MLB Player News

Carpenter (back) is fielding grounders and throwing with increased intensity Friday, Joe Trezza of MLB.com reports.

Carpenter has been battling back soreness all spring and has yet to appear in a game. He's been swinging for a few days and is now doing fielding work as well, so he's likely not too far from making his spring debut. His status for Opening Day remains up in the air, but if reports remain positive there's a good chance he'll be ready to go.

Carpenter (back), who continued his hitting program Thursday, is expected to only play first base upon his return, Rick Hummel of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Carpenter has yet to see his first Grapefruit League action while tending to his lower back problems, although he did continue his hitting program in the batting cages for the third straight day Thursday. The original projection for the veteran's return to action was mid-March, but Carpenter feels that timeline is overly cautious and that he'll be able to put in two full weeks of spring training games. Upon his return, he's highly likely to be limited to just playing first base as opposed to multiple positions, which had been discussed at one point this winter. The reason for the change in plan is physical in nature, but it concerns Carpenter's 2017 shoulder issues more than his current injury. "The shoulder is always something we're concerned about," manager Mike Matheny said. "We're trying to get his back right and he's also trying to get his shoulder into a really good place. But that (shoulder) might be something that would push it more toward first base than third."

Torrens has been sidelined with a minor oblique injury this spring, Bill Center of MLB.com reports.

Torrens has only made three plate appearances this spring, but manager Andy Green stated Thursday that the backstop is nearing a return to the field. With Austin Hedges and one of A.J. Ellis or Raffy Lopez set to man catching duties at the big-league level this upcoming season, it seems likely that Torrens will kick off the 2018 campaign in the minors.

Pederson went 1-for-3 with a run scored in Wednesday's spring training victory over the Angels.

The 2017 season was a lost one for the 25-year-old slugger after he was removed from the starting center field job due to a combination of poor performance (.212/.331/.407 in 323 plate appearances), a concussion and the emergence of Chris Taylor. Pederson enters the 2018 campaign with no guarantees of playing time, and a trio of viable candidates to compete with for the Dodgers' starting left field job. He has struggled through his first 26 spring at-bats (.160/.192/.240), but there is plenty of time for him to turn things around and get back in this race. If Pederson can't edge out any of Matt Kemp, Andrew Toles or Alex Verdugo, then he would find himself in a bench role or back in the minors, two scenarios that would wipe out almost all of his fantasy value.

Dickerson was diagnosed Wednesday with a UCL sprain in his left elbow and will consider his options before deciding upon a course of action, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

The next step isn't clear at this point, but there's a chance that Dickerson will avoid having to undergo surgery. The outfielder will likely be sidelined for at least six weeks while recovering from the sprain, and would miss even more time if he happens to go the surgical route. Expect a decision within the next few days. Regardless of how Dickerson chooses to proceed with his rehab, he'll open the season on the disabled list, officially taking him out of consideration for the fourth-outfielder role. Dickerson's injury improves the odds of one of Franchy Cordero, Matt Szczur (oblique) and Travis Jankowski breaking camp with the big club.

Manager Andy Green indicated Tuesday that Reyes' wrist injury is still bothering him, Bill Center of MLB.com reports.

Reyes underwent wrist surgery during the offseason and appeared back to full strength after recently returning to spring action. There is no specific timetable for the 22-year-old's return. However, Green did say Reyes is "not going to be out there for a while."

Dickerson (elbow) is expected to be out through Opening Day, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Dickerson has been battling an elbow injury all spring and isn't making the expected progress. He continues to be monitored by team doctors and his return timetable is unclear. Dickerson's absence limits the Padres' bench outfielder competition to Franchy Cordero, Matt Szczur and Travis Jankowski, with Hunter Renfroe and Jose Pirela competing for primary duties in left field.

Ozuna is expected to be the Cardinals' cleanup hitter more often than not this season, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Manager Mike Matheny is typically coy about lineup matters during spring training, but he hasn't shied away from utilizing the former Marlin consistently in the cleanup spot this year. Ozuna bashed 37 homers and drove in 124 runs with Miami last season, and if he's going to spend much of his time in the meat of the Cardinals' order, he very well could replicate those numbers.

Carpenter (back) started a swinging progression Tuesday, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

As anticipated, the Cardinals first baseman advanced in his recovery program from a sore back. This swinging program currently entails simply swinging in a cage, but it also signals that he's relatively close to returning to game action. No word has come forth as to when he could get back into the lineup, but more information should be available as he swings more. Goold did comment that Carpenter needs to get back into games soon so that he'll be ready for Opening Day. If Carpenter misses any regular-season time, look for Jose Martinez to fill in at first base.

Reyes is 3-for-11 (.273) with two home runs so far this spring.

Reyes underwent wrist surgery during the offseason, but the operation doesn't appear to be hindering him in any way this spring. The 22-year-old will likely open the season at Triple-A El Paso after batting .258 with 25 homers and 102 RBI at Double-A last season.