MLB Player News

Winker isn't in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Pirates, Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic reports.

Winker was slated to sit out Saturday prior to the game raining out, but the Reds maintained a similar lineup Sunday. Winker is still expected to draw the majority of starts alongside Scott Schebler and Yasiel Puig, though it is a bit surprising to see him out of the lineup against right-handed starter Trevor Williams.

Pederson went 3-for-3 with a leadoff home run, two walks and four runs scored in an 18-5 victory over the Diamondbacks on Saturday.

The Dodgers leadoff hitter is off to a fantastic start with seven runs and seven hits -- including three home runs -- in the first three games. It looks like Pederson could platoon this season, so keep the expectations in check, but the great start already has owners thinking maybe he could reach a career best in at least the runs category, as his career high is 67 in 2015.

Reyes will be on the bench Saturday against the Giants.

Reyes started both of the Padres' first two games, going hitless in five at-bats. Hunter Renfroe will start in right field and hit fifth Saturday.

Carpenter went 2-for-5 with an RBI single, a walk and two runs in a win over the Brewers on Friday.

Carpenter had gone hitless in his season debut Thursday, but he was an effective table setter at the top of the lineup in Friday's victory. The veteran infielder came home on the first of Paul Goldschmidt's three home runs in the first inning, and he later plated Kolten Wong with a timely seventh-inning single. Carpenter expects to see plenty of quality pitches this season with Goldschmidt hitting directly behind him, a notion only further enforced by the latter's explosive performance Friday.

Winker isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Pirates, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

The Reds are opposing a right-handed pitcher (Trevor Williams) in their second game of the season, leaving the lefty-hitting Winker's exclusion from the starting nine somewhat of a surprise. Manager David Bell may just be looking to keep his bench players sharp early in the season, as Matt Kemp draws in for Winker in left field. Winker is still expected to start the overwhelming share of the Reds' games and serve as the team's primary table setter.

Blackmon went 3-for-5 with a double, a run scored, two RBI and a stolen base in Friday's 6-1 win over the Marlins.

After a rough 0-for-5 showing Opening Day, Blackmon found his groove at the plate, lashing an RBI double in the seventh inning and driving in another run with a single in the ninth. The 32-year-old saw his numbers decline a little in 2018, but he should remain an impact fantasy contributor this season with Coors Field buoying his stats for half his games.

Belt is out of the lineup for Friday's game against San Deigo, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Belt took the collar on Opening Day, going 0-for-4 with two strikeouts. and will likely have to wait until Saturday to pick up his first hit of the 2019 campaign, barring a pinch-hit appearance. Buster Posey will slot in at first base, allowing for Erik Kratz to start behind the plate.

Pederson is out of the lineup for Friday's game against Arizona, Jorge Castillo of the Los Angeles Times reports.

The Dodgers will grant Chris Taylor the start in left field with left-hander Robbie Ray slated to pitch the second contest of the season for the Diamondbacks. Pederson launched two homers Opening Day but will take a seat Friday.

McCutchen went 1-for-4 with a solo homer, a walk and a second run scored in Thursday's victory over the Braves.

McCutchen couldn't have started his Phillies career any better, launching a leadoff homer off Julio Teheran in the home side's first at-bat of the season. He later walked to lead off the seventh inning and was eventually driven in by Rhys Hoskins' grand slam. Locked into the leadoff spot with quality hitters behind him in a hitter-friendly park, McCutchen could be in line for a late-career renaissance and is a good bet to score plenty of runs.

Carpenter (back) went 0-for-4 in a season-opening loss to the Brewers on Thursday.

Carpenter was true to his word about being ready to roll for Opening Day after a back injury limited him to 23 at-bats in Grapefruit League play. The veteran was back in his customary leadoff spot, one in which he slashed .264/.380/.539 with 60 extra-base hits (30 doubles, 30 home runs) and 60 RBI last season over 436 at-bats. Carpenter will look to avoid the type of slump that sunk his first full month of the season in 2018 (.145 average in April), which should be a bit easier to accomplish with Paul Goldschmidt now hitting behind him in the No. 2 hole.