MLB Player News

Canha (back) will run the bases Wednesday, the San Francisco Chronicle's Susan Slusser reports.

This is the last major hurdle for Canha before he returns to action. The team hopes he can get into a game by this weekend, and he should be ready to occupy the short side of a first base platoon when the season begins.

Belt (illness) will return to the lineup Wednesday, CSN Bay Area's Alex Pavlovic reports.

He was dealing with a sinus infection, but should now be considered fully healthy for the final three weeks of spring games. Belt will look to improve on last year's career-high 18 homers in his age-28 season this year.

Canha (back) will do all of his normal activities before Tuesday's spring game, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Canha won't play in Tuesday's game but should return by the end of the week. He's not a lock to make the Opening Day roster, as Oakland boasts impressive depth in the outfield.

Stanton (knee) hit in a cage Tuesday and also did some light running, MLB.com's Joe Frisaro reports.

Stanton was held out of Monday's spring game and could miss a few more contests, but he's merely considered day-to-day due to soreness in his knee. More important, there haven't been any reported issues with the left wrist that didn't recover from surgery as quickly as expected last season. Now more than eighth months removed from the procedure, Stanton has been swinging a bat without any pain since at least November or December.

Buxton went 1-for-3 in Monday's spring training win over Baltimore. He's 2-for-10 in four games this spring.

Buxton is the leading candidate to start in center field and will likely win the job unless he really struggles this spring. If Buxton begins the season in the minors, the Twins could begin the season with Danny Santana as a stopgap or move Eddie Rosario to center field. However, so far all the talk from management is of Buxton winning the role.

Brantley (shoulder) could be taking live batting practice swings by the weekend, MLB.com reports. "It was all according to plan, which is all good," manager Terry Francona said regarding Brantley's examination Sunday. "There's no red flags, nothing. He just got a really good report."

Brantley and the Indians still haven't formulated the plans around his Cactus League debut and he's still looking at a mid-April return at this point but it's been nothing but positive news thus far for Brantley in his recovery from offseason shoulder surgery.

Soler is 0-for-5 with three strikeouts through two games this spring.

Although it is a small sample size, the three strikeouts in five at-bats is troubling, especially after posting a 30 percent strikeout rate in 2015. The 24-year-old will look to find his stroke this week and is preparing to be part of a left field platoon with Kyle Schwarber to start the season.

Brantley (shoulder) was cleared to continue his hitting program after a follow-up examination Sunday, Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain-Dealer reports.

The exam appears to be a planned follow-up, and all signs this spring regarding Brantley's chances of a mid-April return have been encouraging. The Indians' are woefully thin in the outfield, putting added importance on Brantley's return to full health in the coming weeks.

Turner (knee) will see additional at-bats against minor league pitching Tuesday, Bill Plunkett of the OC Register reports.

Turner appears to be nearing full strength after undergoing microfracture surgery back in November, but manager Dave Roberts said Monday that Turner is not quite ready for major league spring games. He figures to take that next step soon, however, and the expectation remains that he'll be ready in time for Opening Day.

Stanton (knee) will not play in Monday's spring game due to a sore right knee, MLB.com's Joe Frisaro reports.

Details regarding Stanton's setback are slim, but it appears the Marlins simply want to prevent him from traveling for Monday's exhibition contest. Stanton should be considered day-to-day until he returns to the field, but at this point it does not seem this injury will threaten his status for Opening Day.