win. He wound up one triple short of a cycle in the game, hitting his second home run late in the game instead. He drove in four runs and raised his batting average to .439 in 18 spring games. 

Mets infielder Daniel Murphy took batting practice Friday, but is still not expected to return to the lineup for a few days as he continues to deal with an intercostal strain. Murphy will not be in the lineup Saturday. Mets manager Terry Collins told reporters that if Murphy is to be ready for opening day, he will have to get into a game by this weekend. If Murphy is not ready for opening day, Justin Murphy is expected to get the call at second base to open the season. 

Phillies outfielder Darin Ruf went 2 for 4 and clubbed a game-winning, solo homer in the ninth inning to lift Philadelphia to a 7-6 win over Atlanta in Grapefruit League play Friday. Ruf, who also drew a walk and scored three times, recorded his second homer of the spring off Daniel Rodriguez.

Following his late heroics, the Phillies optioned him to Triple-A Lehigh Valley, essentially providing Domonic Brown the starting job in left field for the upcoming season. "He's gonna be a big-time hitter," manager Charlie Manuel said of Ruf. "I think he's got a bright career."

The growing buzz surrounding Cardinals infielder Matt Carpenter this spring reached another level Friday as he was slotted as the leadoff hitter during the team's Grapefruit League game against Houston. Carpenter is considered the leading candidate to serve as the starting second baseman on opening day after entering play Friday with a .396 batting average and seven doubles.

Cardinals manager Mike Matheny cited Carpenter's strong ability to reach base as an impetus for putting him atop the lineup -- he ranks third in the Grapefruit League with a sterling .491 on-base percentage.

"I think that is something that could potentially crop up during the season with Matt's ability to get on base," Matheny told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "We're never going to ignore that at the top of our lineup."

Mets manager Terry Collins didn't have an update Wednesday on the status of third baseman David Wright, who is battling an intercostal strain, but said he was more confident about Wright being ready for opening day than Daniel Murphy, who is dealing with the same injury, The Star-Ledger reported.

Collins added if Wright is ready and Murphy is not, then he's leaning toward playing Justin Turner over Jordany Valdespin at second base.

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper had another big day at the plate during Wednesday's spring game against the Marlins. Harper accounted for four of the team's RBI during a 7-5 win. Harper finished 2 for 3 with his fourth spring double. He's now batting .400 (20 for 50) with one triple, three homers and 12 RBI in 18 spring games.

Mets infielder Justin Turner said Wednesday his sprained right ankle is virtually healed, but he will not make the trip to Kissimmee on Wednesday night to face the Astros. "Full activity -- except for going on the trip," Turner said, per ESPN.

CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman reports the Marlins' opening day roster is beginning to take shape. Heyman said the defensive alignment will be Rob Brantly at catcher, Casey Kotchman at first base, Donovan Solano at second base, Adeiny Hechavarria at shortstop, Placido Polanco at third base, Juan Pierre in left field, Justin Ruggiano in center field and Giancarlo Stanton in right field.

The rotation isn't settled yet, but Ricky Nolasco, Henderson Alvarez and Nate Eovaldi have secured spots. The final two spots remain up for grabs.

With two key regulars of the Mets' infield -- third baseman David Wright and second baseman Daniel Murphy -- nursing injuries, manager Terry Collins devised a contingency plan Sunday in case the two are unavailable for opening day.

Justin Turner, who has the ability to play several positions in the infield, would assume Wright's spot at third base, while Jordany Valdespin could take over second base, which would place a short-term hold on his development as an outfielder.

After cracking the majors for the first time last season, Valdespin has improved immensely on offense this spring. He slugged his fourth homer in Grapefruit League play Sunday against Atlanta and is now carrying a .378 batting average through 13 games.