MLB Player News

Ozuna took normal fielding practice and threw to bases prior to Saturday's Grapefruit League contest against the Astros, Glenn Sattell of MLB.com reports.

It's another step in the right direction with Ozuna's planned Monday return to the outfield. Sattell reports Ozuna uncorked several strong throws during Saturday's session and got through them without any setbacks. The slugger has only seen time as a designated hitter thus far this spring after undergoing right shoulder surgery last October, and he's been following a throwing program since that point. According to manager Mike Shildt, Ozuna is expected to proceed with his planned spring outfield debut Monday if his shoulder is free of any discomfort Sunday.

Harper walked in both of his plate appearances and scored a run in his spring debut Saturday against the Blue Jays.

Walks are nothing new for Harper, who owns a career walk rate of 14.8 percent and has walked at least 17 percent of the time in three of the last four seasons. He didn't play in the field Saturday but is expected to do so for the first time in a Phillies uniform Monday against the Rays.

Blackmon (illness) stepped in for some at-bats Saturday at camp during Kyle Freeland's simulated game, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Blackmon wasn't cleared to make the trip with the Rockies to Mexico for weekend games against the Diamondbacks, but his ability to pick up some at-bats one day after coming down ill with a stomach bug suggests he's trending positively on the health front. Look for him to rejoin Colorado's Cactus League lineup early next week.

Blackmon fell ill Friday and didn't travel to Mexico with the Rockies for the team's two-game series with the Diamondbacks, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

The Rockies are still scheduled to play split-squad games in Arizona on Saturday (versus the Indians) and Sunday (versus the Dodgers), so Blackmon could conceivably play in either of those contests. It's more likely, however, that Blackmon receives the weekend off entirely to recover from the ailment. Expect him to return to action at some point during the upcoming week, which would keep him on track to enter the regular season without any limitations.

Harper will serve as the Phillies' designated hitter and will bat third Saturday against the Blue Jays in his Grapefruit League debut.

As anticipated, the Phillies have cleared out a prime spot in the order for their prized free-agent pickup, who slots in between Jean Segura and Rhys Hoskins. The complexion of the top half of the Philadelphia lineup could change when Cesar Hernandez (hip) is healthy again, but any combination of hitters in front of and behind Harper should be a boon to his RBI and runs count. If health prevails, Harper could be poised for a monster debut season in Philadelphia while playing in a home park that has historically been favorable for left-handed power.

Ozuna could play left field during Monday's spring game against the Nationals, Rob Rains of StLSportsPage.com reports.

Manager Mike Shildt previously indicated Ozuna wouldn't play the outfield in games until mid-March, so a return Monday would be fairly close to that suggestion. The 28-year-old was cleared for all baseball activities in mid-February, but the Cardinals have remained cautious as he returns from surgery on his right shoulder. Assuming he returns to outfield work with no setbacks, Ozuna should have no issue being ready for Opening Day.

Reyes went 2-for-3 with a two-run home run in Thursday's win over the Rangers.

Reyes cranked a two-run homer over the left-field wall to cap off a four-run fifth inning. The 23-year-old outfielder is now 7-for-23 with five RBI and two runs scored in spring training.

Belt went 2-for-3 in Wednesday's spring training loss to the Rangers.

Belt has now gone 4-for-13 with a home run in five spring appearances. The first baseman underwent a procedure on his right knee at the tail end of the 2018 season, so his early presence and production in camp are good indicators that he's 100 percent well ahead of Opening Day.

The Padres assigned Dickerson (elbow) to their minor-league camp Monday, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Dickerson hasn't appeared in a regular-season game at any level since 2016, with back surgery sidelining him in 2017 and Tommy John surgery keeping him out in 2018. The 28-year-old reported to spring training at full strength and went 1-for-4 while appearing in three Cactus League contests, but his dearth of action the past two seasons always made cracking the Padres' Opening Day roster an unlikely proposition. He'll need to stay healthy and perform effectively at Triple-A El Paso for an extended period before earning a look in San Diego at any point in 2019.

Harper will make his Grapefruit League debut for the Phillies on Saturday against Toronto, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Harper's protracted contract negotiations will wind up costing him a large chunk of spring training, but he'll still be able to return to game action nearly three weeks before Opening Day. It's possible that the loss of time will lead to a slow April for Harper, though different players need different amounts of time to get up to speed. Harper has historically started the season hot, with his .309/.436/.619 career line in March and April easily representing his best OPS (1.055) of any month over the course of his career.