MLB Player News

Pederson went 1-for-3 with a solo homer -- his third of the spring -- in Wednesday's loss to the Brewers.

Pederson's home run puts him in a tie for the most home runs hit in spring training so far. This should come as no surprise when you consider his .847 slugging percentage last season was second among all Dodgers, only trailing their young phenom shortstop, Corey Seager. Pederson hit 25 homers in 137 games as a strict platoon player. This year, manager Dave Roberts said Pederson will get more at-bats against lefties. With more plate appearances, the potential for reaching the 30-homer mark becomes a reality for the 24-year-old.

Brantley (shoulder) feels good Thursday after taking swings Wednesday, and he should participate in a five-inning simulated game Friday, Andre Knott of WTAM 1100 reports.

These are small steps of optimism for the former MVP candidate, though his timetable remains undefined. He recently faced live pitching, though, and if he can work something close to a week of spring games, his regular-season prognosis would improve dramatically. Though caution is recommended, Brantley could help mixed league fantasy drafters in the late rounds and/or as a fifth outfielder.

Dickerson (back) is practicing in full Thursday, and while he's unavailable for game action, he could DH on Saturday if his rehab goes well in the meantime, Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

The outfielder is competing for a starting spot with Hunter Renfroe, Travis Jankowski and fellow injured fly-catcher Manuel Margot (knee). Dickerson has the pop to contribute to deep mixed fantasy owners if he can find consistent at-bats, and the fact he hits left-handed may work in his favor should he show thump over the next few weeks.

Canha will receive playing time in center field Friday, Jane Lee of MLB.com reports.

The surprise 2015 breakout star wilted in 2016 but will scrape together platoon at-bats at least to start 2017, and throwing him into the center field fire may be a way to expand his contributions, including those for fantasy players in AL-only leagues.

Carpenter (back) is back in the starting lineup for Thursday's spring game, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Carpenter is expected to miss a week of spring action due to a back injury, but he'll occupy the nine-spot in Thursday's exhibition contest. His position in the batting order should allow him to get in some defensive reps, though Carpenter has yet to be cleared to take full swings. If his spot in the order does come up, Carpenter will likely be removed for a pinch hitter, or take all of the pitches headed his way.

Goins hit leadoff and went 1-for-3 in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Orioles.

After going hitless through his first 12 at-bats of the spring season, the utility infielder has now managed a hit in his last three games. With Darwin Barney ahead of him on the depth chart, Goins -- who is out of minor-league options -- entered camp seemingly destined to be designated for assignment. However, with the Jays' starting second baseman, Devon Travis (knee), possibly beginning the season on the disabled list, Goins has a legitimate shot of being added to the 25-man Opening Day roster, thus avoiding being exposed to waivers.

Turner received a preventative lubricating injection in his knee and should return to action later in the week, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

The injection doesn't appear to be serious, as he had the same thing done earlier in spring training and was able to return after a few days of rest. He'll likely be back playing by the end of the week and shouldn't be hindered by the knee as spring training progresses.

Cespedes (hip) will bat third in the order and play left field in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros, MLB.com's Anthony DiComo reports.

Cespedes experienced tightness in his hip while advancing from first to third base in Sunday's game and had been held out of the lineup for the subsequent two days. It appears the time off was all Cespedes needed to heal up, as the fact that he's back in the field rather than serving as the team's DH indicates the Mets don't have much concern about his mobility. Though he's no longer a factor on the basepaths like he was as a rookie with the Athletics, Cespedes has hit 30-plus homers and batted at least .280 in the past two seasons, making him a high-floor selection in the early rounds of fantasy drafts.

Carpenter (lower back), who swung off a tee Monday, will miss at least another week with his lower back tightness, Rick Hummel of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. "We're still a ways out," Matheny said. "Yesterday was his first day off a tee, so there's a slow progress there."

The Cardinals' projected starting first baseman has already been taking part in defensive drills but still must be able to swing without restrictions before being reinserted into game action. Carpenter's earliest likely return projects to be March 16 versus the Twins, with the team wanting to ensure that his current ailment doesn't morph into an oblique strain, an injury that sidelined him for a month in the 2016 season.

Martinez is focused on improving his defense in 2017 after a down year in the field last season, MLB.com reports.

While defense doesn't immediately impact Martinez's fantasy value, it could affect his value in free agency next offseason. His defensive metrics all went down in 2016, but if he looks good in the field and at the plate in 2017, he could be in for a significant payday. Confidence also counts for something, so if Martinez is excelling in the field, it could carry over to his at-bats.