MLB Player News

Cespedes went 4-for-6 with three homers and five RBI in Tuesday's 14-4 drubbing of the Phillies.

After hitting just .154 through the season's first seven games, Cespedes apparently woke up a new man Tuesday. He absolutely went off on the Phillies, homering in his first three at-bats on a day that ultimately saw the Mets go yard seven times. Another season of 30-plus homers with solid average and strong counting stats appears to be in the works.

Carpenter, who is out of the lineup Tuesday, experienced back tightness Monday night, Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports.

Apparently, the back issue is not the sole cause of Carpenter's absence Tuesday. Manager Mike Matheny said Carpenter's 2-for-16 career record against lefty Gio Gonzalez, Tuesday's starter for the Nationals, factored into the decision to hold Carpenter out. The 31-year-old also dealt with back trouble throughout the spring, but he should be considered merely day-to-day for now.

Buxton went 0-for-3 with three strikeouts in Tuesday's 2-1 loss to the Tigers.

He was caught looking all three times, twice by Matt Boyd and once by Justin Wilson. Buxton's big finish to last season seems like a distant memory, as he's hitting .069 (2-for-29) to begin 2017 with a shocking 1:17 BB:K. Until he climbs his way out of this slump, the 23-year-old should be far away from any active fantasy rosters.

Carpenter is not in the lineup Tuesday against the Nationals.

Carpenter has gotten off to a sluggish start at the plate (5-for-24 with one RBI), so he'll head to the bench for what looks like a day of rest with lefty Gio Gonzalez hurling for Washington. Jose Martinez will man first base in his stead.

Goins is starting at third base and hitting ninth Tuesday against the Brewers.

Josh Donaldson was held out of Tuesday's lineup with a calf injury, giving way to Goins at third base. Goins has appeared at the plate once this season and has slashed just .223/.270/.324 in his major-league career, but could appear in the lineup until Donaldson is back in full health.

Martinez (foot) took regular batting practice Monday and is slightly ahead of schedule in his recovery, the Detroit News' Chris McCosky reports.

It sounds like he is nearing a rehab assignment, but that situation is still a little up in the air. He will likely head to High-A Lakeland at first, then eventually move to Triple-A Toledo, per McCosky, with a potential return to the big leagues in late April.

Turner left Monday's game against the Cubs with a quad injury, ESPN.com's Doug Padilla reports.

Turner was hit by a pitch in the top of the eighth inning, and while he initially stayed in the game to run the bases, he was then removed before the bottom half of the frame. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts doesn't believe the injury is serious, and he said Turner will be re-evaluated Tuesday. Any missed time would open up at-bats for Chase Utley and/or Enrique Hernandez.

Harper went 4-for-4 with two walks, two runs scored and three RBI in Monday's 14-6 shellacking of the Cardinals.

All four hits were singles, but that's about the only complaint anyone with Harper shares could have with his performance. The 24-year-old superstar is now slashing a mammoth .385/.500/.654 through the first seven games of the season with two homers, eight RBI and seven runs scored.

Pederson is in the lineup for Monday's game against the Cubs, David Vassegh of AM 570 Los Angeles Sports reports.

Pederson will start in center field and hit eighth with the left-handed Jon Lester set to take the mound for the Cubs. The outfielder's batting has been subpar against lefties in his career, including a bleak .125/.250/.219 line in 2016.

Torrens is in the lineup for Monday's outing against Colorado, Jenny Cavnar of Root Sports reports.

Heading into the season, the highest level that Torrens had played at was Low-A. However, with Austin Hedges struggling to deliver at the plate, Torrens will get the nod to start his first game in the majors Monday night.