MLB Player News

Pederson went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer and two runs scored against the Giants on Thursday.

Four games into the season, we've seen a pretty familiar version of Pederson -- one who's off to a strong start and is showing his power bat, but has also struck out seven times in 16 at-bats. The enticing potential for a power-speed combo will keep him in fantasy lineups, but he's going to struggle with batting average again if he can't start making more contact.

Winker went 2-for-4 for Triple-A Louisville in his season premiere Thursday.

Winker slashed .282/.390/.433 with 13 home runs, 55 RBI and eight steals in 123 games at Double-A last season. Winker possesses an advanced approach at the dish, though he does not project to be a huge producer of either home runs or steals.

Turner is out of Thursday's lineup against the Giants.

This is just a standard day off for Turner, who has four hits in his first three games, including two doubles. Enrique Hernandez will get the start at third base and hit seventh against righty Jake Peavy.

Buxton went 2-for-4 with two doubles in Wednesday's loss at Baltimore.

Buxton was 0-for-3 with three strikeouts in his first game, which is a worry since he struggled to make contact last season (just 66 percent contact rate and a 44:6 K:BB ratio in 129 at-bats). Buxton is hitting ninth in the order and could move to leadoff if he shows more command of the strike zone.

Canha went 1-for-4 with a solo homer and two strikeouts in Wednesday's 2-1 win over the White Sox.

After coming more or less out of nowhere to produce 16 homers and 70 RBI in 124 games as a rookie last season, Canha should again see a decent share of duty at first base and the corner-outfield spots this season. The homer came off southpaw starter Carlos Rodon, which is promising for the right-handed Canha after he rather unusually hit righties much better (.821 OPS) than lefties (.575) last season and struck out twice against left-handed pitching in the season opener.

Brantley (shoulder) will head to Triple-A Columbus to continue his rehab Friday, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

It's unclear when Brantley might see some action in a minor league game but for now he'll shift his rehab to Columbus instead of travelling with the Indians as the head to Chicago for a weekend series.

Stanton slugged a two-run home run in Tuesday's extra-innings loss to the Tigers.

He also drew a walk over five plate appearances in the Marlins' season opener. Stanton gave the team a shot in the arm Tuesday and they eventually tied things up before losing the game in extras. Stanton showed no signs of rust despite missing the final 88 games of the 2015 season and remains a constant threat to leave the yard.

Ruf is in the lineup Wednesday versus the Reds, batting fifth and playing first base.

The 29-year-old ceded the start on Opening Day to Ryan Howard with righty Raisel Iglesias on the mound, but Ruf will garner the start Wednesday with the left-handed Brandon Finnegan going for Cincinnati. He dominated left-handed pitching last season, posting a 1.107 OPS against them in the 2015 campaign, so he'll look to continue that trend this season as he platoons with Howard at first base.

Blackmon is not in the lineup Wednesday against the Diamondbacks, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

With lefty Patrick Corbin taking the ball for Arizona, the Rockies will give Blackmon the day off after going 0-for-4 with a strikeout Tuesday. Brandon Barnes will take his spot in center field and bat eighth in the rubber match.

Goins is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rays, Shi Davidi of Sportnet.ca reports.

Darwin Barney will take over at second base against lefty Matt Moore, pushing Goins to the bench after a 3-for-12 start to the season. Goins got the start Monday against a lefty (Drew Smyly), but he hit just .212/.269/.318 against southpaws last year, so it would only makes sense if his exposure to them to remained somewhat limited.