MLB Player News

Cespedes (leg) is starting in center field and hitting cleanup Friday against the Giants.

He was out of the lineup for the last five games, but made one pinch-hit appearance and hit a home run in that outing. Owners can rest easy and knowing Cespedes is back for the foreseeable future, and he can be deployed Friday in all formats.

Goins is in no immediate danger of losing his spot to Devon Travis (shoulder), who has begun his rehab assignment after having off-season surgery, MLB.com reports.

Second base belongs to Goins, and while that could eventually change, Travis will need to earn his spot on the field. Goins could speed up that timeline if he continues to struggle with the bat, but the Blue Jays are content with his defense and seem to be in no hurry to make a move.

Manager Walt Weiss said that Blackmon (toe) will likely join the team Friday for the weekend series in Arizona, Nick Groke of the Denver Post reports.

Blackmon completed his second rehab game with High-A Modesto on Wednesday and went 1-for-4 with a run. The outfielder seems to be doing better given that he was able to play in back-to-back games, but it is unclear if he'll be able to suit up for the series opener Friday. His status should become clearer as Friday's game time approaches.

Manager Dave Roberts said Thursday that Turner will start every game in the Dodgers' upcoming series against the Padres, J.P Hoonstra of the Southern California News Group reports.

Turner is out of the lineup Thursday, but Roberts told reporters that he'd be in the lineup for all three games this weekend when the Dodgers face the Padres. Cesar Vargas, Colin Rea, and Drew Pomeranz are the scheduled starters that Turner and the Dodgers will be facing over the weekend.

Turner is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Marlins.

It's not entirely clear why Turner is being held out Thursday, but he will open on the bench while Howie Kendrick gets the nod at the hot corner.

Ozuna is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Dodgers, according to Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald.

Manager Don Mattingly is hoping that holding Ozuna out will help him snap out of a 2-for-11 skid at the plate. Ozuna's day off allows his replacement -- Ichiro Suzuki -- to start against fellow countryman Kenta Maeda.

Brantley went 1-for-3 with a walk, a steal and a run against the Twins on Wednesday.

After an 0-for-4 performance in his first start of the year, Brantley got started on filling the back of his baseball card in this one. If he can stay on the field moving forward, Brantley should be a lock for double-digit homers and steals, with a shot at joining the 20-20 club for the second time.

Winker hit his first Triple-A homer and knocked in four runs Tuesday against Norfolk.

Winker has started the season by displaying his typical excellent plate discipline without hitting for much power, putting together a .316/.403/.404 line through the first 15 games. We'll most likely see him in the majors this summer, after Super Two considerations have passed.

Martinez knocked in four RBI with a home run and a double in Wednesday's 9-4 win over Oakland.

It was a big night for the outfielder after coming in hitless in his previous eight at-bats. He hasn't exactly shown the power yet that helped him hit a career-high 38 homers last season, but Wednesday's game was a good sign. With a .293 average for the season, Martinez is still a solid fantasy play.

Belt went 3-for-5 with a double, triple, five RBI and two runs in a victory over the Padres on Wednesday.

It was Belt's first three-hit game since Opening Day and his first five-RBI night of the season. Belt has reached base five straight games, mostly due to his newfound patience. He has 14 walks and just 13 strikeouts in 72 at-bats. Belt is now also slashing .303/.402/.513.