MLB Player News

Cespedes (wrist) will get at-bats in a minor-league game Saturday, James Wagner of The New York Times reports.

He expects to get into the lineup for a big-league game Monday, so it sounds like Cespedes' wrist is almost back to normal. Meanwhile, Michael Conforto (shoulder) has also been playing on the minor-league side, and is on track to beat his initial May 1 timetable, so the Mets will soon have a pretty crowded outfield. Cespedes should obviously be in the lineup most days when healthy.

Winker went 3-for-4 with a double and four RBI in the Reds' 16-13 loss to the Brewers in Cactus League play Friday.

The three-hit performance raised Winker's spring line to .406/.459/.656, with the outfielder contributing six extra-base knocks in 32 at-bats. Power wasn't a major component of Winker's game as he rose through the Reds' farm system, but the 24-year-old displayed more pop than expected during his multiple stints in the big leagues in 2017, homering seven times in just 137 plate appearances. With the organization viewing Winker as major-league ready, it's expected that he'll see at least semi-regular starts during the upcoming campaign while rotating in with established regulars in Scott Schebler, Adam Duvall and Billy Hamilton. Given Hamilton's questionable on-base skills, it wouldn't be an especially surprising development if manager Bryan Price eventually tabs Winker as the leadoff man for an extended period.

Cespedes (wrist) expects to play Monday, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

Cespedes was scratched from Tuesday's game against the Astros with wrist soreness. Whil his X-rays came back negative, he received a cortisone shot Wednesday and has yet to resume hitting or throwing. His status for Opening Day is uncertain, and there's some chance this issue lingers and affects his power. It will be important to see how his wrist reacts upon his return to the lineup.

Cespedes (wrist) remains day-to-day, Matt Ehalt of The Bergen Record reports.

It was revealed earlier in the week that Cespedes received a cortisone injection in his wrist, even though X-rays came back negative. While he has time to get right for Opening Day, this injury should result in his draft day price tag coming down slightly, as it could not only affect his availability, but it could negatively impact his power output if it lingers.

Carpenter manned first base in Wednesday's 3-1 Grapefruit League win over the Astros and went 2-for-2 with a two-run home run.

Carpenter made his in-the-field debut following a turn at designated hitter in his first Grapefruit League game Tuesday, but what he did at the plate was just as much of a story. The veteran infielder connected off starter Justin Verlander for a two-out, two-run shot in the third with Tommy Pham aboard, following a first-inning single. It's been an auspicious start to spring for Carpenter, who'd also walked and scored in both of his plate appearances Tuesday.

Blackmon may continue to bat leadoff now that Carlos Gonzalez is back with the Rockies, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

No official word has come forth on this front, but the primary reason Blackmon would've dropped in the order was to get another solid run-producer in the middle of the lineup. With Gonzalez back in the fray, the Rockies have another proven slugger that can fill the hole in the middle of the lineup. As a result, Blackmon may be able to stay atop the order.

Torrens was sent to Double-A San Antonio on Wednesday.

Torrens was plucked from Low-A in the 2016 Rule 5 draft and the Padres managed to keep him on their roster for the entire season despite him being clearly not major-league ready. The 21-year-old hit just .163/.243/.203 in 139 plate appearances, though it's tough to blame him for that, as he really should have been spending the year at High-A. He'll head back to a level that will suit him better this season and is likely at least a year away from returning to the big leagues.

Carpenter (back) will make his Grapefruit League debut in the field Wednesday against the Astros, Joe Trezza of MLB.com. He'll play first base and bat third.

Carpenter checked out fine while serving as the Cardinals' designated hitter in Tuesday's exhibition against the Marlins, drawing walks in both of his plate appearances on the day. The veteran's return to the infield suggests the Cardinals aren't too concerned about his health heading into Opening Day, but Carpenter will still need to pick up several at-bats over the next week to ensure he's ready to handle a full-time role when the season begins.

Ozuna, who came into Tuesday's 11-4 Grapefruit League win over the Marlins with just four hits in 28 at-bats, went 2-for-4 with an RBI double and two runs against his former team.

The slugging outfielder was bound to break out of his funk sooner or later, and he picked on some of his former teammates while doing so Tuesday. Ozuna's first-inning two-bagger plated Dexter Fowler and opened the scoring on what would be a prolific afternoon for the Cardinals' offense, giving him his third RBI of spring in the process. While strikeouts have been a knock on Ozuna's spring thus far, he encouragingly made contact in all four trips to the plate Tuesday, snapping a streak of nine consecutive games with at least one whiff.

Carpenter (back) filled the designated hitter role in his Grapefruit League debut Tuesday, drawing two walks and scoring twice in a pair of plate appearances during an 11-4 win over the Marlins.

He finally saw game action after dealing with a back issue since a mid-February weight lifting session brought about a sprain. Carpenter's exit after two at-bats was planned, according to Joe Trezza of MLB.com, as opposed to a sign of any setback. He's now slated to play first base on Wednesday versus the Astros. As far as his debut outing, Carpenter encouragingly took multiple swings and ran the bases without issue, leaving him highly satisfied with his long-awaited return to the field. "I felt great," Carpenter said of his brief return. "I saw the ball well. Now, it's just about building at-bats through the spring and I'll be ready to go."