MLB Player News

Pederson exited Thursday's spring game because of a back spasm, Pedro Moura of The Athletic reports.

Pederson suffered the injury running down the line Thursday. The outfielder didn't seem too worried about the issue, stating that he doesn't expect to miss any games as a result. Pederson should be considered day-to-day for now; his status will be worth monitoring as Opening Day draws closer.

Carpenter (back) won't return to the lineup before Sunday against the Marlins, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Carpenter has been out since last Sunday with a sore back. It's concerning that he remains out of the lineup so soon before Opening Day, though the Cardinals don't appear worried that he'll miss an extended period.

Carpenter (back) was "moving around better" Wednesday according to manager Mike Shildt, Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports.

Carpenter has been nursing back tightness since Sunday, but he's progressing toward a return to action in the coming days. Shildt hasn't committed to an exact return date for the veteran infielder, but the goal is to get Carpenter some game action before the team departs Florida on Sunday. The 33-year-old is hitting .179 with three home runs and four RBI over 28 spring at-bats, but he hasn't suited up since Saturday.

Manager Gabe Kapler said Wednesday that McCutchen will open the season as the Phillies' leadoff hitter, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Kapler cited McCutchen's combination of on-base skills and slugging as the main reasoning behind deploying the outfielder atop the order rather than Cesar Hernandez, who draws walks at a high clip and makes good contact but isn't as much of a power threat. While McCutchen will need to perform well to stick in the top slot on a permanent basis, the Phillies' early commitment to using him in the leadoff role is a major boon to his fantasy value. Assuming health prevails, McCutchen should have a good chance to reach double digits in steals again and surpass the 100-run plateau for just the second time in his career.

The Cardinals don't plan on having Carpenter (back) return to Grapefruit League action until at least Friday, Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports.

Carpenter first experienced back problems Sunday, resulting in him being scratched ahead of the Cardinals' game against the Marlins. Manager Mike Shildt said Monday that he's not concerned about Carpenter's availability for the start of the season, but the team will nonetheless proceed cautiously with the 33-year-old so that the back tightness doesn't become a lingering issue throughout the campaign.

Reyes (fatigue) is back in the lineup for Monday's game against Cleveland, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Reyes hadn't played since Thursday, but he apparently just needed a rest and wasn't carrying any specific injury. The outfielder has hit .286 with an .896 OPS so far this spring.

Harper will play four innings in right field in a minor-league game Monday, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

The original plan was to restrict Harper to designated hitter duties, but he felt confident enough to test his bruised ankle with some defensive work. Assuming that goes well, he'll be back with the big-league squad Wednesday. Barring setbacks, he should be unaffected by the start of the regular season.

Carpenter (back) isn't included in the Cardinals' lineup for Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies.

Carpenter will get some more time to recover after he was surprisingly scratched from the lineup ahead of Sunday's game against the Marlins due to back tightness. The issue isn't believed to be a major concern or anything that will impact Carpenter's availability for Opening Day, but he could sit out a few more spring contests for precautionary reasons.

Harper went 0-for-3 with a walk in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Yankees.

Harper, who didn't play Saturday after getting hit by a pitch in the foot the day before, went hitless in his return to action (as the designated hitter). The outfielder is now 0-for-8 with a stolen base and 4:5 BB:K through five games this spring. According to Matt Breen of The Philadelphia Inquirer, Harper is scheduled to play in a minor-league contest Monday before returning to the field Wednesday against the Tigers.

Reyes hasn't played since Thursday due to fatigue, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Manager Andy Green downplayed the issue, noting that he's just giving Reyes some rest because the outfielder is tired from playing a lot this spring. Reyes is apparently moving around fine and says he'll be back in the lineup soon. It sounds like his absence is mostly precautionary, though the situation will be worth monitoring with Opening Day less than two weeks away.