MLB Player News

Goins sat out of Wednesday's game due to illness, Gregor Chisholm of MLB.com reports.

Goins is battling a case of the flu, which will likely keep him out of the lineup for a couple of days while he recovers. The versatile utility man is expected to serve as the Blue Jays' every day second basemen for the first part of the season while Devon Travis recovers from shoulder surgery. Look for Goins to get back in the lineup within the next few days and begin the year batting in the bottom third of the Blue Jays' order.

Ozuna (ankle) was scratched from Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals, MLB.com reports.

Ozuna departed from Tuesday's game after just three innings when he injured his ankle on an awkward slide. Ozuna was 2-for-2 in the game prior to departing and has put together a strong spring so far, slashing .379/.406/.724 in 29 at-bats. Expect him back in the lineup in the coming days.

Blackmon is slashing .242/.419/.455 with two home runs this spring.

The left-hander has been getting on base at a very nice clip this spring thanks to nine walks, and the fact that three of his eight hits this spring have gone for extra bases helped boost his slugging percentage to a healthy size. If Blackmon can produce this kind of slash line at the top of the Rockies lineup this season, he'll continue to be a valuable fantasy asset with a rare combination of power and speed.

Pederson went 0-for-3 against the Royals on Tuesday, but he's still hitting .324 this spring and is set to be the everyday center fielder.

The average looks nice, but Pederson has struck out 16 times and walked just twice in 37 at-bats. He's likely to hit in the bottom third of the order initially.

Cespedes went 1-for-3 with a single in Sunday's exhibition, extending his spring hit streak to nine games.

He has just one extra-base hit over that nine-game span (a double), but Cespedes is hitting with consistency, and what's really important at this stage is his health. Cespedes was hit on the wrist by pitch Thursday, but there were no noticeable ill effects after a couple days off, and he's in the lineup in center field and batting third again Tuesday.

Choi has a chance to earn the final spot on the Angels' bench, the Orange County Register reports.

As a Rule 5 pick, Choi has to be offered back to the Mariners at half of his $50,000 draft price if the Angels don't want to keep him on their 25-man roster all season. Unless he's able to push his way into the mix for outfield at-bats in left field, Choi will likely be limited to sporadic playing time at first base and DH behind Albert Pujols and C.J. Cron.

Reed is likely to open 2016 with Triple-A Fresno because he's never played at that level, Evan Drellich of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Reed has held his own this spring, hitting .250 with two doubles and a home run over 32 Grapefruit League at-bats, but the Astros' first base competition will likely come down to Jonathan Singleton and Tyler White with Reed opening the year in Fresno. However, he could make his big league debut later this season if Singleton or White don't perform to expectations.

The Padres optioned Dickerson to Triple-A El Paso on Monday.

In the competition for a spot as a reserve outfielder and first baseman, Dickerson didn't distinguish himself this spring, batting .111/.333/.111 with two RBI, two runs, and three strikeouts versus four walks in 18 at-bats. He'll now serve as organizational depth at Triple-A.

Belt (undisclosed) returned to the lineup Sunday, going 4-for-4 with four RBI and his first home run of the spring in the 10-4 win over Colorado.

Belt was scratched from Saturday's lineup for undisclosed reasons, but the club stated that it was not injury-related. He reassured owners by having his best day at the plate during Cactus League play. Belt has the starting first base job locked down for Opening Day, but he will likely lose 10-15 starts when Buster Posey slides over to first base during his "off days."

Carpenter went 2-for-3 with a double and a home run Sunday to raise his spring average to .208.

Carpenter hit leadoff, his presumed lineup spot for Opening Day and looked a bit more comfortable than earlier this spring. He still has a couple weeks to fine-tune his swing but he should be in line for another very good year.