MLB Player News

Carpenter is back in the starting lineup Wednesday against the Nationals, batting third and playing first base, Jim Hayes of Fox Sports Midwest reports.

Carpenter missed Tuesday's game after experiencing back tightness, but it appears he's good to go after a day of rest. The lefty is off to a tough start this year with a .208 average through eight games, and it may not get much easier with Max Scherzer toeing the rubber for Washington on Wednesday.

Harper went 1-for-2 with three walks, a double and two runs scored in Tuesday's win over the Cardinals.

It's easy to understand the Cards' reluctance to give him a chance to hurt them, as Harper has started off 2017 by slashing .393/.541/.679 through eight games to go along with two homers, eight RBI and nine runs scored. With Daniel Murphy and Ryan Zimmerman just as hot behind him in the Nats batting order, though, teams may find they have little choice but to give the 2015 NL MVP some hittable pitches.

Ozuna went 2-for-2 with two home runs, six RBI and a walk during Tuesday's 8-4 win over the Braves.

Ozuna plated a run with a sacrifice fly in the first inning before launching a three-run homer to right in the third and a two-run job to left in the fifth. The 26-year-old entered the game batting a robust .375 and upped that to .423 to go along with a Major League-leading 12 RBI after this monster performance.

Cespedes went 4-for-6 with three homers and five RBI in Tuesday's 14-4 drubbing of the Phillies.

After hitting just .154 through the season's first seven games, Cespedes apparently woke up a new man Tuesday. He absolutely went off on the Phillies, homering in his first three at-bats on a day that ultimately saw the Mets go yard seven times. Another season of 30-plus homers with solid average and strong counting stats appears to be in the works.

Carpenter, who is out of the lineup Tuesday, experienced back tightness Monday night, Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports.

Apparently, the back issue is not the sole cause of Carpenter's absence Tuesday. Manager Mike Matheny said Carpenter's 2-for-16 career record against lefty Gio Gonzalez, Tuesday's starter for the Nationals, factored into the decision to hold Carpenter out. The 31-year-old also dealt with back trouble throughout the spring, but he should be considered merely day-to-day for now.

Carpenter is not in the lineup Tuesday against the Nationals.

Carpenter has gotten off to a sluggish start at the plate (5-for-24 with one RBI), so he'll head to the bench for what looks like a day of rest with lefty Gio Gonzalez hurling for Washington. Jose Martinez will man first base in his stead.

Turner left Monday's game against the Cubs with a quad injury, ESPN.com's Doug Padilla reports.

Turner was hit by a pitch in the top of the eighth inning, and while he initially stayed in the game to run the bases, he was then removed before the bottom half of the frame. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts doesn't believe the injury is serious, and he said Turner will be re-evaluated Tuesday. Any missed time would open up at-bats for Chase Utley and/or Enrique Hernandez.

Harper went 4-for-4 with two walks, two runs scored and three RBI in Monday's 14-6 shellacking of the Cardinals.

All four hits were singles, but that's about the only complaint anyone with Harper shares could have with his performance. The 24-year-old superstar is now slashing a mammoth .385/.500/.654 through the first seven games of the season with two homers, eight RBI and seven runs scored.

Pederson is in the lineup for Monday's game against the Cubs, David Vassegh of AM 570 Los Angeles Sports reports.

Pederson will start in center field and hit eighth with the left-handed Jon Lester set to take the mound for the Cubs. The outfielder's batting has been subpar against lefties in his career, including a bleak .125/.250/.219 line in 2016.

Torrens is in the lineup for Monday's outing against Colorado, Jenny Cavnar of Root Sports reports.

Heading into the season, the highest level that Torrens had played at was Low-A. However, with Austin Hedges struggling to deliver at the plate, Torrens will get the nod to start his first game in the majors Monday night.