MLB Player News

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.

Turner will undergo precautionary X-rays after being hit by a pitch on his left hand during Wednesday's Cactus League game against the Giants, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Turner remained in the game for a few innings and actually hit a home run in his subsequent at-bat, but he'll still undergo some testing just to be safe. The veteran third baseman indicated he felt fine, but he may take it easy for a few days.

Winker won't play Wednesday in the Reds' 'B' game against the White Sox due to an illness, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Per Andy Masur of 720 WGN Chicago, Winker had been scheduled to serve as the Reds' designated hitter and leadoff man Wednesday before the ailment thwarted the plan. He'll likely only need a couple days off to recover from the illness.

Miller (back) is slated to return to Grapefruit League action Saturday against the Astros, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Miller, who's hitting .300 over his first four spring games, was scratched from Sunday's game against the Astros with back stiffness. Miller will remain out through the next two games Wednesday and Thursday, and he'll get an extra day of rest on Friday's team off day before jumping back into action.

Pederson (side/hip) is able to take batting practice but expects his first game appearance to be in minor-league camp, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

Though Pederson has been ramping up his intensity in the batting cage, his comments Monday suggest that he isn't close to taking the field. Manager Dave Roberts has likewise indicated that the team's focus is on getting Pederson healthy rather than rushing him toward readiness for Opening Day, casting significant doubt on the outfielder's status for the March 26 opener.

Carpenter (back) will start at third base and bat third in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Twins, Rick Hummel of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

A bout of back tightness kept Carpenter out of the lineup for the Cardinals' previous four spring games, but the veteran gained clearance to rejoin the starting nine after he was able to complete full workouts over the weekend without incident. Before his brief shutdown, Carpenter had made two starts this spring, going 2-for-4 at the dish.

Pederson (side/hip) raised his intensity to 80 percent Sunday, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

The outfielder has been swinging a bat as he recovers from a sore right side/hip, with Sunday's increase in intensity indicating notable progress. Still, manager Dave Roberts indicated that Pederson is still a couple weeks away from getting into a game, casting doubt on his status for Opening Day.