MLB Player News

Carpenter (back) isn't in the Cardinals' lineup Thursday but is expected to return Friday, Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports.

We'll confirm whether he's on Friday's card, but it's a positive sign that St. Louis plans on putting him in, considering Carpenter has maintained his readiness for at least a week. As long as Carpenter shows somewhat normal abilities at the dish, fantasy players should feel comfortable drafting the multi-positional gem at his market price, which comes in at an Average Draft Position of 71.70 in NFBC leagues (15-team mixed).

Dickerson was diagnosed with a disc protrusion in his back, Dennis Lin of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports. The outfielder won't require surgery, but he will miss 3-4 weeks.

Dickerson therefore loses a chance to break camp as at least a partial starting outfielder. His promising power makes him a stash candidate in NL-only fantasy leagues, though with an injury like this, the 26-year-old could need more rest than this initial prognosis. This also gives Travis Jankowski and Jabari Blash an opportunity to swipe at least semi-regular left field roles out of the gate, perhaps in a platoon with the former occupying the top side. They have potential for even more should Manuel Margot's knee problem linger. Jankowski has potential for 30-plus stolen bases in a near full season, and though he's raw, Blash already has clubbed five home runs and driven in 13 runs with a .308/.441/.885 spring training line through 13 games. Both fly-catchers could be intriguing early-season gambles in deep mixed fantasy leagues, depending on what their speculators need.

Brantley (shoulder) went 1-for-3 with a double and three RBI in his minor league spring debut Wednesday, Paul Hoynes of of Cleveland.com reports.

Brantley is slowly progressing through his rehab, testing the health of his surgically repaired right shoulder in minor league games before moving on. He said he felt good afterwards, which is good news, but his status for Opening Day remains a question mark. The 29-year-old will appear in another minor league game Friday, and if all goes well, he could see himself in Cactus League games fairly soon.

Colon left Wednesday's game after spraining his right middle finger, Jeffery Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

Colon was 1-for-2 with a stolen base before he jammed his finger sliding back to second base. It's a tough blow for the 27-year-old, who is in a four-way competition for the starting second base job in Kansas City. Before the injury, he was 7-for-28 (.250) with one RBI in 13 games this spring. He should be considered day-to-day until further notice is provided by the team.

Colon left Wednesday's game after jamming his finger, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

Colon was picked off at second and apparently jammed a few fingers on his right hand while he was diving back to the base. It is unclear how long he will be out, so consider him day-to-day until the Royals say otherwise.

Dickerson (back) will head to San Diego to see a spine specialist, Dennis Lin of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

It's the latest rehabilitation effort for Dickerson, who has yet to play in a game this spring while dealing with persistent tightness. The left-hander is looking to build off a breakout rookie season in which he showed potential to develop into a power hitter going forward. Nonetheless, it appears his spring regimen will be delayed a bit longer as he works his way back. Jabari Blash will continue getting opportunities in Dickerson's absence.

Blackmon is 11-for-23 (.478) with three doubles, a home run and a stolen base in nine spring games.

In a spring training dominated by the plethora of injuries striking Rockies camp, the 30-year-old is simply raking. It's foolish to look into spring numbers too much, but one can't help but be pleased by a player showing mid-season form this early on in the campaign. Blackmon will look to carry this torrid start into the regular season as the Rockies primary center fielder and leadoff hitter.

Indians manager Terry Francona said that Brantley (shoulder) would play in minor-league games Wednesday and Friday, MLB.com's Jordan Bastian reports.

Brantley was able to take part in simulated games last week without issue, so he's now slated to test out the health of his surgically-repaired right shoulder in non-controlled game settings. The 29-year-old certainly seems to be trending in the right direction, but his status for Opening Day is still something of a question mark. Even if Brantley is able to demonstrate in spring action that he's good to go for the start of the regular season, he's fraught with plenty of risk in fantasy drafts, as the shoulder procedure leaves serious concern that he'll be able to regain the All-Star form he displayed in 2014 and 2015.

Reed, who is hitting .360 with four homers and 10 RBI this spring, has made "things interesting," according to Houston manager A.J. Hinch, but the team remains committed to Yulieski Gurriel at first base, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Hinch added that the Astros will almost certainly carry 13 pitchers to start the season, so the position-player group will be tough to crack despite Reed's stellar spring training. At the very least, Reed has put last season's debut (.164 in 122 at-bats) in the majors behind him. If he maintains a hot bat at Triple-A Fresno, he's put himself in position to be called up once the Astros are comfortable with 12 pitchers.

Ozuna went 2-for-3 with two doubles, a run scored and an RBI in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Mets.

The two-baggers came against Noah Syndergaard and Robert Gsellman, so Ozuna gets extra credit for the level of competition he was facing. The Marlins left fielder is now hitting .286 with a .571 SLG through 28 spring at-bats, and is rounding into form nicely with Opening Day still a couple of weeks away.