MLB Player News

The Rockies' center field and leadoff jobs are not likely to get locked down after just one game, but by giving those responsibilities to Charlie Blackmon in the season opener, manager Walt Weiss has given him the first shot to prove himself worthy of an everyday role.

Blackmon just may be better suited to the leadoff role than rival Corey Dickerson. In the minors, he was more proficient at drawing walks and stealing bases. Then again, Blackmon has piled up 481 major league plate appearances over the last three years, and he has just 13 stolen bases and 14 walks to show for it. He does own a .291 batting average, but he owes much of that to the otherworldly 31 percent line drive rate he posted in 2013.

Should everything break right for Blackmon -- a return to more prolific walks and steals along with a sustained high line drive rate -- he could produce enough to keep his job. He would also have a high enough batting average and run total to justify ownership in mixed leagues. I'm skeptical that this will happen, and Dickerson has enough power to wrest playing time from Blackmon in due time, even if he is not the best fit for the leadoff spot.

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper remained in the game after a nasty second inning collision.

The Nationals twitter account initially announced Harper had been removed from the game, but that tweet was premature. Harper took a shin to the face while sliding into second base trying to break up a double play. He was able to walk off the field under his own power, and was able to start the bottom of the second in left field.

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper is hitting fifth Monday against the Mets.

Manager Matt Williams hinted at Harper's spot in the lineup during spring training, and followed through Monday. While there's an argument Harper should hit higher in the lineup, he'll start things off in the middle of the order. Harper will take on Dillon Gee Monday.

As expected, the Phillies placed pitchers Mike Adams, Ethan Martin, Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez, and outfielder Darin Ruf and second baseman Freddy Galvis on the 15-day  disabled list on Thursday, ESPN reports.

Marlins outfielder Marcell Ozuna is the front-runner for the center field job, according to MLB.com.

Ozuna has hit just .180 over 50 at-bats this spring. He's showing improvement recently, and appears to have an edge over Jake Marisnick. Marisnick will likely begin the season in Triple-A. Ozuna hit .265 in 275 at-bats last year.

Marlins infielder Derek Dietrich (head) and outfielder Marcell Ozuna (leg) both returned to action during Tuesday's spring game against the Cardinals. Dietrich went 1 for 4 with an RBI, while Ozuna went 1 for 4 with a double and RBI.

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper's top priority in 2014 is to raise his on-base percentage, according to The Washington Post. 

Last year, 37.3 percent of the pitches Harper saw were in the strike zone. Among hitters with at least 450 plate appearances, only Pablo Sandoval received strikes with less frequency. Harper walked in 12.3 percent of his plate appearances last season, which would have ranked sixth in the National League if he qualified with enough plate appearances. He also posted a .368 on-base percentage, which would have ranked 13th. 

"I’m excited to just have good [at-bats] and drive my walks and get my on-base percentage through the roof," Harper said. "I just really want to get my on-base percentage up. I want to get on base every single time I get up there. Whether it’s a walk or a base hit, I really don’t care how I want to get on base. I just want to be on."

Injured Marlins players Derek Dietrich (nose), Greg Dobbs (quadriceps) and Marcell Ozuna (leg) are all progressing, per MLB.com.

Dietrich and Dobbs will both play the field during a minor-league game Monday. Ozuna, who left Sunday's game with a leg cramp, is feeling better and will do some baseball activities Monday. He could be back in the spring lineup Tuesday.

Marlins outfielder Marcell Ozuna was removed from Sunday's spring game against the Tigers due to a left leg cramp, per MLB.com. He is listed as day to day.

Dodgers first baseman Adrian Gonzalez is batting cleanup in the team's starting lineup for Saturday's season opener against the Diamondbacks in Australia.

Gonzalez was scratched from Thursday's exhibition with back tightness but was fully expected to be in the lineup for the opener. The Dodgers full batting order: RF Yasiel Puig, 2B Justin Turner, SS Hanley Ramirez, 1B Gonzalez, LF Scott Van Slyke, 3B Juan Uribe, CF Andre Ethier, C A.J. Ellis, P Clayton Kershaw.