MLB Player News

Dickerson was held out of workouts on Monday due to back stiffness, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Manager Andy Green added that he didn't expect it to be a long term thing, but only time will tell at this point. The 26-year-old is looking to build on a strong rookie campaign where he slashed .257/.333/.455 while knocking 10 home runs.

Winker faces an uphill battle to make the Reds' Opening Day roster, though manager Bryan Price didn't rule out the possibility. "I'd like Jesse and anyone that is close to or ready for the big leagues to press us to make a tough decision late in camp, to keep themselves in camp as late as they can," Price said. "Things happen. You can't ignore performance sometimes."

This is nearly boilerplate spring training talk from the manager -- Winker currently is slated to go back to Triple-A Louisville, where he can play every day. It's unlikely that he would stick with the big club unless he wins a starting job over Scott Schebler.

Blackmon will serve as the Rockies' leadoff hitter this season, Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post reports.

New manager Bud Black will not shake things up at the top of the order in 2017, as Blackmon will set the table once again for Colorado. Out of the leadoff spot last season, Blackmon slashed .325/.380/.555 with 110 runs and 82 RBI.

Pederson is expected to be the Dodgers' everyday centerfielder this season, the Los Angeles Times reports.

Despite batting just .246, Pederson showed improvements at the plate in his sophomore season. He flashed more power (.495 slugging percentage and .249 isolated power rating) while maintaining his solid on-base skills (.352 on-base percentage). While the numbers don't show it (.125 with one homer in 77 plate appearances against left-handers), manager Dave Roberts was impressed with Pederson's improvements against southpaws last season. Assuming good health, the young slugger should have no problem reaching the 25 home run mark for the third season in a row.

McCutchen will bat third for the Pirates this season, MLB.com's Adam Berry reports.

While the Pirates have understandably cooled on McCutchen's outfield defense, they will still rely on him to serve as a run producer in the three hole this season. He hit .268/.349/.450 with 15 home runs and five steals (on nine attempts) over 395 plate appearances in that spot in the lineup last season.

Carpenter will play for Team USA in this year's WBC, Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports.

Carpenter, who's slated to move to first base this coming season, is coming off a 2016 campaign during which he slashed .271/.380/.505 with 36 doubles, six triples, 21 homers and 68 RBI. He'll be a part of a loaded Team USA roster that includes Nolan Arenado, Brandon Crawford, Paul Goldschmidt, Daniel Murphy and Giancarlo Stanton.

Stanton will play for Team USA in the WBC, The South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports.

He'll join the Orioles' Adam Jones and the Pirates' Andrew McCutchen in the starting outfield for Team USA, while his Marlins teammates Christian Yelich and A.J. Ellis will also be on the bench for the squad. Stanton is coming off the worst season of his career, as various injuries limited him to 119 games with a career-low .240 batting average and .815 OPS, and his inability to stay off the DL has so far prevented the 27-year-old from becoming the fantasy superstar his elite power would suggest he could be.

McCutchen is on the USA roster for the World Baseball Classic, Bill Brink of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

He will be joined in the outfield by Adam Jones, Christian Yelich, and Giancarlo Stanton. After the Pirates announced he will move to the corner outfield in 2017, it will be interesting to see where manager Jim Leyland plays McCutchen during the WBC.

The Cubs are working with Jimenez to be a bit more patient and use all fields at the plate, CSN Chicago reports.

Jimenez, who had a brilliant 2016 season and is considered the Cubs' top prospect, is just 20 years old and still a few years away from the majors, but the organization considers him advanced for his age. "He is someone who doesn't swing and miss much for (his age)," said Jason McLeod, the Cubs' Senior Vice President of Player Development and Amateur Scouting. "Just tremendous strength to drive balls to the middle of the field, probably makes a little too much contact early in counts. I think that's where we are with him and his development path right now, just understanding what pitchers are trying to do to him. (It's) understanding that he can hit balls 420 feet to right field as well as hitting them 480 to left field."

McCutchen will play right field for the Pirates in 2017.

The Pirates are switching up their outfield alignment, with Starling Marte moving to center field and Gregory Polanco taking over in left. McCutchen had his worst defensive season in 2016 and at 30 years old, he is likely better suited at the corner outfield spot.