MLB Player News

Miller's role as the full-time shortstop in 2016 was confirmed by manager Kevin Cash, Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Cash dismissed any possibility of a platoon with Tim Beckham, who has only managed a .129 average this spring. In turn, Miller, acquired in a November trade with the Mariners, has produced a .296 average with a homer, four RBI and a stolen base over his 27 at-bats. Despite a propensity for some inefficiency at the plate, Miller served as a solid source of extra-base hits, home runs and RBI relative to his 327 at-bats in 2015. With a significant boost in plate appearances on the horizon in the coming season, he could turn into an above-average infield option in all formats.

Cabrera has had a good spring, recording a .324 batting average with three home runs and eight RBI in 37 at-bats. He has also walked eight times.

Miggy's OPS is elite this spring -- it's 1.020 -- so it's not a stretch to think he'll get off to a good start to the season, especially with both J.D. Martinez and Justin Upton in the Tigers' lineup. Cabrera could easily return to his past elite form if injuries are truly in his past.

Cespedes (shoulder) will play center field against righty pitchers and shift to left field against lefties, the NY Post reports.

Against righties, Michael Confoto will play left field. When a lefty starts, Cespedes will shift to left, Juan Lagares will play center and either Conforto or Curtis Granderson will be in right field with the other on the bench. Originally, manager Terry Collins had considered leaving Cespedes in center and Lagares in left, but decided to play Cespedes and Lagares in their natural positions.

Turner left Tuesday's game early as a precaution after being spiked, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

The calf that was struck is reportedly fine, so the fact that he left the game afterward is of little concern. Turner should be fine to resume his usual duties as the starting third baseman in the coming days.

Reed was optioned to minor league camp Monday.

Reed was impressive this spring, hitting .311 with three home runs and nine RBI over 48 Grapefruit League plate appearances with the Astros. Unfortunately, he fell short in his bid to win the Opening Day first base job, but as camp progressed, it was expected he'd open 2016 with Triple-A Fresno because he's never played at that level. The 22-year-old will likely make his big league debut this season, but how soon will depend on how Tyler White performs early in the year.

Goins went 1-for-3 and recorded his 10th RBI of the spring in the Jays' game against the Rays on Sunday.

He was sidelined by an illness last week, but Goins appears to be healthy again. With Devon Travis still recovering from shoulder surgery, Goins is expected to handle the bulk of the starts at second base for Toronto to begin the season.

Manager Terry Francona confirmed Sunday that Brantley (shoulder) won't begin the season as the Indians' left fielder, Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Brantley appears poised to avoid a DL stint once Opening Day arrives on April 4, as Francona said that the outfielder will travel with the team. In the short term, though, Brantley has been shut down to give his shoulder a rest, with his last appearance taking place on Monday, March 21. If he indeed misses the first game of the season, Rajai Davis is the leading candidate to start in left field.

Cespedes (shoulder) is back in the lineup for Sunday's Grapefruit League against the Nationals, Adam Rubin of ESPN.com reports.

Manager Terry Collins previously said that Cespedes was dealing with "a little twinge" in his right shoulder that prevented him from playing the last two days, but the injury was never viewed as anything serious. He should get at least a couple at-bats in Sunday and is slated to enter the regular season at full health.

Cespedes (hip), who sat out Friday's and Saturday's games due to a twinge in his right shoulder, is expected to play Sunday, SNY.TV reports.

Cespedes felt the twinge in his shoulder making a throw Thursday. Tests revealed no damage, enabling him to return to the lineup Sunday.

McCutchen (quad) will bat second and play center field Saturday against Tampa Bay, Bill Brink of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

The outfielder missed Friday's game and the two-hour bus ride to Fort Myers, but will play against the Rays on Saturday. Manager Clint Hurdle continues to bat McCutchen second in the lineup, an indication that the team's best hitter will likely hit in the spot to start the regular season.