MLB Player News

McCutchen went 2-for-4 with a double, an RBI and a walk Monday against the Nationals.

McCutchen struck out in five of his first nine plate appearances of the season and was out of the lineup both Saturday and Sunday. He returned to bat fourth Monday and struck out two additional times, though he also managed his first hits of the new campaign -- including a key RBI knock in the eighth inning. The Pirates' lineup is deeper than last season when McCutchen was a regular, but he'll likely get plenty of time to get his bat up to speed.

Morel went 2-for-3 with a run scored during Monday's 5-0 victory over the Rockies.

Despite the modest stat line, Morel's sixth-inning single with two-men on was the impetus for the Cubs' victory as a misplay by left-fielder Nolan Jones saw the ball roll all the way to the wall and allowed both runners to score. Jones then added a throwing error on the same play that allowed Morel to complete the little-league home run. Unfortunately, Morel did not get credited with an RBI on the play but it's been a solid start to the season for the Cubs' third-baseman. Through four games he's collected seven hits in 17 at-bats with a homer, three RBI and four runs scored.

Winker was removed from Monday's game against the Pirates due to illness, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

This is good news for the Nationals, as it likely means Winker will return within a day or two. The team should know more about Winker's availability for Wednesday after re-evaluating him Tuesday.

Winker was removed from Monday's game against the Pirates with an apparent injury, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Winker didn't suffer an obvious injury but was replaced in left field by Eddie Rosario to begin the top of the second inning. He didn't take an at-bat or have a ball hit to him before being lifted. The Nationals should provide more clarity on Winker's situation soon.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said Monday that Martinez remains at extended spring training and will be reevaluated in 2-to-3 days to determine if he'll be assigned to a minor-league affiliate at that time, Laura Albanese of Newsday reports.

He was officially optioned to Triple-A Syracuse a week ago but has not reported there. Martinez is still trying to fine-tune his swing after not signing with the Mets until late in spring training. He will likely join the Mets around mid-April, although a definitive date has not been set yet. Martinez will be the Mets' everyday designated hitter when he does join the big club.

Winker went 2-for-3 with a walk and a double in Sunday's loss to the Reds.

Facing the club he made his big-league debut with in 2017, Winker continues his hot start to the season but wasn't able to generate any production outside of his OBP. The 30-year-old has started all three games in left field for the Nationals so far while Eddie Rosario gets a look in center field, and Winker's 5-for-11 showing with a 2:3 BB:K should keep him in the lineup, even if he has only one run and one RBI to show for it so far.

Morel went 1-for-5 with a three-run home run in Sunday's 9-5 win over the Rangers.

Morel got the show started for the Cubs, clubbing a three-run homer off Texas starter Jon Gray in the top of the first inning, giving Chicago an early 3-0 lead. The 24-year-old has opened the season red-hot, going 5-for-14 with a homer, a triple, three RBI and three runs scored.

Blackmon is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks, Luke Zahlmann of The Denver Gazette reports.

Blackmon went 3-for-11 with a double, a triple, three RBI, two runs and a stolen base in the first three games of the season, but he'll step out of the lineup Sunday. Jake Cave will take over in right field.

McCutchen is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Marlins, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

McCutchen went 0-for-9 with two walks, an RBI and five strikeouts in the first two games of the season but finds himself on the bench Sunday for the second straight contest. Bryan Reynolds will rest his legs as the designated hitter with Edward Olivares and Connor Joe starting in the corner outfield spots.

Harper is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against Atlanta, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

The veteran slugger remained in the game Saturday after taking a tumble over the camera well railing attempting to field a foul ball, but he won't be in the lineup for Sunday's series finale. Manager Rob Thomson said it's a scheduled off day, per Matt Gelb of The Athletic, so Harper is apparently fine and should be back in the lineup Monday. He didn't see much action down the stretch in spring training due to a back issue and is off to a slow start, going 0-for-6 with two walks, a run and a stolen base in the first two games of the season. Alec Bohm will shift to first base while Edmundo Sosa receives a start at the hot corner.