MLB Player News

Beer was optioned to Triple-A Reno on Sunday.

Beer clubbed two home runs in 10 spring training games but hit just .231 and was unable to earn a spot on the Opening Day roster. The 26-year-old played in 38 contests for Arizona last season and had a .189/.278/.243 slash line.

Morel went 0-for-2 with a walk while striking out twice Saturday in a Cactus League game against the Giants.

Morel has gotten off to a rough start in Arizona, as the hitless game now has him slashing .216/.293/.418. The 23-year-old showed flashes of brilliance in his rookie campaign with 16 home runs and a .741 OPS over 379 at-bats, but he is likely to serve in a utility role for the 2023 campaign and isn't expected to provide fantasy significance to begin the year.

Pederson went 1-for-4 with an RBI in Friday's Cactus League loss to the Athletics.

Pederson struggled at the World Baseball Classic, going 1-for-9 with a double over three games with Israel. He's now back in Giants camp, and he's continuing with learning first base after starting there Friday. The 30-year-old is also likely to start primarily against right-handers while seeing time in the outfield and at designated hitter this season. Pederson is hitting .278 (5-for-18) across seven Cactus League games.

Lewis went 2-for-2 with two doubles and three RBI in Friday's spring game against the Rockies.

Lewis leads the Diamondbacks with nine RBI in the Cactus League after getting a late start due to leg issues. He's looking to nail down a fifth outfield spot with Pavin Smith also in the mix. Each have posted results worthy of making the roster, but the decision likely comes down to which one manager Torey Lovullo thinks he'll use the most. From that perspective, Lewis' right-handed bat might give him an edge in an outfield that has three lefty-batters at the top of the depth chart.

Vogelbach has gone 6-for-23 in Grapefruit League play with zero home runs and a 0:10 BB:K through eight appearances.

The 30-year-old posted a solid .829 OPS in 183 plate appearances with the Mets last season after being acquired from the Pirates, and Vogelbach heads into 2023 expected to fill the strong side of a platoon at DH. His spring numbers aren't encouraging, but his career .238/.364/.458 slash line against right-handed pitching with 61 homers in roughly two full seasons worth of plate appearances offers a better glimpse at his likely production.

Blackmon (back) will not return to the Rockies' lineup before the end of the weekend, Danielle Allentuck of The Denver Gazette reports.

Blackmon has already missed a week of action with back soreness and won't return for at least a few more days. There's been no indication that his readiness for Opening Day could be in doubt, so a return at some point next week seems likely.

Harper (elbow) hit soft toss Thursday in Phillies camp, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

It's another step forward for Harper, who had been limited to tee work since he arrived at the Phillies' spring training complex earlier this month. On the mend from Tommy John and ulnar nerve transposition surgery, the 30-year-old slugger is expected to be ready to return at DH for the reigning NL champs just prior to the All-Star break, so he still has plenty of rehab work ahead of him.

McCutchen was sidelined Thursday in Pirates camp due to minor right elbow soreness, Justice delos Santos of MLB.com reports.

It's not believed to be anything serious, but Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said the team will "take it very slow with Andrew." He'll probably spend the weekend getting rest and treatment before a reevaluation of the situation early next week.

Ozuna went 2-for-3 with a walk, a double, two runs scored and four RBI in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies.

The veteran slugger banged out his fourth two-bagger of the spring against Cristopher Sanchez as part of a four-run first inning. Ozuna is now hitting .321 (9-for-28) in camp, and while he's still looking for his first homer, he at least appears ready for Opening Day. The 32-year-old is looking to rebound from a rough 2022 campaign that saw him slash just .226/.274/.413, and he could offer some late-round power production this season.

Carpenter and Nelson Cruz will likely share DH duties this season, Jeff Snider of SI.com reports.

Carpenter and Cruz are both newcomers to the Padres this season, and they form a natural platoon pair with the former being a left-handed batter and the latter batting from the right side of the plate. Carpenter has also been playing first base this spring, per Jack Magruder of MLB.com, so he figures to get additional at-bats by occasionally starting at that position. San Diego will be hoping that the veteran can recapture some of the magic that led Carpenter to a huge bounce-back campaign with the Yankees last season, when he slashed .305/.412/.727 with 15 homers and 37 RBI over just 154 plate appearances.