MLB Player News

Winker followed a three-hit game Saturday with two more hits Sunday in a spring training win over the Angels.

All five hits over the weekend were singles, which is representative of what happened at Triple-A Louisville last season. He has a good hit tool that hasn't translated into hitting for power. Winker also has one walk against six strikeouts so far in spring play. He's still a good bet to begin the season back at Louisville.

Carpenter (lower back) is set to take swings off a tee in Jupiter on Monday, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Carpenter will not be swinging at full strength, but the session will serve the all-important purposes of testing his trunk rotation and unearthing any potential oblique issues. The Cardinals' first baseman has already announced he is forgoing his previously planned participation in the World Baseball Classic due to the injury.

Cespedes left Sunday's Grapefruit League game with tightness in his hip and quad muscles, The New York Daily News reports. "He thought his quad, hip was starting to tighten up a little bit, I am sure due to the wind," manager Terry Collins said. "We did baserunning stuff this morning, might have tightened up. So I got him out of there. Doctors looked at him and said he's just fine."

This likely won't be an issue for Cespedes come Opening Day, but expect the Mets to hold him out Monday as a precaution, as he missed 14 games last season with quad issues.

McCutchen (back) went 1-for-2 with a single, sacrifice fly and a stolen base during his return to action Saturday against the Red Sox.

The back issue was clearly never anything to worry about, as the 30-year-old felt good enough to play Saturday after dealing with some tightness earlier in the day. He'll head to the World Baseball Classic soon and shouldn't have any lingering issues moving forward.

Dickerson (back) is running at full speed and is closer to playing in games, Bill Center of Padres.com reports.

Although Dickerson continues to progress, Manager Andy Green remained cautious as to his return. "We don't want to hurry him into another setback," he said. The young slugger has been steadily participating in more baseball activities this spring and should see plenty of Cactus League action before the season begins. Dickerson is coming off a strong rookie campaign and is expected to be the everyday left fielder for the Padres going forward.

Ozuna went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Nationals.

He's 3-for-10 to begin the spring, but Friday's shot was his first spring homer. Ozuna tied his career high with 23 home runs in 2016, but the Marlins will be looking for a little more from their 26-year-old left fielder this season.

McCutchen is nursing a tight back but expects to play Saturday against the Red Sox, Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports. The outfielder said his back was "a little tight when [he] woke up this morning."

He wore a heat wrap on his lower back before Saturday's game. McCutchen has dealt with chronic knee issues throughout his career, but has never made mention of back problems. The Pirates have little incentive to play him during a meaningless exhibition game, so if there's any question about his injury, he'll likely sit out. Otherwise, the tight back may simply indicate that the former MVP is now 30 years old.

Manager Mike Matheny said that Carpenter (back) has informed Team USA he will skip the World Baseball Classic, Jennifer Langosch of MLB.com reports.

Evidently, the injury has progressed to a point where Carpenter has become concerned for his long-term health. Matheny mentioned that the infielder has been holding back from hitting drills over the past week while dealing with the ailment. In addition, Carpenter is concerned the back soreness could impact his oblique, something that kept him out for a month last season. Fantasy owners can rest assured that the three-time All-Star is committed to getting back to full strength by Opening Day.

Carpenter (back) may skip the World Baseball Classic, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

The versatile infielder's workouts are being "slowed down" because of his lingering back soreness, which likely means increased caution by the organization to preserve him before the 2017 season. There's still time for Carpenter to improve before suiting up on Opening Day, though the WBC may get in the way of that.

Harper went 1-for-2 with two walks, two runs scored and a two-run home run in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros.

Ho hum, another big game at the plate for Harper, who's now got a ridiculous 1.806 OPS through his first handful of spring appearances. He's only had one truly huge season in the majors so far, but even in a down 2016 campaign he managed 24 homers and 21 steals. Harper still has as much fantasy upside as anyone in MLB.