MLB Player News

Ford, a Rule 5 pick, could act as the starting first baseman if Ryon Healy (hand) isn't ready by Opening Day, Matt Calkins of The Seattle Times reports.

At this point, Healy is expected to be ready around Opening Day, but Ford certainly offers plenty of intrigue if he can land a few starts. The 25-year-old slugger has just three hits in 19 spring at-bats, but two of them have gone for extra-bases. He does have five strikeouts, but the four walks he's drawn are also encouraging. Dan Vogelbach is also in the mix for the spot. A quick return by Healy could make this a moot point.

Brantley (ankle) will hit against live pitching during Wednesday's workout, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Brantley has continued to ramp up his activity in recent days, advancing to agility drills Tuesday after beginning to start defensive work last weekend. With Opening Day just a little more than three weeks away, we might begin to see some sort of target date come into focus, but manager Terry Francona has been fairly quiet on when he expects Brantley back in game action.

Dickerson was diagnosed Wednesday with a UCL sprain in his left elbow and will consider his options before deciding upon a course of action, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

The next step isn't clear at this point, but there's a chance that Dickerson will avoid having to undergo surgery. The outfielder will likely be sidelined for at least six weeks while recovering from the sprain, and would miss even more time if he happens to go the surgical route. Expect a decision within the next few days. Regardless of how Dickerson chooses to proceed with his rehab, he'll open the season on the disabled list, officially taking him out of consideration for the fourth-outfielder role. Dickerson's injury improves the odds of one of Franchy Cordero, Matt Szczur (oblique) and Travis Jankowski breaking camp with the big club.

Rays manager Kevin Cash said that Miller (toe) will likely be held out of Grapefruit League games until next Tuesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Miller was recently able to partake in a simulated game as a designated hitter after being sidelined since late February with a broken right pinkie toe. According to Topkin, playing through the injury isn't a problem for Miller, but the impact the broken toe has on his stride is a concern for the Rays, given that the 28-year-old has previously dealt with hip issues and is coming off offseason core-muscle surgery. Miller is tentatively slated to serve as the Rays' primary second baseman this season, though he could also split time at first base with the newly acquired C.J. Cron.

Martinez will play left field in Wednesday's game against the Twins, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

This will be Martinez's debut in a spring-training game, but he has participated in two controlled minor-league games. He homered off Rick Porcello on Monday and has five hits, three RBI and four walks in the two simulated sessions. While he'll be playing the field Wednesday, Martinez is expected to get most of his playing time as Boston's designated hitter.

Miller (toe) played as the designated hitter for both teams in a simulated game Tuesday, Bill Chastain of MLB.com reports.

There were no setbacks reported for the infielder, who went 0-for-3 with a sacrifice fly and will be off from all physical activity Wednesday. It remains to be seen if manager Kevin Cash will determine that Miller's participation Tuesday was sufficient from him to return to Grapefruit League action. Miller has been out since Feb. 23.

Manager Andy Green indicated Tuesday that Reyes' wrist injury is still bothering him, Bill Center of MLB.com reports.

Reyes underwent wrist surgery during the offseason and appeared back to full strength after recently returning to spring action. There is no specific timetable for the 22-year-old's return. However, Green did say Reyes is "not going to be out there for a while."

Reed went 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBI in Tuesday's game against the Nationals.

Reed's homered in two straight games, but is hitting just .174 through nine spring games. He continues to battle with J.D. Davis (.455, two HR) and Tyler White (.188) for a temporary roster spot opened up by the absence of Yulieski Gurriel, who will be out until mid-to-late April with a hand injury. None of those three, however, are expected to have a large role. Marwin Gonzalez is the likely fill-in for Gurriel at first base.

Dickerson (elbow) is expected to be out through Opening Day, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Dickerson has been battling an elbow injury all spring and isn't making the expected progress. He continues to be monitored by team doctors and his return timetable is unclear. Dickerson's absence limits the Padres' bench outfielder competition to Franchy Cordero, Matt Szczur and Travis Jankowski, with Hunter Renfroe and Jose Pirela competing for primary duties in left field.

Ozuna is expected to be the Cardinals' cleanup hitter more often than not this season, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Manager Mike Matheny is typically coy about lineup matters during spring training, but he hasn't shied away from utilizing the former Marlin consistently in the cleanup spot this year. Ozuna bashed 37 homers and drove in 124 runs with Miami last season, and if he's going to spend much of his time in the meat of the Cardinals' order, he very well could replicate those numbers.