MLB Player News

The Cubs "seem optimistic" that Jimenez's shoulder injury won't require more than a rest period and re-strengthening program to resolve, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.

Jimenez, the Cubs' top prospect, aggravated an already sore shoulder on an errant throw from left field Tuesday. While it seems the Cubs are not overly concerned, they did send Jimenez for both an MRI and a CT scan to get a proper read on the issue. It sounds like the team will await more clarity on the matter before commenting publicly on Jimenez's status.

Jimenez recently underwent tests on his sore right shoulder, Patrick Mooney of CSN Chicago reports.

The results of those tests have not been disclosed and thus the extent of the issue remains uncertain. Apparently, Jimenez made an awkward throw from the outfield earlier this week in Mesa, which led to some discomfort. The Cubs formally reassigned their top prospect to minor league camp Friday.

Ozuna went 2-for-3 with a walk and a three-run homer, his third blast of the spring, in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Nationals.

Ozuna is hitting .294 with a .618 slugging percentage in 34 spring at-bats, although his 1:8 BB:K suggests he's still got some work to do to get ready for Opening Day. The 26-year-old posted career bests in walk rate (7.1 percent) and strikeout rate (18.9 percent) last year, however, and further development of his plate discipline could allow him to take his game to the next level in 2017.

Jimenez was reassigned to minor league camp Friday, Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

The Cubs' top prospect impressed this spring, slashing .321/.355/.607 in 16 games at just 20 years old. Jimenez is still likely a few years away from the majors, but the organization believes he is advanced for his age.

Harper went 1-for-3 with his sixth home run of the spring, a solo shot, in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Mets.

Zack Wheeler was the victim this time out, as Harper re-established his lead in the spring home run race. He now has an absurd .966 SLG through 29 at-bats, and Harper would seem to be more than ready for Opening Day to arrive.

Carpenter (back) isn't in the Cardinals' lineup Thursday but is expected to return Friday, Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports.

We'll confirm whether he's on Friday's card, but it's a positive sign that St. Louis plans on putting him in, considering Carpenter has maintained his readiness for at least a week. As long as Carpenter shows somewhat normal abilities at the dish, fantasy players should feel comfortable drafting the multi-positional gem at his market price, which comes in at an Average Draft Position of 71.70 in NFBC leagues (15-team mixed).

Dickerson was diagnosed with a disc protrusion in his back, Dennis Lin of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports. The outfielder won't require surgery, but he will miss 3-4 weeks.

Dickerson therefore loses a chance to break camp as at least a partial starting outfielder. His promising power makes him a stash candidate in NL-only fantasy leagues, though with an injury like this, the 26-year-old could need more rest than this initial prognosis. This also gives Travis Jankowski and Jabari Blash an opportunity to swipe at least semi-regular left field roles out of the gate, perhaps in a platoon with the former occupying the top side. They have potential for even more should Manuel Margot's knee problem linger. Jankowski has potential for 30-plus stolen bases in a near full season, and though he's raw, Blash already has clubbed five home runs and driven in 13 runs with a .308/.441/.885 spring training line through 13 games. Both fly-catchers could be intriguing early-season gambles in deep mixed fantasy leagues, depending on what their speculators need.

Dickerson (back) will head to San Diego to see a spine specialist, Dennis Lin of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

It's the latest rehabilitation effort for Dickerson, who has yet to play in a game this spring while dealing with persistent tightness. The left-hander is looking to build off a breakout rookie season in which he showed potential to develop into a power hitter going forward. Nonetheless, it appears his spring regimen will be delayed a bit longer as he works his way back. Jabari Blash will continue getting opportunities in Dickerson's absence.

Blackmon is 11-for-23 (.478) with three doubles, a home run and a stolen base in nine spring games.

In a spring training dominated by the plethora of injuries striking Rockies camp, the 30-year-old is simply raking. It's foolish to look into spring numbers too much, but one can't help but be pleased by a player showing mid-season form this early on in the campaign. Blackmon will look to carry this torrid start into the regular season as the Rockies primary center fielder and leadoff hitter.

Ozuna went 2-for-3 with two doubles, a run scored and an RBI in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Mets.

The two-baggers came against Noah Syndergaard and Robert Gsellman, so Ozuna gets extra credit for the level of competition he was facing. The Marlins left fielder is now hitting .286 with a .571 SLG through 28 spring at-bats, and is rounding into form nicely with Opening Day still a couple of weeks away.