MLB Player News

Harper went 1-for-2 with two walks, two runs scored and a two-run home run in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros.

Ho hum, another big game at the plate for Harper, who's now got a ridiculous 1.806 OPS through his first handful of spring appearances. He's only had one truly huge season in the majors so far, but even in a down 2016 campaign he managed 24 homers and 21 steals. Harper still has as much fantasy upside as anyone in MLB.

McCutchen went 1-for-4 with a run Thursday against the Tigers.

He has four hits (including two doubles) in 15 Grapefruit League at-bats thus far and has made a relatively easy transition from center field to right. McCutchen, who will soon leave for the World Baseball Classic, has enjoyed a quiet camp following a tumultuous winter.

Soler went 0-for-2 against the Cubs on Wednesday and is now 0-for-8 with two walks through four spring games. "They're just getting their timing down," manager Ned Yost told the Kansas City Star. "I don't really think too much about it until about the halfway point."

Soler's getting a chance to sit back and observe Thursday, with Alex Gordon taking over in right field and Brandon Moss in left. He was hit by a pitch on the shoulder in his first at-bat against his former team Wednesday, but Soler stayed in the game and there has been nothing to suggest his absence Thursday is related. The 25-year-old Soler is expected to open the season in an everyday role after coming over from Chicago in a December trade, playing primarily in right field but perhaps seeing occasional time in left.

Pederson went 1-for-3 with his first home run of the spring -- a three-run shot -- in Wednesday's win over the Giants.

The home run was also the centerfielder's first hit in Cactus League action. Pederson has a starting job locked down, so he will just look to get his bat going heading into the regular season. While his job is secure, his spot in the batting order is not. Manager Dave Roberts mentioned Pederson as one of several options that could be used as a leadoff man this season. Pederson's combination of on-base percentage (.352) and power (.495) make him a candidate to bat anywhere in the order. If he ends up batting atop the Dodgers lineup, then his potential for runs goes up while his RBI chances will decrease. The inverse can be said if he lands in the heart of the rotation. Wherever he lands, Pederson will be a good bet for 25 homers and a strong on-base percentage.

Carpenter was removed from the starting lineup of Thursday's spring game because of lower back stiffness and is day-to-day.

He'll be reevaluated Friday. This looks like a precaution for the versatile infielder, who's lined up to play first base on Opening Day. Keep an eye on this issue, but early indications don't provide a reason to panic in fantasy leagues.

Dickerson (back) played catch for the first time since the opening week of camp, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Dickerson said he was feeling good after the light throwing session, a small but important step on the road to recovery. Nonetheless, expect the Padres to be apprehensive with putting him back in game lineups before he feels completely healthy. A clearer timetable should be available as he progresses towards regular workouts.

Ozuna (shoulder) is included in the lineup for Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Mets, Andre Fernandez of the Miami Herald reports.

A sore shoulder cost Ozuna a few days of action, but he'll be back in left field and hit sixth in the order Tuesday, which could be his regular lineup spot once the regular season arrives. A second-half collapse ended up depressing Ozuna's final numbers in 2016, but he still brought value for those who drafted him with 23 homers, 76 RBI and a .266 batting average.

Brantley (shoulder) took batting practice on the field Monday, Nick Camino of WTAM 1100 in Cleveland reports.

Brantley took batting practice indoors over the weekend, marking a milestone is his rehab after he'd been previously restricted to playing soft toss. This is another small step in the right direction for Brantley, though his availability for Opening Day still remains in jeopardy.

Martinez (pectoral) will man right field and bat in the cleanup spot in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Braves.

Martinez was only sidelined a couple of days with pectoral tightness, and his reentry into the lineup indicates he's fully recovered from the issue. Even though an injury-plagued 2016 season dinged his final numbers, Martinez still profiles as one of the game's top power bats. His .908 OPS last season was actually superior to what he provided in 2015, when he smacked a career-high 38 homers.

Canha went 1-for-2 with an RBI double and walk in Sunday's 5-3 Cactus League loss to the Angels.

Canha brought home Eric Young, Jr. and Alejandro De Aza in the third with a double to left, drawing the A's even with the Angels at 1-1 at the time. The right fielder, who'll platoon with offseason acquisition Matt Joyce this season, hit out of the two-hole Sunday and has looked strong this spring after missing the majority of 2016 with a hip injury.