MLB Player News

Cespedes (hip) will return to the lineup as a designated hitter for Thursday's spring game, Adam Rubin of ESPN reports.

Cespedes only missed one day of Grapefruit League action after being removed from Tuesday's game due to stiffness in his hip. He should return to the outfield within the next few days.

Winker (hip) resumed baseball activity Wednesday, Zach Buchanan of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

After suffering a strained hip flexor on Friday, Winker was able to participate in some baseball activities Wednesday. However, Buchanan stopped short of saying that Winker was a full go Wednesday, so the highly-touted prospect may need a few more days before he's back to 100 percent.

Cespedes skipped Tuesday's spring training game with hip stiffness, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Manager Terry Collins was quick to downplay the situation, indicating the injury was nothing concerning. It sounds as though Cespedes will be able to return to to game action without missing much time, but it could be a situation worth monitoring if the stiffness persists.

Turner (knee) went 1-for-1 with a double, a walk, two runs and a RBI in Monday's game against the Brewers.

He said after Monday's game that as long as he feels good Tuesday, the plan is to play in games Wednesday and Friday of this week. His spring debut couldn't have gone any better, and it sounds like he is on track to be ready for Opening Day. We will update his status if there is a change in his availability later this week.

Vogelbach was optioned to Triple-A Iowa on Monday, the Chicago Sun-Times' Gordon Wittenmyer reports.

While he is on the 40-man roster, Vogelbach was never going to make the big league roster out of camp, as he profiles as a designated hitter and therefore would simply be a pinch hitter in the majors on a National League roster. Vogelbach slashed .214/.353/.500 with a home run and a double in 14 spring at-bats. He is pretty obvious trade bait, considering he belongs in the American League, but if he is still on the roster when the Cubs have a prolonged interleague stretch in late July and early August, Vogelbach could be called up to make his big league debut as the team's DH.

The Pirates reassigned Ramirez to Double-A Altoona on Monday, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.

The outfielder, who went 11-for-19 in Grapefruit League action, has never played above the High-A level. He's already left the Pirates' campus to help his home country of Columbia qualify for the World Baseball Classic. Ramirez likely boosted his stock as much as any position player this spring, though the organization already features one of the best outfield trios in the major leagues.

Turner (knee) will make his Cactus League debut at third base Monday, Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register reports.

It's encouraging that Turner is making his debut in the field, as a full performance Monday would signal he's ready for Opening Day. It has been a long road to recovery for Turner, who received the surgery last fall, but he should be good to go, barring any setbacks.

Stanton (knee) is serving as the Marlins' DH for their Grapefruit League game Sunday against the Mets, Craig Davis of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

The Marlins had shelved Stanton due to a sore knee over the past few days, but after upping his activity of late, it looks like he's back at close to full strength. He'll be eased back into action by only hitting in Sunday's game, but look for him to return to his usual duties in the outfield before long.

McCutchen stroked his first dinger of spring training Friday, giving him two hits in 13 Grapefruit League at-bats.

The homer is a positive sign, considering he's a slow starter and didn't go deep in 32 spring training at-bats last year. Pittsburgh has lost two of its lefthanded power threats in Pedro Alvarez and the switch-hitting Neil Walker, making it possible McCutchen will see less pitches to hit. John Jaso and Gregory Polanco are the only two lefties projected to start as positional players for Pittsburgh.

Manager Dave Roberts suggested Friday that Trayce Thompson is not currently a threat to Pederson's role as the primary center fielder, Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register reports.

Thompson's heavy spring usage has led to speculation that he could be in the running for regular time in center, but it remains Pederson's job for now. However, if Pederson struggles as badly as he did down the stretch last year, Thompson and/or Enrique Hernandez could force a platoon or perhaps eventually an outright swap at the position.