MLB Player News

Pederson (side/hip) will play five innings in a minor-league game Sunday, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

Pederson has been slowed by soreness in his side and hip since early in camp. He's cutting things somewhat close to be ready by the start of the regular season. The Dodgers are deep enough that they can afford to treat him carefully and send him on a brief trip to the injured list if necessary, though they haven't officially indicated that they plan on doing so.

Torrens "is in the race" for a spot on the Opening Day roster, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Francisco Mejia and Austin Hedges remain heavy favorites to share duties behind the plate once the regular season begins, but both have struggled this spring, with Mejia going hitless in 13 at-bats and Hedges batting .214. Torrens is only 2-for-11, but he represents a middle ground between Mejia's solid bat and Hedges' elite defense. Still, Torrens will likely need to turn it on over the next few weeks to break camp with the big-league club.

Miller (back) remains sidelined, according to Jeff Jones of The News-Democrat.

It was thought that Miller would rejoin the lineup Saturday, but he is not ready to resume playing in games just yet, and it remains to be seen when he will be. However, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports Miller is taking practice swings and is simply being held out for precautionary reasons.

Carpenter went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in a Grapefruit League tie against the Mets on Thursday.

Carpenter struggled with some relatively minor back issues earlier in Grapefruit League play, but he's subsequently been able to suit up for three games without issues. The two-run round tripper Thursday was Carpenter's third spring hit and first of the extra-base variety. The veteran is looking to rebound from an injury-shortened and sub-par season in 2019, one that saw him generate the second-lowest batting average (.226), on-base percentage (.334) and slugging percentage (.392) of his career.

Pederson (side/hip) has been cleared for a full workout Friday, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Pederson has dealt with a strained side and sore hip since early in camp and has yet to get into a Cactus League game. He's expected to get some at-bats in minor-league camp soon, with his availability for Opening Day still up in the air.

Turner (hand) is in the lineup as expected Friday against Seattle, batting third and playing third base, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

Turner was hit on the hand by a pitch Wednesday against the Giants, but X-rays came back negative and he wasn't expected to miss much time. His preparation for the upcoming season shouldn't be impacted by the minor delay.

Winker (illness) is batting second as the designated hitter in Friday's Cactus League game against the A's.

The 26-year-old was expected to serve as the designated hitter for Wednesday's contest before being scratched with the ailment, but he'll slot back into that role for Friday's matchup. Winker had an .830 OPS in 113 games last season and is competing for time in Cincinnati's crowded outfield following the offseason acquisitions of Nick Castellanos, Shogo Akiyama and Travis Jankowski (hamstring).

Pederson (side/hip) could appear in minor-league games soon, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Pederson has yet to make his spring debut due to a sore right side/hip, though it sounds like he's nearing a return to game action. The outfielder is expected to start out playing in minor-league camp before ultimately making his Cactus League debut. While Pederson is trending in the right direction, his status for the start of the season remains in doubt.

Manager Dave Roberts said Turner's hand is OK and he's expected to play Friday against Seattle, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

Turner was hit by a pitch on his left hand during Wednesday's Cactus League game against the Giants, though he remained in the game -- and homered in his next at-bat -- before undergoing precautionary X-rays afterwards, which came back negative. He's on track to return to the lineup for Friday's spring game against the Mariners after taking Thursday off to rest and recover.

Turner had X-rays come back negative after being hit by a pitch on his left hand during Wednesday's Cactus League game against the Giants, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

The news is reassuring but not overly surprising, as the veteran third baseman remained in the game for a few innings after taking the hit and clubbed a homer in his subsequent at-bat. Turner may still end up taking things easy for a few days for precautionary reasons.