MLB Player News

Ozuna went 3-for-5 with a double and a pair of RBI in Sunday's 5-1 win over the Mets.

After going hitless with five strikeouts in his first nine at-bats with the Cardinals, Ozuna broke through in the third inning Sunday, roping a double to deep left to score Tommy Pham. He would go on to collect two more base hits in his final three at-bats of the afternoon, giving him some confidence heading into the Cardinals' three-game series in Milwaukee that begins Monday. Since he hasn't struck out in more than 23 percent of his plate appearances the past three campaigns, Ozuna should be less prone to the extended slumps that often befall most power hitters over the course of a long season.

Harper hit two solo home runs, his first of the season, in a 2-for-4 game Sunday against the Reds.

Harper was productive in his first two games, going 2-for-6 with a walk, a run scored and two RBI, but Sunday marked his first explosive performance of 2018. Harper still has yet to prove he can consistently replicate the massive power numbers of his age-22 season of 2015, when he clubbed 42 home runs with a .649 slugging percentage. Sunday's effort serves as a good start in that direction.

Winker is out of the lineup Sunday against the Nationals.

Winker started the first two games of the year for Cincinnati, one in left and another in right field. He'll take a seat for the series finale, however, giving way to an outfield composed of Adam Duvall (left), Billy Hamilton (center) and Scott Schebler (right).

Turner is heading to extended spring training to continue rehabbing his broken wrist and resume baseball activities, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

Several important tests will follow, but this report seems to indicate Turner is on schedule. The important run producer is expected to resurface with the major-league club sometime in May.

Blackmon went 2-for-4 in Saturday's 2-1 win over the Diamondbacks, accounting for all of the Rockies' offense with two solo home runs.

Someone forgot to tell Blackmon that the new humidor at Chase Field was supposed to suppress homers, as the 31-year-old left the yard three times in three games there to kick off his 2018 season. He could find it a little more difficult to continue his barrage when the Rockies begin a four-game set in Petco Park against the Padres on Monday.

Cespedes went 1-for-2 with a solo homer, three walks, and two runs scored Saturday against the Cardinals.

The Cardinals had a very tough time getting Cespedes out Saturday as he reached base four times, including a fifth-inning solo shot which helped chase starter Michael Wacha from the game. Cespedes now has a 1.457 OPS with two runs scored and four RBI through two games. It's a reminder of the kind of numbers he can put up when healthy.

Carpenter went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Saturday's loss to the Mets.

The homer was an eighth-inning solo shot off Anthony Swarzak. Carpenter battled back issues for much of the spring but appears healthy to start the season. He's recorded a hit in both of the Cardinals' first two games.

Blackmon went 1-for-5 with a three-run homer in Colorado's 9-8 loss to the Diamondbacks on Friday.

It was Blackmon's first hit of the season and he made it count, touching up Robbie Ray with a three-run blast in the fourth inning. Blackmon has established himself as one of the best hitters in baseball in one of the league's most potent lineups the past two seasons, so fantasy owners should continue to use the star outfielder with no reservations.

Harper went 2-for-3 with a walk in Friday's 2-0 win over the Reds.

Incredibly, this was only the second out of Harper's six career Opening Days in which he didn't hit a home run, but Cincinnati's pitchers still couldn't keep him off the bases, even if they did keep him in the park. In his final season before free agency, expect the 25-year-old to put up some very impressive numbers if he can avoid the injuries that have checkered his career to date.

Choi was optioned to Triple-A Colorado Springs on Friday.

Just a day removed from scoring the Brewers' go-ahead run in the top of the 12th inning on Opening Day, the 26-year-old will report to Colorado Springs as Dan Jennings takes his place on the 25-man roster. Choi will likely spend most of the season at the Triple-A level.