MLB Player News

Manager Mike Shildt said Carpenter was scratched from Sunday's spring game due to back tightness, Rob Rains of StLSportsPage.com reports.

Shildt didn't seem too worried about the issue, and the expectation is that Carpenter will only miss a couple of days before hopefully returning to the lineup. That said, the 33-year-old's status will be worth monitoring over the next week with the start of the season drawing closer.

Carpenter was expected to be in the lineup for Sunday's spring game against the Marlins, but was not included for a yet-to-be-announced reason, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

It's not clear why Carpenter's name was omitted from Sunday's lineup, but the most likely reason would be some sort of injury.

Brantley went 3-for-3 with one run scored, three RBI and one walk in Saturday's exhibition game against the Phillies.

Brantley remains without an extra-base hit this spring, but he's otherwise been solid at the plate with a .345/.406/.345 slash line over 29 at-bats. The 31-year-old again batted cleanup for the Astros, which is a decent chance of where he'll slot into the lineup come Opening Day.

Harper (foot) could be back in the lineup Sunday against the Yankees, Matt Breen of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Harper didn't play Saturday after getting hit by a pitch in the foot the day before, but he did play catch and do agility work. He'll be evaluated Sunday morning and may not quite be ready to go, but the fact that a return is already possible bodes well for him being unaffected by Opening Day.

Manager Gabe Kapler said Harper is considered day to day after being hit by a pitch on the ankle Friday and added that there are "no concerns" about the outfielder's availability for Opening Day, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Harper gave fantasy players and Phillies fans a jolt when limped off the field in Friday's contest, but the initial reports were positive, and there was even better news Saturday morning, as Kapler noted the swelling in Harper's ankle reduced overnight. Harper could get a day or two to rest and recover from his injury, but with Kapler optimistic about his status for Opening Day, there's reason for fantasy managers to be as well.

Harper's initial X-rays on his foot were negative, though he'll have more imaging done Saturday, Jim Bowden of The Athletic reports.

The Phillies' believed Harper avoided serious injury after getting hit in the foot by a pitch Friday against the Blue Jays, and his firsts tests seem to have confirmed that. How much time he'll need to miss, if any, will likely be determined following Saturday's reevaluation.

Harper has nothing worse than a foot contusion after being hit by a pitch Friday against the Blue Jays, Meghan Montemurro of The Athletic reports.

Harper will have an X-ray to verify that he's avoided a fracture, but as of right now, the team believes there's no cause for major concern. The outfielder's spring preparation was already going to be brief, as he didn't sign his contract until midway through camp, but even with another few days off to rest his foot he'll still likely be good to go for Opening Day.

Harper limped off the field after getting hit in the ankle by a fastball in Friday's game against the Blue Jays, Meghan Montemurro of The Athletic reports.

The severity of the issue isn't yet clear, but Harper looked to be in significant pain. More clarity should come after he's examined by team trainers.

Martinez (back) is in the lineup for Friday's spring game against the Yankees, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Martinez did not play in Boston's last two official spring training games because of his sore back, but he was able to take some at-bats in a minor-league game Thursday, and will return to Grapefruit League action Friday. Martinez will hit third and is feeling good enough to avoid the DH spot and play right field.

Ohtani (elbow) made 55 throws from 50 feet Wednesday and estimated that he was tossing the baseball at about 30 percent intensity, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

At this point in his rehab from Tommy John surgery, Ohtani is hitting soft toss nearly every day and throwing off flat ground three times a week. It's expected that he'll gradually increase the intensity and distance of his long-toss sessions in the weeks to come, but there's no clear timeline for him to resume mound work. He could advance to facing live pitching before camp ends in late March, but the Angels have already dismissed the possibility of Othani being ready to handle designated-hitter duties for the big club at any point in April.