MLB Player News

Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg sounds as though he's intrigued with the idea of finding more playing time for Darin Ruf, who is batting .280 (7 for 25) with a .520 slugging percentage, two home runs and six RBI in 12 spring games.

"He's trying to get in the lineup on opening day," Sandberg said of Ruf, per the Philadelphia Daily News. "Looking at the at-bats and swings for the last 10 days of spring training, he's one of the hot bats. He would be a guy I want in there."

While Ruf is having a productive spring, he still has to earn a spot on the opening day roster.

"[His spring numbers] are good, that'll help him," general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said. "But he's not a lock. Nobody is a lock."

The Cardinals have reached a six-year agreement with blossoming third baseman Matt Carpenter, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch has reported. The deal is worth $52 million with a team option for 2020.

The contract covers all three seasons in which Carpenter would be arbitration eligible and potentially three years of free agency.

The 28-year-old Carpenter blossomed in 2013, finishing fourth in the National League Most Valuable Player voting after leading the league in runs, doubles and hits. He was also among the premier clutch hitters in the game and has proven himself as an infielder and outfielder. His move to third base this season is expected to be permanent.

Carpenter left the team during the game Wednesday for a physical. That is standard practice before teams and players agree to a long-term deal.

Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen hit his first home run of the spring Friday while going 3 for 3 with a double, two RBI and two runs in his team's 6-5 loss to the Twins.

McCutchen is 8 for 11 in his first four games with one walk and one stolen base to go along with his home run. A few months off has done little to slow him down after winning the 2013 NL MVP award.

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper expects to see some improvement against lefties this season, according to MASN.

Harper hit a home run against left-hander Brett Oberholtzer Friday. He told reporters after the game that he believes having his knee at full health will help him against same-handed pitching. Harper added that he's not feeling any pain in his knee this spring. 

Harper hit .274/.368/.486 in 424 at-bats last year.

Cardinals infielder Matt Carpenter is looking at a six-year extension, according to FoxSports.com.

The deal is said to be worth $50 million and $55 million. The two sides are "very close" to completing the deal. The 28-year-old Carpenter posted a .318/.392/.481 slash line over 626 at-bats last year.

Cardinals infielder Matt Carpenter is closing in on a long-term extension with the club, according to CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman.

The rumored deal is said to cover at least three seasons of arbitration, and should cover some free-agent years. The St. Louis Post Dispatch initially reported the two sides were discussing a deal Wednesday. 

Carpenter hit .318/.392/.481 in 626 at-bats last year.

The Cardinals and infielder Matt Carpenter are discussing a multiyear extension and continued to progress toward a deal Wednesday, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Carpenter left the team's complex during Wednesday's game, "presumably to have a physical," according to the report. He just completed his first full season with the Cardinals, hitting .318/.392/.481 with 11 home runs and 78 RBI in 626 at-bats in 2013.

Giants first baseman Brandon Belt went 2 for 3 with a double and one run scored in his team's 3-2 win over the Rockies Tuesday.

Belt dealt with neck stiffness over the last few days but returned Tuesday to post his third multihit performance in four spring games. He's 6 for 10 with two doubles, two runs and one RBI thus far.

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper went 0 for 2 with one walk and one run in Tuesday's 8-4 spring loss to the Braves.

Harper didn't make the trip for Monday's game due to illness, but he was back at it one day later. He is 0 for 3 with three walks, one run and one stolen base over two games thus far.

Giants first baseman Brandon Belt is feeling better Tuesday, according to the Mercury News.

Belt has been dealing with a stiff neck, and was hoping to return Tuesday. He's scheduled to return to the lineup, and will hit third. Belt hit .289/.360/.481 in 509 at-bats last year.