MLB Player News

Harper hit a solo home run in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals, his fourth long ball in 21 spring at-bats.

Last season ended up being a big disappointment for Harper due to neck and shoulder issues, making it easy to forget he clubbed nine homers in April with a 1.120 OPS before the injuries took the sting out of his batting stroke. If the 24-year-old can stay healthy in 2017, he has as much fantasy upside as any player in the league.

Turner is batting third and playing third base in Friday's Cactus League game against the Rangers.

Turner received a lubricating injection in his knee Wednesday, forcing him to rest for a couple of days. It appears to be a simple procedure designed to improve the long-term health of the joint, so look for Turner to be a full participant going forward.

Carpenter (back) says he will hit in a batting cage Monday to re-evaluate his injury, Rick Hummel of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Carpenter has already returned to spring game action for defensive purposes, but has not yet been cleared to swing a bat. The veteran infielder says he's trying not to rush the process and remains adamant he'll be ready to go by Opening Day. "I don't feel the need to rush it," he said. "The only time I feel it is swinging, and even then I think I'm pretty close." Carpenter is expected to begin the 2017 season as the Cardinals' primary first baseman.

Carpenter (back) played five innings at first base in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros, MLB.com reports.

He has not yet been cleared to swing a bat but Carpenter wanted to get some time at first base, his new everyday position. The box score will show Carpenter recorded a single in the game, but it was a bunt single to beat the shift -- the Astros shifted their defensive alignment when Carpenter came up, seemingly unaware of his restrictions. Carpenter plans to begin taking swings in the batting cage Monday.

Cespedes went 2-for-3 with a two-run home run, his third blast of the spring, in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Tigers.

He's been on fire at the plate so far this spring, hitting .526 (10-for-19) with a 1.579 OPS. Cespedes set career highs in walks and OPS in 2016, his first full season with the Mets, and with his contract situation no longer a distraction the 31-year-old slugger could take his production to another level in 2017.

Harper went 1-for-3 with a solo home run, his third of the spring, in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Marlins.

He's got six hits so far this spring, and half of them have left the yard. Harper appears to be fully healthy, and ready to pick up where he left off in 2015 and the early part of 2016 before he was slowed by neck and shoulder issues.

Carpenter (back) expects to begin taking more swings in the batting cage by Monday with the hope of returning to action the following weekend, Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports.

The infielder is already slated to miss the World Baseball Classic, so now he can focus solely on getting back to 100 percent prior to Opening Day. It seems like the injury is beginning to subside, so as long as the progression on Monday goes without a hitch, Carpenter should be back in action relatively soon.

Pederson went 1-for-3 with a solo homer -- his third of the spring -- in Wednesday's loss to the Brewers.

Pederson's home run puts him in a tie for the most home runs hit in spring training so far. This should come as no surprise when you consider his .847 slugging percentage last season was second among all Dodgers, only trailing their young phenom shortstop, Corey Seager. Pederson hit 25 homers in 137 games as a strict platoon player. This year, manager Dave Roberts said Pederson will get more at-bats against lefties. With more plate appearances, the potential for reaching the 30-homer mark becomes a reality for the 24-year-old.

Dickerson (back) is practicing in full Thursday, and while he's unavailable for game action, he could DH on Saturday if his rehab goes well in the meantime, Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

The outfielder is competing for a starting spot with Hunter Renfroe, Travis Jankowski and fellow injured fly-catcher Manuel Margot (knee). Dickerson has the pop to contribute to deep mixed fantasy owners if he can find consistent at-bats, and the fact he hits left-handed may work in his favor should he show thump over the next few weeks.

Carpenter (back) is back in the starting lineup for Thursday's spring game, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Carpenter is expected to miss a week of spring action due to a back injury, but he'll occupy the nine-spot in Thursday's exhibition contest. His position in the batting order should allow him to get in some defensive reps, though Carpenter has yet to be cleared to take full swings. If his spot in the order does come up, Carpenter will likely be removed for a pinch hitter, or take all of the pitches headed his way.