MLB Player News

Winker played two innings in center field Saturday and four innings there on Sunday, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports. Winker will still be the starting left fielder, but will also back up Scott Schebler for as long as Nick Senzel is down in the minors. "We need to make sure that we have someone who can play out there," Bell said on Sunday. "Talking to guys that have seen Jesse play out there, he's done it before."

Winker played some center field in the minors at Triple-A Louisville, but he's not especially fleet of foot. The Reds want to leave Yasiel Puig alone in right field, instead of experimenting with playing him in center.

Carpenter (back), who struck out in his only at-bat during a Grapefruit League win over the Marlins on Sunday, will lead off in every inning during a game at minor-league camp Monday, Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports.

The goal is to get Carpenter as many reps at the plate as possible before Thursday's season opener versus the Brewers, considering he missed the last week of Grapefruit League action due to his back issue. In addition to the work he'll get Monday, Carpenter is also set to face Luke Gregerson in a simulated game Tuesday prior to joining his teammates in Milwaukee.

Pederson is starting in left field and leading off in Sunday's exhibition game against the Angels, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Pederson was scratched from Saturday's lineup due to hamstring tightness but makes his return Sunday, as expected. Manager Dave Roberts said Saturday that the 26-year-old is scheduled to play all three games against the Angels leading into Thursday's season opener.

Carpenter (back) will hit leadoff and start at third base in Sunday's Grapefruit League finale against the Marlins.

It appeared earlier Sunday that Carpenter was out of the lineup for the spring finale, but it turns out he will return to action after missing the last week. The 33-year-old has been battling a tight back, but his return to the field Sunday should alleviate concerns about his status for Opening Day.

Carpenter (back) is not in the lineup for Sunday's Grapefruit League finale.

The Cardinals announced earlier in the week that Carpenter would not return to the lineup before Sunday, but it turns out he will not be able to take the field Sunday, either. He will have one more chance to see action before the regular season begins with the Cardinals still playing an exhibition game Monday in Memphis, but the club has not revealed its plan of action, and at this point, Carpenter is less than certain to be ready for Opening Day.

Ozuna went 1-for-2 with a solo home run, a sacrifice fly, a walk and two runs in a 15-5 Grapefruit League win over the Mets on Friday.

Ozuna's second homer of spring opened the scoring in the eighth for the Cardinals in the rout. The veteran outfielder is reportedly as healthy as he's been years following shoulder surgery this offseason, and he's been working on getting his timing down at the plate after a late start to spring.

Pederson (back) is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Diamondbacks.

Pederson was expected to return to the lineup quickly after exiting Thursday's game due to back spasms. According to Ken Gurnick of MLB.com, manager Dave Roberts said the 26-year-old's absence is precautionary and he will play all three games in the exhibition series against the Angels, which begins Sunday.

Harper went 2-for-3 with a walk, two homers, three runs and three RBI in Thursday's game against the Blue Jays.

Harper's late arrival and cold start to spring gave at least some reason to worry that the slugger may start the season in a slump. If Thursday's exploits are anything to go by, he sure seems ready now, as his spring OPS soared up to 1.192. The outfielder has typically started the season hot, as he owns a .309/.436/.619 line through the end of April over the course of his career.

Winker has failed to record a hit in his last 13 spring at-bats, but manager David Bell isn't concerned, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

When asked if there was concern over Winker's struggles this spring, Bell stated, "No, I'm not. I'm not at all. I wish I had a better way to explain why spring training results -- I don't look too much into them." While Bell has previously said he would like to get Winker regular at-bats this season, the outfield in Cincinnati is crowded with the likes of Matt Kemp and Scott Schebler also fighting for playing time. The situation will only get further complicated when top prospect Nick Senzel joins the team.

Pederson (back) is expected to be in the lineup Friday, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

Pederson exited Thursday's spring game early due to a back spasm, but manager Dave Roberts said he expects him to return to the lineup Friday. Locked into a battle for playing time with Alex Verdugo, Pederson is hitting just .167 but does have three home runs in 42 at-bats.