MLB Player News

Cespedes went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts in Monday's 4-2 win over the Marlins, and manager Mickey Callaway acknowledged after the game that the outfielder has been playing through flu-like symptoms, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports. "He feels good enough to play," Callaway said. "He wasn't hesitating ... so he's going to go out there and play."

Cespedes has still been contributing despite being less than 100 percent -- he drove in the winning run in the 12th inning Sunday with a single, and threw out Braxton Lee at second base Monday when the speedy Marlin tried to stretch a single into a double. However, he's now 1-for-15 over the last three games with eight strikeouts, and in fact he's struck out multiple times in five straight contests. DFS players will want to consider shying away from Cespedes until he shows he's shaken off this bug.

Manager Kevin Cash is optimistic that Miller (groin) won't remain on the disabled list longer than the minimum 10 days, Bill Chastain of MLB.com reports. "I do think it's different than the injury he sustained in spring training," Cash said. "It's more of your traditional groin strain. But we're not going to risk him to where he can tear something."

Miller strained his groin during a Sunday loss to the Red Sox, and the initial prognosis was a bit murky in terms of a recovery timetable. Cash's comments certainly provide reason for optimism, and the coming days will naturally offer a more definitive sense of whether a return to action for Miller after a 10-day timeframe remains realistic.

Blackmon (back) will return to the lineup Monday against the Padres, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Blackmon was removed from Saturday's contest due to a sore back, but he'll ultimately miss just one game as a result of the injury. He's tabbed to bat leadoff and play center field as usual in his return to action.

Winker is absent from the lineup Monday due to an illness, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic Cincinnati reports.

It seemed strange that Winker would sit out given that a right-hander is throwing for Philadelphia and that Scott Schebler (elbow) is on the disabled list, but it appears that the sickness is to blame. The outfield prospect will likely need just a day or two to rest up before returning to the lineup, so consider him day-to-day for now. Phillip Ervin will move into the starting nine to replace him.

Vogelbach is starting at first base and batting sixth Monday against the Royals, Shannon Drayer of 710 ESPN Seattle reports.

With Ryon Healy (ankle) heading to the disabled list Monday, Vogelbach should see the bulk of opportunities at first base until Healy is healthy. The 25-year-old prospect has appeared in five games so far this season, going 4-for-15 with a walk and a pair of RBI.

Winker is not in the lineup Monday against the Phillies.

Winker projects to play nearly every day for the next week now that Scott Schebler (elbow) is on the disabled list, but the outfield prospect will take a seat for his first off-day since April 1. Phillip Ervin will take over in right field to replace him.

Ohtani is not in the lineup for Monday's game against the Rangers.

Ohtani will get the day off after tossing seven dominant innings against the A's on Sunday, striking out 12 and allowing no runs on just two baserunners. The 23-year-old is off to an incredible start to the season, going 2-0 with a 2.08 ERA, 0.46 WHIP and 18:2 K:BB across 13 innings while slashing .389/.421/.889 with three homers in 18 at-bats. Justin Upton is starting at designated hitter with Ohtani opening Monday's game on the bench, which opens up a spot for Ryan Schimpf to start in left field.

Brantley is not in the lineup for Monday's game against the Tigers, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

The Indians will look to ease Brantley into action as he returns from ankle surgery, so he'll head to the bench for Monday's series opener after starting each of the previous three games. In his place, Rajai Davis will start in left field and hit sixth. The 30-year-old is 2-for-11 with a walk and a pair of RBI since returning from the disabled list last week.

Harper went 3-for-4 with two walks, a home run, two runs scored and two RBI in Sunday's extra-inning loss to the Mets.

The slugger already has six homers and 12 RBI through nine games to begin the season, and other teams have noticed -- Harper's also been walked 13 times against only five strikeouts. Staying healthy is always a concern, but if Harper can suit up for 150 or more games this year, something he's only done once in his career so far, a truly historic performance at the plate could be the result.

Ohtani (2-0) pitched seven scoreless innings with 12 strikeouts to record his second win Sunday against the Athletics. He allowed just one hit and issued a single walk.

Marcus Semien broke up a perfect game in the seventh inning and Jed Lowrie followed that up with a walk, but Ohtani was able to finish the frame before handing things over to the bullpen. It hasn't taken long for Ohtani to live up to the lofty offseason buzz he garnered. He's won both his starts with 18 strikeouts through just 13 innings while also hitting three home runs with seven RBI through just 18 at-bats. His ability to contribute in both pitching and hitting categories adds value unforeseen in past years, and fantasy owners who took the calculated risk on him should be thrilled with his impressive start to the season.