MLB Player News

Harper is still a few days away from making his Grapefruit League debut, Matt Breen of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

There haven't been any suggestions that Harper is dealing with an injury, so this appears to be simply a case of a veteran heading into his 10th big-league season who knows exactly how much game action he needs to get ready. There's little reason to fear Harper will be anything other than the elite slugger he's been throughout his time in the league, especially coming off a season in which he walked more than he struck out and produced the third-best slugging percentage (.542) of his career.

Winker was scratched from the lineup ahead of Monday's game against Oakland due to a sore right hip, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

The issue doesn't sound particularly serious, and Opening Day is still a full month away, but it would obviously be preferable for Winker to not already be battling even a minor injury so early in camp. He's coming off a strong year but may be forced to fight for at-bats this season as the designated hitter spot he occupied for much of last year won't be used in the National League, so any extended absence could hurt his push for playing time. Mark Payton will play left field in his absence Monday.

Pederson said he is eager to take on an everyday role with the Cubs and face more left-handed pitching, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

While in Los Angeles, Pederson rarely faced lefties, registering an average of 54 plate appearances per season against southpaws between 2017 and 2019, and only 10 in the abbreviated 2020 campaign. However, Chicago manager David Ross has indicated that Pederson could play more frequently against lefties. This could help the 28-year-old approach the 151 games he played back in 2015, his second season in the majors.

Chicago manager David Ross said he could use Pederson against both righties and lefties this year, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

"The conviction he had and the belief he had in being good against both sides of pitchers is something that he sold me on," Ross said. "And I thought we had a great opportunity for him." Pederson mainly avoided lefties when he was in Los Angeles, and he has a career .576 OPS against southpaws, compared to an .849 OPS against righties. It sounds like the 28-year-old might not start the year in a platoon situation, but if he struggles against lefties, he could lose some at-bats to Jake Marisnick.

Reds manager David Bell said that Winker worked "really hard" over the offseason to improve his defense and has increased his speed, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.. "I don't know how he did that," Bell said. "Every extra step is a big deal."

Without the DH in the NL, Winker's defensive ability takes on a greater sense of urgency. The Reds already have a defensive liability in right field in Nick Castellanos, and Winker previously has been rated poorly as a defender. The team would prefer not to be below average in both corners, and a lack of improvement could lead to either Winker or Castellanos being replaced in the late innings frequently.

Turner may see more down time in 2021, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Turner turned 36 in November and has missed time with injuries in each of the last four seasons, so it makes sense for Los Angeles to allot him a considerable number of off days in order to ensure his health for the team's annual postseason run. Manager Dave Roberts mentioned the desire to get Edwin Rios more opportunities at third base, and the apparent lack of a DH in the NL in 2021 means Turner won't be in the lineup most days when Rios plays, especially since Roberts also ruled out the possibility of Turner seeing time at first base.

Carpenter's exact fit with the Cardinals following the offseason acquisition of Nolan Arenado is expected to be sorted out during spring training, Zachary Silver of MLB.com reports.

The versatile veteran has struggled considerably at the plate across the last two seasons, generating a combined .216/.332/.372 line with a 26.8 percent strikeout rate across 661 plate appearances over that span. Carpenter still has some pop in his bat, however, as 47 (26 doubles, two triples, 19 home runs) of his 120 hits in that sample went for extra bases. Consequently, manager Mike Shildt is receptive to finding a way to keep Carpenter's bat in the lineup on a consistent basis, but the potential lack of a universal DH in 2021 will make that a more challenging feat to accomplish if it comes to pass. Carpenter would be a good potential fit for the team's currently vacant leadoff spot, as he's started 759 career games at the top of the order; however, the 35-year-old would naturally need a position in the field as well, and while he does have experience playing both first and second base, a platoon role at the keystone could ultimately be his best path to occasional playing time.

Ramirez (hamstring) was designated for assignment by the Marlins on Wednesday, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Ramirez missed most of the 2020 season after testing positive for COVID-19, and he was sidelined for the final month due to a left hamstring strain. He'll be removed from the 40-man roster to begin spring training in order to make room for right-hander John Curtiss. Over the past two seasons, Ramirez hit .274 with 11 home runs and 51 RBI over 122 games.

The Cubs are likely to use Ian Happ as their leadoff hitter to begin the season instead of Pederson, Tim Stebbins of NBC Sports Chicago reports.

Pederson batted first 249 times during his seven seasons with the Dodgers, but Chicago manager David Ross said he's likely going to stick with Happ, who was the team's primary leadoff hitter last season. Pederson should still play regularly in left field, essentially replacing Kyle Schwarber, and get plenty of opportunities to produce at the plate.

Turner announced via his personal Twitter account Saturday he is re-signing with the Dodgers.

The 36-year-old has spent the past seven seasons in Los Angeles, and it's not a major surprise to see him returning to the team after winning the World Series in October. According to Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times, Turner will receive $34 million over two years, and the deal also includes a $14 million club option for a third year. He had a .307/.400/.460 slash line with four homers, nine doubles and 23 RBI in 42 games last season, and he should continue to operate as the Dodgers' starting third baseman in 2021.