MLB Player News

Ozuna went 3-for-4 with a walk, a run and an RBI in a win over the Mets on Friday.

The 26-year-old is off to a good start to the campaign, going 7-for-17 with four RBI through four games. Ozuna is still looking for his first extra-base hit of 2017, but if he keeps making solid contact, the doubles and homers will come.

Buxton is batting in the seventh slot for Saturday's game against the White Sox, Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports.

Buxton has batted third in the first four games this season, but he's off to a horrendous 1-for-18 start with 11 strikeouts. Accordingly, with Jorge Polanco hitting .400, a shuffle was in order. Buxton's speed and defensive abilities will keep him in the starting lineup, but he'll need to improve at the plate if he wants to see more at-bats.

Martinez (foot) began swinging a bat Friday and manager Brad Ausmus said he is progressing well, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Martinez is rehabbing in extended spring training, but continues to make strides towards a full recovery. The veteran slugger sprained a ligament while diving in a Grapefruit League game, delaying the start of his 2017 season and enabling a right-field platoon between Mikie Mahtook and Tyler Collins. Barring any setbacks, expect Martinez to ramp up his rehabilitation within the coming weeks.

Cespedes went 1-for-4 with a solo homer in Friday's loss to the Marlins.

The eighth-inning blast off Nick Wittgren was Cespedes' first of the season. The 31-year-old only has three hits through four games, but his 3:2 BB:K is a good sign that better days are right around the corner.

McCutchen went 3-for-4 with one walk and an RBI against Atlanta on Friday.

He hit the ball with authority Friday and crushed a foul ball down the left field line with plenty of home run distance. His effort was particularly encouraging after an 0-for-9 start to the season at Fenway Park. McCutchen also looked spry on the bases, as if he was looking to run when possible. It's only one game, but he played much better Friday in the home opener.

Belt went 2-for-4 with two homers and five RBI on Friday against the Padres.

Belt blasted a grand slam to give the Giants a brief lead in the sixth inning before homering again in the eighth to bring the team within a single run in a losing effort. He's connected for three homers and six hits over his last four games, and the power is especially welcomed by fantasy owners who haven't seen the veteran hit more than 18 bombs in any season to date.

Harper went 2-for-4 with a homer, a walk, two runs and two RBI on Friday against the Phillies.

Harper's second homer of the year gave the Nationals a first-inning lead they'd never relinquish. He's reached base nine times over four games and he's off to a great start as he tries to put his disappointing 2016 campaign behind him. It certainly wouldn't be a big surprise if he returned to his status as one of the elite hitters in the majors.

Dickerson (back) was transferred to the 60-day disabled list Friday.

There haven't been many developments on how the 26-year-old has been recovering from a protruding disc in his back, but this move makes it seem like he's not close to a potential return to action. Jabari Blash will take his spot on the 40-man roster for the time being, but things should become clearer as Dickerson is able to resume physical activities.

Miller went 1-for-3 with a run and a walk in Thursday's 5-2 loss to the Blue Jays.

Miller's spring funk has carried into the first four games of the regular season, as he's hitting just .188 with at least one strikeout in each of those four outings. Thursday's effort provided a glimmer of hope, however, considering the 27-year-old had gone hitless over eight at-bats over the prior two games. Miller will try to make this April drastically different from last season's, a month in which he slashed .185/.254/.354 over 65 at-bats.

Pederson is hitting eighth in Friday's lineup against the Rockies, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

This revised order may be the Dodgers' standard fare against left-handed starters. Colorado's Kyle Freeland is on the hill Friday, and in turn, Pederson is knocked down to the No. 8 slot. He was hitting sixth and fifth over his first three contests and should continue hitting somewhere near there against most right-handers. At least the Dodgers have him in the lineup against left-handers, which may help his overall growth by facing them. The soon-to-be 25-year-old certainly needs to improve in that column: he holds a career .176/.272/.321 line against lefties.