MLB Player News

The Rockies were using Blackmon in the third spot in the order this spring, while experimenting with David Dahl in the leadoff spot, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Manager Bud Black wants to get Blackmon into a better 'run-producing' - i.e. RBI-producing - spot in the order. He's already running less often as it is, so this move will only likely give him fewer runs while adding RBI.

Collins was optioned to Triple-A Charlotte on Monday, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.

Collins' path to making the Opening Day roster as the backup catcher disappeared once the White Sox signed Yasmani Grandal to start ahead of James McCann. The 25-year-old didn't make much of an impression in 102 plate appearances in his debut last season, striking out 38.2 percent of the time while hitting .186/.307/.349 and earning poor marks for his defensive work behind the plate. It may take an injury or a trade for him to fill a notable role in the majors this season.

Ohtani will not be shut down from throwing in spite of the suspension of spring training and delay of the regular season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

General manager Billy Eppler noted Friday that Ohtani, as well as the remainder of the Angels' pitching staff, will continue throwing during Major League Baseball's hiatus. That keeps the righthander's timeline to return to game action set at mid-May. Depending on when the regular season commences, Ohtani could end up pitching for a significantly larger portion of the season than originally planned.

Ohtani will serve exclusively as a designated hitter early in the regular season and will pitch once a week when he returns to the rotation in mid-May, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

The current plan will have Ohtani pitching on the same day each week, as he did during his rookie campaign when he took the mound exclusively on Sundays. Bollinger suggests that Wednesday could be Ohtani's target day this season to take advantage of numerous Thursday off-days in the Angels' schedule. Of course, that outlook may change depending on how the calendar is adjusted following Thursday's announcement of a delay to the start of the regular season.

Pederson (hip/side) has not resumed throwing to bases from the field, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

While Pederson has logged at-bats in a minor-league game, his inability to make throws from the outfield has prevented the slugger from making a full return. According to manager Dave Roberts, the defensive limitation "has been more of a hurdle than the swing" in Pederson's recovery from the hip/side soreness that has hampered him since the start of the spring training. Nonetheless, the Dodgers are optimistic that Pederson will be ready for the now-delayed start of the regular season.

Manager Dave Roberts said Pederson (hip/side) could return to Cactus League games next week, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

Pederson has been held out of Cactus League games to this point by hip and side injuries, but he's progressed to appearing in minor-league games this week. Roberts continues to believe the 27-year-old will be ready in time for Opening Day, and a return to spring games next week would keep him on that track.

Buxton will work out Thursday but not hit, and then face live pitching again on Friday, La Velle E. Neal of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. He reported normal soreness in his surgically-repaired shoulder after he took his first live batting practice session of the spring Tuesday.

Buxton could play in a game as soon as next week, as he's been cleared for all baseball activities. If he doesn't have a setback, it looks like he could be ready for Opening Day in his return from surgery for a torn labrum.

Turner (personal) will bat third and play third base Wednesday against the Brewers.

Turner had been away from the team for a few days to watch his wife run in the Los Angeles Marathon. WIth over two weeks left until Opening Day, his preparation for the upcoming season shouldn't be significantly impacted.

Stanton (calf) completed a live batting practice session Wednesday, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

While the on-field activity amounts to a step forward for Stanton, the real test for his strained right calf will likely come Thursday, when he's expected to resume running outside. The 30-year-old slugger had been working out on an anti-gravity treadmill in recent days, so he'll now see if he can run the bases and cut in the outfield without issue. Stanton remains unlikely to be ready to go for Opening Day, but he may be tracking toward only a brief stint on the injured list.

Miller, who returned to Grapefruit League action from a back injury against the Red Sox on Tuesday, appears to have the inside track to the utility role due to the recent release of Yairo Munoz, Zachary Silver of MLB.com reports.

Miller is a veteran who's capable of playing up to a wide range of positions, so if it comes down to him and the promising but unproven Edmundo Sosa, the former could have the upper hand. Manager Mike Shildt commented Tuesday that in addition to seeing time at second base, third base and left field -- all positions Miller filled with the Indians and Phillies in 2019 -- the 30-year-old could also play shortstop on occasion this coming season if he nabs a roster spot.