MLB Player News

Harper went 1-for-3 with a walk and a solo home run in Monday's Opening Day win over the Marlins.

Harper now has five homers in his first five Opening Day contests, which gives him the most Opening Day blasts in MLB history for a player by the age of 24. Following a 2015 campaign in which he tallied 42 home runs, fantasy owners couldn't help but feel a tad disappointed with Harper's 24 bombs last season. However, after dropping the hammer eight times over 58 at-bats this spring, then demonstrating his muscle in Monday's opener, Harper appears intent on returning to the game's elite tier of power hitters.

Dickerson (back) was placed on the 10-day disabled list Saturday.

The Padres made a number of roster moves to boil the roster down to 25 men Saturday and one of those transactions was officially placing Dickerson on the DL. The left fielder is recovering from a protruding disc in his back that was diagnosed in mid-March and carries a 3-4 week recovery time. Once Dickerson resumes baseball activities, there should be a clearer picture as to when he'll be able to return.

Torrens will be retained on the 25-man roster, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Torrens -- a Rule 5 draft pick -- likely made the cut just so that the club could retain his rights. The 21-year-old's current value resides in his defensive abilities, but he will find it hard to see very many at-bats as the third catcher on the depth chart. The club obviously believes in his long-term potential, but fantasy owners can ignore the young catcher this season.

Blackmon (illness) is back in the lineup for Thursday's Cactus League finale, batting leadoff and patrolling center field.

Blackmon was one of several Rockies who caught the flu recently, but it seems like the illness has subsided. The 30-year-old outfielder has been tearing up the Cactus League (.362 batting average, three home runs), and he'll look to carry that success into Colorado's Opening Day matchup with the Brewers.

Blackmon, who's been out for two days, is dealing with the flu, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Blackmon has been phenomenal throughout the spring. Over 16 games, he's gone 17-for-47 (.362) with three home runs and four doubles. Owners will want to monitor Blackmon's status as Opening Day approaches, as Colorado has yet to present a timeframe for his return.

Dickerson (back) will start the season on the disabled list, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

It was recently announced that Dickerson would miss 3-4 weeks of action, so his upcoming move to the DL doesn't come as a major surprise. Although Dickerson wasn't expected to be an everyday outfielder for the Padres this coming season, his absence will open the door for Travis Jankowski and Jabari Blash to see an increase in usage.

Manager Bruce Bochy has signaled in his Cactus League lineups that he plans to use Belt as his No. 2 hitter to begin the season, Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News reports.

While Belt has yet to emerge as the consistent 20-plus-homer threat the Giants probably envisioned early on during his time in the big leagues, he's been an on-base machine throughout his six seasons with the team. After posting a career-best .394 mark in 2016, Belt's presence in the two hole in front of Hunter Pence, Buster Posey and Brandon Crawford would seemingly help his chances of establishing a new career high in runs, though he could sacrifice some RBI opportunities as a result. Manager Bruce Bochy isn't necessarily married to the idea of using Belt as his No. 2 hitter, so if the team struggles to generate offense early in the season, it's possible that Belt could move into the heart of the order.

Harper went 2-for-4 with two home runs and three RBI in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Mets.

He leads all spring training hitters with eight homers, and Harper is slashing a mammoth .308/.403/.827 in 62 at-bats. It looks like the 24-year-old is gearing up to return to his 2015 MVP form.

McCutchen went 1-for-3 with a two-run homer Monday against the Twins.

He's hitting .263 in 19 Grapefruit League at-bats with one homer and one stolen base. His move to right field from center has gone seamlessly. McCutchen, who is batting third after struggling in the second spot for much of 2016, will look to get off to a good start. He's hit just .212 in 165 April at-bats in 2015 and 2016.

Winker was optioned to Triple-A Louisville, the Dayton Daily News reports.

Scott Schebler looks set to start in right field as a result. However, Winker may not be in the minors long as one of Cincy's top prospects.