MLB Player News

Manager Mike Matheny said Carpenter (shoulder) will likely bat third in 2018, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

With Dexter Fowler expected to return to the top of the order as the team's leadoff hitter, Carpenter will likely open the season as the Cardinals' No. 3 hitter for the second straight year. While he batted third for the first 45 games in 2017, he slashed just .221/.353/.429 in 201 plate appearances during that stretch and was eventually moved to back the leadoff spot due to his -- and Fowler's -- struggles. Carpenter will now get another shot to prove he belongs in the heart of the team's lineup, though either way, he should hold value wherever he hits. The 32-year-old was shut down near the end of last season due to shoulder inflammation, but the issue didn't require surgery and he's expected to be fully healthy entering spring training.

The Padres are "cautiously optimistic" that Dickerson (back) is fully recovered from surgery he underwent in June, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

The 27-year-old hasn't been seen at Padres camp yet, but the club seems to be happy with his recovery process thus far. If he's back to his old self, Dickerson should compete with Franchy Cordero, Matt Szczur and Travis Jankowski for the fourth outfielder role during spring training. Dickerson had a solid 2016 campaign, but his lost 2017 season and relative lack of speed and versatility all make it seem like he's on the outside looking in for a roster spot at this point. Things should become clearer as spring training rolls along, though.

Torrens will likely spend most if not all of 2018 in the minors, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

The 22-year-old spent all of last season on the active roster, but it was more out of necessity rather than a reflection of his performance. He hadn't played an inning above Low-A prior to 2017, but he had to stay in the majors all season if the Padres wanted to keep him due to his status as a Rule 5 selection. Perhaps Torrens would be in the mix for an Opening Day roster spot if he had hit better, but his .163 batting average left much to be desired. He'll head back to the low minors for more seasoning, likely looking toward 2019 or 2020 for a return trip to San Diego.

Manager Bud Black said Wednesday that the Rockies are contemplating moving Blackmon down in the order to take advantage of his power, Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post reports.

The Rockies will experiment with batting Blackmon lower in the lineup during Cactus League action, and Black suggested there's a real chance Blackmon could be in the heart of the order on Opening Day. Raimel Tapia, Ian Desmond and David Dahl were all mentioned as possible replacements for Blackmon in the leadoff spot. If this change sticks, it would likely result in Blackmon seeing fewer stolen-base opportunities while shifting his counting production more toward RBI than runs.

Reyes had offseason wrist surgery, Kyle Glaser of Baseball America reports. He received an invitation to major-league spring training.

According to Glaser, Reyes was going to be added to the 40-man roster this offseason until it was revealed that he would undergo surgery on his wrist. The 22-year-old, 6-foot-5 slugger hit .258/.322/.464 with 25 home runs in 135 games at Double-A and figures to open the 2018 season with Triple-A El Paso. His spring training invite suggests that he will be game ready in a few weeks.

McCutchen, who was acquired by the Giants on Monday via trade, was told he'll play a corner outfield spot for his new club in 2018, Buster Olney of ESPN reports.

While McCutchen has primarily played center field throughout his professional career, the 31-year-old isn't completely unfamiliar with the corner outfield; he spent the first 13 games of the 2017 campaign in right field before a suspension to Starling Marte allowed him to shift back to center. It sounds like McCutchen will play right field with Hunter Pence lining up opposite him. With McCutchen and Pence situated in the corners, the Giants could look to bring in a center fielder from outside the organization or turn to prospect Steven Duggar.

McCutchen was traded to the Giants on Monday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

The deal is reportedly all but done, pending an exchange of medical information, and according to Andrew Baggarly of The San Jose Mercury News, the Pirates will receive Kyle Crick and Bryan Reynolds in return. McCutchen bounced back last season after his lackluster 2016 campaign, hitting .279/.363/.486 with 28 homers and 11 stolen bases across 156 games. While the 31-year-old likely won't return to his MVP form, he proved he still has something left in the tank and figures to play an important role for the Giants this season.

The Brewers and Choi agreed to a minor-league contract Sunday that includes an invitation to spring training, Sung Min Kim of Sporting News reports. The deal is worth $850,000 at the major-league level.

Choi had a brief run with the Yankees last season as part of a platoon at first base, appearing in six games and swatting two home runs before being outrighted off the 40-man roster. With Eric Thames and Jesus Aguilar performing effectively for the Brewers last season as part of the timeshare at first base, it will probably take an injury or two before Choi gets a look in Milwaukee in 2018. He's likely to see the bulk of his at-bats with the Brewers' Triple-A affiliate in Colorado Springs.

Pederson agreed to a one-year contract with the Dodgers on Friday, avoiding arbitration.

Last season was a trying one for Pederson, as he missed time due to injury and struggled at the plate, even earning a demotion to Triple-A for a while in the second half. He finished on a high note with two homers in the World Series, but Pederson will likely be platooned heavily again to begin 2018, and he could lose out on playing time against righties to Alex Verdugo if he gets off to a slow start.

Ozuna agreed to a one-year, $9 million contract with the Cardinals on Friday, avoiding arbitration, Jon Heyman of FanRagSports.com reports.

Ozuna will receive a huge raise from the $3.5 million he made last season in his first year of arbitration eligibility. Ozuna, acquired from the Marlins in a December trade, will step into the heart of the order for St. Louis this season after slashing .312/.376/.548 with 37 homers and 124 RBI in 2017.