MLB Player News

Pederson (side/hip) is able to take batting practice but expects his first game appearance to be in minor-league camp, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

Though Pederson has been ramping up his intensity in the batting cage, his comments Monday suggest that he isn't close to taking the field. Manager Dave Roberts has likewise indicated that the team's focus is on getting Pederson healthy rather than rushing him toward readiness for Opening Day, casting significant doubt on the outfielder's status for the March 26 opener.

Carpenter (back) will start at third base and bat third in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Twins, Rick Hummel of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

A bout of back tightness kept Carpenter out of the lineup for the Cardinals' previous four spring games, but the veteran gained clearance to rejoin the starting nine after he was able to complete full workouts over the weekend without incident. Before his brief shutdown, Carpenter had made two starts this spring, going 2-for-4 at the dish.

Pederson (side/hip) raised his intensity to 80 percent Sunday, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

The outfielder has been swinging a bat as he recovers from a sore right side/hip, with Sunday's increase in intensity indicating notable progress. Still, manager Dave Roberts indicated that Pederson is still a couple weeks away from getting into a game, casting doubt on his status for Opening Day.

Carpenter (back) will be in the lineup for Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Twins, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Carpenter was previously expected to rejoin the lineup sometime this weekend, but he's instead been taking batting practice and fielding ground balls. Regardless, it doesn't appear the back issue will impact the veteran infielder's availability for Opening Day, barring a setback.

Turner wasn't supposed to be included in Sunday's lineup and will start Monday's Cactus League game against the Reds, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Turner was slated to start at third base and bat second Sunday before the team released an updated lineup, but manager Dave Roberts said his initial inclusion was a mistake and that it's just a scheduled off day. The 35-year-old will continue his regular preparations for Opening Day after posting a .290/.372/.509 slash line with 27 home runs in 135 games last season.

Miller was scratched from Sunday's Grapefruit League lineup against the Astros with lower back stiffness, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Miller was slated to start at third base and bat fifth, but he was instead removed from the lineup with the back issue. The team labeled the veteran infielder as day-to-day, so it doesn't appear to be a serious concern.

Turner was scratched from Sunday's Cactus League lineup against the Rangers.

The 35-year-old was slated to bat second and start at third base, but he's absent from the updated lineup released by the team. There's been no announcement or reporting of an injury, so it's unclear when Turner is expected to next take the field.

Carpenter (back) is not in the lineup for Sunday's spring game against the Astros, according to Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat.

Manager Mike Shildt indicated Friday that Carpenter could return to the lineup this weekend, but it turns out that will not be the case. Carpenter should not be out much longer and could resume playing at some point in the coming days.

McCutchen (knee) will open the season on the injured list, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

McCutchen is still working his way back from the ACL tear he suffered last June. At the start of February, he said that he expected to be ready to go by the start of the regular season, but things have evidently not progressed as he'd hoped. The Phillies hope he'll be back sometime in April. In his absence, Jay Bruce, Nick Williams and Roman Quinn could play larger roles.

Pederson (side/hip) swung in a batting cage Friday, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

Pederson has been out with a strained side and a sore hip for over a week, but he both played catch and took some swings Friday, so he's seemingly on the mend. Assuming he gets back into game action soon and doesn't suffer any setbacks, he should have enough time to be ready for Opening Day.