MLB Player News

Cespedes (shoulder) will play center field against righty pitchers and shift to left field against lefties, the NY Post reports.

Against righties, Michael Confoto will play left field. When a lefty starts, Cespedes will shift to left, Juan Lagares will play center and either Conforto or Curtis Granderson will be in right field with the other on the bench. Originally, manager Terry Collins had considered leaving Cespedes in center and Lagares in left, but decided to play Cespedes and Lagares in their natural positions.

Turner left Tuesday's game early as a precaution after being spiked, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

The calf that was struck is reportedly fine, so the fact that he left the game afterward is of little concern. Turner should be fine to resume his usual duties as the starting third baseman in the coming days.

Cespedes (shoulder) is back in the lineup for Sunday's Grapefruit League against the Nationals, Adam Rubin of ESPN.com reports.

Manager Terry Collins previously said that Cespedes was dealing with "a little twinge" in his right shoulder that prevented him from playing the last two days, but the injury was never viewed as anything serious. He should get at least a couple at-bats in Sunday and is slated to enter the regular season at full health.

Cespedes (hip), who sat out Friday's and Saturday's games due to a twinge in his right shoulder, is expected to play Sunday, SNY.TV reports.

Cespedes felt the twinge in his shoulder making a throw Thursday. Tests revealed no damage, enabling him to return to the lineup Sunday.

McCutchen (quad) will bat second and play center field Saturday against Tampa Bay, Bill Brink of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

The outfielder missed Friday's game and the two-hour bus ride to Fort Myers, but will play against the Rays on Saturday. Manager Clint Hurdle continues to bat McCutchen second in the lineup, an indication that the team's best hitter will likely hit in the spot to start the regular season.

Ozuna (ankle) returned to the Marlins' Grapefruit League lineup Thursday, registering a single and a walk in three plate appearances.

He sustained a minor ankle injury Tuesday but the slugger appears to be fully healthy as he's in the lineup once again on Friday. Ozuna has been crushing the ball during exhibition play, slashing .387/.429/.710 over 31 at-bats. He's locked in as the Marlins' two-hole hitter heading into the season and is primed for a resurgence on the stat sheet from a disappointing 2016.

Cespedes (hip) was scratched from Friday's lineup because he felt something in his right shoulder making a throw Thursday though the injury isn't believed to be serious, Adam Rubin of ESPN New York reports.

Anytime you hear an outfielder felt something in his shoulder from making a throw, yellow flags go up. Cespedes won't play Saturday and has about a week to heal before Opening Day. Juan Lagares got the start Friday and if Cespedes is unable to throw immediately, he could be the designated hitter the first two games of the season with New York facing the Royals in Kansas City.

Cespedes did not play in Friday's spring game due to a sore right shoulder, Adam Rubin of ESPN New York reports.

Cespedes will get another day to rest Saturday, but his setback is not considered serious, so he should be able to return to action at some point in the next few days.

McCutchen was scratched from Friday's lineup as a precaution due to tightness in his quadriceps, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

Again, the scratch is more precautionary than due to a significant ailment, so this is likely only a short-term concern. The Pirates have split squad games on Saturday, so he could return then.

Belt had a huge day at the plate Wednesday, going 3-for-3 with a double, two homers and three RBI against the Diamondbacks.

Even more impressive than his stat line was the fact that Belt collected all three hits against left-handed pitchers. His numbers against southpaws last season (.264/.345/.457) weren't far off from his marks against righties (.287/.360/.485), but manager Bruce Bochy will likely still bench Belt against some lefties and slide Buster Posey over to first base, slightly cutting into the former's plate appearances. Belt is still considered a mid-tier first baseman heading into the season.