MLB Player News

Pederson credits mechanical adjustments made this winter with his early-season success, the Dodgers' official site reports.

Pederson is off to a .257/.316/.514 start, including a pair of homers in 12 games. His .14 BB/K is uncharacteristically low compared to last season's 0.54 mark, but we should see that rise considerably over the course of the season. The bigger concern is that Pederson has just three at-bats versus left-hand pitching, though manager Dave Roberts has not called this a strict platoon.

Stanton went 2-for-3 with a home run, two RBI, and two runs scored on Monday against the Nationals.

Stanton is off to a slow start this year, hitting just .238 early on. Although the slugger has three home runs in 42 at-bats, he has no other extra-base hits thus far. Stanton is a career .269 hitter and has prodigious power. His bat should pick up sooner rather than later.

Buxton is in the lineup for Monday's game against the Brewers, MLB.com's Rhett Bollinger reports.

Buxton did not start the last three games due to a hand injury, but he was able to log a couple at-bats Sunday off the bench, and is now back in the starting lineup. He will man center field and hit ninth against Brewers starter Chase Anderson.

Ruf is out of the lineup Monday against the Mets, Ryan Lawrence of the Philly Voice reports.

Ruf returned from a shoulder injury for Sunday's contest, but he'll head back to the bench with right-hander Noah Syndergaard taking the ball for New York. Ryan Howard will man first base and bat cleanup in his stead.

Pederson hit the game-winning two-run home run in Sunday's 3-1 victory over the Giants.

The 23-year-old is off to a nice start in his second full season -- he's slashing .257/.316/.514 through the first two weeks. Pederson's numbers at this point are slightly above where they were last year at this time, which is an encouraging sign that the young outfielder is making strides.

Buxton (hand) entered Sunday's win over the Angels as a pinch runner in the eighth inning and went 0-for-2 with a stolen base when the game went to extra innings.

Buxton had been out since Thursday after being hit by a pitch on the hand. It looks like he could return to the lineup Monday.

Carpenter went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk in Sunday's game versus the Reds.

The lefty tied the game in the fifth inning when he bashed his second home run of the season, and he has now accounted for 10 RBI and eight runs scored over the last eight games. Carpenter's average still sits at a modest .250, but he is hitting the ball with authority and continues to get on base, as his .911 OPS will illustrate.

McCutchen went deep Sunday for his second homer in as many days against Milwaukee.

Unfortunately for fantasy owners, the solo home run was his lone hit in six official at-bats -- he twice was retired with the bases loaded. McCutchen is also still looking for his first stolen base after being thrown out for the second time in two attempts Sunday.

The Indians are hopeful that Brantley will be able to play in consecutive games at some point this week which should clear him for a return date soon thereafter, MLB.com reports.

Brantley's soonest activation would appear to be around Wednesday of this week but that's far from certain at this point as he's yet to see action in back-to-back days during his rehab thus far.

Martinez went 1-for-4 with a solo homer Sunday at the Astros.

Martinez's second blast of the season brought the Tigers within a run in the sixth inning of a game they'd go on to lose. Although he's now hit safely in three straight games, he only has three hits in his last 14 at-bats. Despite the mini-slump, his batting average remains a stellar .372.