MLB Player News

Cespedes was held out of Friday's lineup due to the flu, Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News reports.

He was able to play through the illness Thursday and homered twice in the extra-inning win, but Cespedes needed a break after that huge effort. Consider him day-to-day, but it seems likely that he'll be able to suit up Saturday.

Winker could be optioned back to Triple-A Louisville on Sunday, the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

The Reds are saying that Winker was just brought up to fill out the bench for a couple days -- Winker is out of the lineup Friday against the Brewers after being called up. A roster spot will be needed for Sal Romano, Sunday's starter against Milwaukee, and it's possible Winker loses his spot as manager Bryan Price has been adamant that his starting outfield is set with Adam Duvall, Billy Hamilton and Scott Schebler. It seems inevitable that Winker will replace Schebler in the regular lineup eventually, but it may not happen right away.

Stanton is not in the Marlins' lineup Friday, Joe Frisaro of MLB.com reports.

This looks to be a simple day off for the slugger, allowing for Ichiro Suzuki to get the start in right field. Stanton is off to a solid start on the season, slashing .270/.349/.459 with two home runs through nine games.

Cespedes is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Marlins, Matt Ehalt of The Record reports.

Despite being on an absolute tear, Cespedes will get his first rest day of the season Friday. He's homered five times this week and has added a pair of doubles as well. Michael Conforto, who is swinging a hot bat in his own right, will take over in left and bat fifth in place of Cespedes against Edinson Volquez. Look for Cespedes to draw back into the lineup Saturday.

Turner (quad) returned to the starting lineup Thursday, going 1-for-2 with a pair of walks in a 4-0 loss to the Cubs.

The 32-year-old looked healthy in his return to the diamond, getting on base three times on a day where the Dodgers were shut out by Brett Anderson and the Cubs bullpen. Thanks to an off day Tuesday, the third baseman ended up missing just one contest with a minor quadriceps injury. With a .355/.429/.516 slash line through nine games, Turner should continue to be a driving force behind the Dodgers' offense this season.

Winker is not in Friday's lineup against the Brewers.

He is presumably available off the bench after being promoted from Triple-A earlier in the day. Winker has one of the best hit tools among prospects, and has the best approach among players who have yet to play in the majors, as he boasts a 63:65 K:BB in 486 plate appearances at Triple-A. He is the presumed everyday right fielder going forward, but will apparently be eased into action. Winker is not a "must-add" caliber of prospect in shallower leagues, but he should be scooped up in deeper leagues, as he has a high floor and could tap into some sneaky power playing half his games in Great American Ball Park.

Winker was recalled by the Reds on Friday and could be set to make his major-league debut this weekend against the Brewers.

Winker has picked up right where he left off at Triple-A Louisville this season, hitting .323 with five RBI after slashing .303/.397/.384 in the 2016 campaign. The 23-year-old is considered one of the Reds' most valuable prospects, known for his low strikeout rate, high OBP and ability to find the gaps. His power-hitting capacity leaves much to be desired, but Winker was bothered by a wrist injury last season and was not in a favorable hitting environment at Triple-A, so the move to Great American Ball Park could lead to more power than some might expect. Winker should serve as the Reds' primary right fielder going forward.

Ozuna went 2-for-6 with two walks and a grand slam in Thursday's extra-inning loss to the Mets.

He cleared the bases in his first at-bat by pulverizing a Robert Gsellman fastball, sending it over the left-field wall with a 110 mph exit velocity, and the Mets mostly refused to pitch to the 26-year-old for the next 15 innings. Ozuna is off to a blistering start to 2017, slashing .389/.452/.722 through nine games with four homers and an MLB-leading 16 RBI.

Cespedes went 2-for-6 with two walks and a pair of solo home runs in Thursday's extra-inning win over the Marlins.

That's now five homers in three games for Cespedes, with two doubles and nine RBI thrown in for good measure. Big things were expected from him this year after he signed a four-year, $110 million contract in the offseason to remain with the Mets, and with a .275/.375/.800 line through 10 games Cespedes is delivering.

McCutchen went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run during Thursday's 4-3 loss to Boston.

McCutchen is off to a mediocre start with just three runs, the home run, three RBI and a .250/.308/.361 slash line, and it's mildly concerning after he posted the worst campaign of his career in 2016. Still, McCutchen is locked into the heart of the order and deserves the benefit of the doubt considering his elite fantasy track record. It just might be unrealistic to expect him to fully rebound to his MVP level of production, especially since the 30-year-old outfielder is probably nearing the end of his offensive prime.