MLB Player News

Winker isn't in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Pirates, Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic reports.

Winker was slated to sit out Saturday prior to the game raining out, but the Reds maintained a similar lineup Sunday. Winker is still expected to draw the majority of starts alongside Scott Schebler and Yasiel Puig, though it is a bit surprising to see him out of the lineup against right-handed starter Trevor Williams.

Pederson went 3-for-3 with a leadoff home run, two walks and four runs scored in an 18-5 victory over the Diamondbacks on Saturday.

The Dodgers leadoff hitter is off to a fantastic start with seven runs and seven hits -- including three home runs -- in the first three games. It looks like Pederson could platoon this season, so keep the expectations in check, but the great start already has owners thinking maybe he could reach a career best in at least the runs category, as his career high is 67 in 2015.

Soler went 3-for-3 with two doubles and three RBI as the Royals defeated the White Sox on Saturday.

Serving as the designated hitter, Soler doubled twice to left field and is now 5-for-7 with five RBI. The 27-year-old should continue to regularly serve as the Royals' cleanup hitter.

Reyes will be on the bench Saturday against the Giants.

Reyes started both of the Padres' first two games, going hitless in five at-bats. Hunter Renfroe will start in right field and hit fifth Saturday.

Cabrera does not have a fractured hand according to X-rays taken Saturday.

The veteran appears to have escaped with nothing worse than a bruise after getting hit in the hand by a pitch Saturday. It's unknown whether he'll need to miss a day or two or if he could get back in the lineup as soon as Sunday.

Cabrera was hit by a pitch in his right hand Saturday and was forced to leave the game, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

The severity of the issue should become clear after further tests. Nico Goodrum and John Hicks would cover for him at first base if he's forced to miss an extended period.

Soler will serve as the Royals' designated hitter and cleanup man Saturday against the White Sox.

Soler, who went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI in Thursday's season opener, will make his second straight start at DH. It had been expected that Soler would see most of his action in the corner outfield to begin the season, but manager Ned Yost prefers the defense upgrade Whit Merrifield provides in right, according to Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com. As long as Soler keeps seeing steady at-bats, fantasy managers won't complain how the 26-year-old is deployed. In fact, handling DH duties may prove more beneficial for Soler, who would likely be at less risk of a potential injury.

Miller will start at second base and bat eighth Saturday against the Twins, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

With Jason Kipnis (calf) opening the season on the injured list, Miller has stepped in as the primary option at second base, at least in games in which the Tribe faces right-handed pitching. Miller will stick in the lineup for the second straight game after going 1-for-3 with a pair of strikeouts in Thursday's Opening Day loss.

Carpenter went 2-for-5 with an RBI single, a walk and two runs in a win over the Brewers on Friday.

Carpenter had gone hitless in his season debut Thursday, but he was an effective table setter at the top of the lineup in Friday's victory. The veteran infielder came home on the first of Paul Goldschmidt's three home runs in the first inning, and he later plated Kolten Wong with a timely seventh-inning single. Carpenter expects to see plenty of quality pitches this season with Goldschmidt hitting directly behind him, a notion only further enforced by the latter's explosive performance Friday.

Winker isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Pirates, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

The Reds are opposing a right-handed pitcher (Trevor Williams) in their second game of the season, leaving the lefty-hitting Winker's exclusion from the starting nine somewhat of a surprise. Manager David Bell may just be looking to keep his bench players sharp early in the season, as Matt Kemp draws in for Winker in left field. Winker is still expected to start the overwhelming share of the Reds' games and serve as the team's primary table setter.