MLB Player News

Rockies outfielder Charlie Blackmon is struggling at the plate this spring, going just 1 for 8 so far. Even though he missed Wednesday's game with an abdominal injury, Blackmon wants to show more discipline at the plate and wait on pitches, reports MLB.com.

"I'm trying to see a lot of pitches," Blackmon said. "The other day, I took a 2-0 pitch on purpose [Friday while facing White Sox pitcher Jose Quintana, against whom he singled earlier in the game]. I want to be comfortable hitting later in the count, deeper in the count, with more strikes. In the season, if I get a 2-0 pitch over the plate, I'm going to try to hit it real hard. I'm not going to be trying to extend the at-bat."

Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen won't be in the lineup Saturday and Sunday due to lower body soreness. McCutchen was scratched Friday with the same ailment , and told reporters that he would be available to play had it been a regular season game, per the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

Pirates All-Star center fielder Andrew McCutchen was scratched from Friday's spring lineup against the Orioles due to lower body soreness.

McCutchen, who has made the All-Star team four straight seasons, is off to a slow start this spring. He is batting .167 (2 for 12) with one double, one RBI, one walk and one run in five spring games.

Marlins center fielder Marcell Ozuna is off to a 1-for-12 start this spring, but manager Mike Redmond isn't worried. "It's too early to get concerned about 10, 12 at-bats," Redmond told the South Florida Sun Sentinel.

Ozuna also struggled mightily last year in spring training, per the paper, but ended up batting .269 with 23 homers and 85 RBI in his first full season in the majors.

Rockies outfielder Charlie Blackmon, who has been slowed by an abdominal injury, will make his spring debut Wednesday against the Mariners, per The Denver Post.

Blackmon indicated that the abdominal strain only hurt when he swung a bat, but that most of the pain is now gone.

Max Scherzer allowed six hits in three innings but the new Nationals' starter gave up just one run in Tuesday's start. 

Scherzer struck out three Marlins, including slugger Giancarlo Stanton. He also got Stanton to ground into a double play. 

Scherzer threw 47 pitches in the outing. He declared himself pleased with the performance and happy that he had the chance to pitch out of the stretch. 

Rockies right fielder Charlie Blackmon is still expecting to make his Cactus League debut this week. 

"I'm going to try to get all facets of my game sharp in spring training," Blackmon said, per MLB.com. "I expect to run a little bit — open up the playbook a little."

Blackmon has been dealing with abdominal injury that has kept him from playing thus far. 

A year ago, Blackmon hit .288 with 19 home runs and 72 RBI.

Rockies manager Walt Weiss said that Charlie Blackmon will be able to maek his spring debut within a couple days. 

The outfielder has been sidelined with abdominal tightness. 

Blackmon hit .288 with 19 home runs and 72 RBI last year. 

Rockies outfielder Charlie Blackmon is hoping for more consistency in 2015, according to the Denver Post. 

Blackmon had a breakout season in 2014, but admits it's hard to be on every single game. "Last year, I swung the bat really well at certain times," he said. "But you go through a lot of ups and downs over 162 games, and that was a learning experience. I think that's going to help me this year."

Blackmon said his strong start made him a target for other teams, and that may have contributed to a slight slump during the season. Blackmon added that he's hoping to hit the ball to all fields this season.

Manager Walt Weiss is hoping Blackmon can deliver more of the same. "I don't know if he necessarily has to have an encore. I'm thinking more of the same," Weiss said. "I think Charlie would say that he wants to be more consistent."

The 28-year-old Blackmon hit .288/.335/.440 over 593 at-bats last year. 

Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton hit third and started in right field for his spring debut Thursday against the Cardinals.

Stanton, who hasn't played in a game since getting hit in the face by a pitch in September, hit off coaches and participated in a few live batting practices before getting into a spring game Thursday.

“It’s been great to see him, he looks good, I know he’s in great shape and know it’s the start of the process to prepare yourself for the season,” manager Mike Redmond said, per The Palm Beach Post. “He’s on the same plan as everybody else.”