MLB Player News

Soler will DH and bat seventh against the Angels on Monday.

Despite Soler's strong throwing arm, it appears that Kyle Schwarber has proven to be the better overall fielder and earned the start in left field. It's likely that Soler and Schwarber operate in some type of left-field platoon throughout the course of the season.

Manager Pete Mackanin confirmed Friday that Ruf will open the year in a platoon with Ryan Howard at first base, Corey Seidman of CSN Philadelphia reports.

Ruf will start the second game of the season Wednesday against lefty Brandon Finnegan of the Reds. Ruf hit .371/.447/.660 with 12 extra-base hits in 114 plate appearances against lefties last season. He is a nice cost saving play in daily leagues when the Phillies are facing a lefty.

Pederson will get the day off Thursday but manager Dave Roberts announced that he'll be back in the lineup Friday and Saturday, Eric Stephen of SB Nation reports.

Pederson will get a rare chance to rest Thursday before the season officially kicks off Monday in San Diego. Enrique Hernandez will take Pederson's usual spot in center for Thursday's matchup with the Angels.

Soler went 2-for-4 with two RBI in a victory over Colorado on Wednesday.

Soler has struggled a bit this spring, slashing just .163/.226/.367, but he's driven in eight runs in 49 at-bats, so it hasn't been a complete negative. He should play a lot this season, but with the Cubs stacked in the outfield, getting 400 at-bats isn't a certainty.

Cespedes went 2-for-2 with a double in Wednesday's 12-1 loss to the Nationals.

Cespedes is batting .349 (15-for-43) with six RBI this spring. The 30-year-old outfielder is in line to play a central role in the Mets' attempt to make a World Series return. He's coming off his first 100-run, 100-RBI season and measures to be a must-start in all fantasy formats to start the 2016 season.

Cespedes (shoulder) will play center field against righty pitchers and shift to left field against lefties, the NY Post reports.

Against righties, Michael Confoto will play left field. When a lefty starts, Cespedes will shift to left, Juan Lagares will play center and either Conforto or Curtis Granderson will be in right field with the other on the bench. Originally, manager Terry Collins had considered leaving Cespedes in center and Lagares in left, but decided to play Cespedes and Lagares in their natural positions.

Turner left Tuesday's game early as a precaution after being spiked, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

The calf that was struck is reportedly fine, so the fact that he left the game afterward is of little concern. Turner should be fine to resume his usual duties as the starting third baseman in the coming days.

Cespedes (shoulder) is back in the lineup for Sunday's Grapefruit League against the Nationals, Adam Rubin of ESPN.com reports.

Manager Terry Collins previously said that Cespedes was dealing with "a little twinge" in his right shoulder that prevented him from playing the last two days, but the injury was never viewed as anything serious. He should get at least a couple at-bats in Sunday and is slated to enter the regular season at full health.

Cespedes (hip), who sat out Friday's and Saturday's games due to a twinge in his right shoulder, is expected to play Sunday, SNY.TV reports.

Cespedes felt the twinge in his shoulder making a throw Thursday. Tests revealed no damage, enabling him to return to the lineup Sunday.

McCutchen (quad) will bat second and play center field Saturday against Tampa Bay, Bill Brink of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

The outfielder missed Friday's game and the two-hour bus ride to Fort Myers, but will play against the Rays on Saturday. Manager Clint Hurdle continues to bat McCutchen second in the lineup, an indication that the team's best hitter will likely hit in the spot to start the regular season.