MLB Player News

Harper has been bumped up to the leadoff spot Tuesday against the Pirates.

It's the first time Harper has hit anywhere other than third this season and the first time he's led off since 2013. Harper is certainly an unconventional leadoff hitter given his immense power, but his .458 on-base percentage is excellent for a table-setter. If Harper starts leading off on a regular basis, he'd trade RBI for runs, a largely neutral move for fantasy purposes, though his total number of plate appearances would increase, giving him more chances to hit home runs.

Cespedes (thumb) is on track to play Tuesday against the Braves, Matt Ehalt of The Bergen Record reports.

Cespedes' thumb injury wasn't considered particularly serious, but he was expected to miss at least a few games. He may not end up missing a single one, though, as the issue appears to be even less serious than the Mets originally thought. His thumb became sore Saturday after he slid into third base and was removed from the game, but the Mets' off day Monday may end up being the only rest he needed.

Vogelbach is 4-for-17 with a double, two home runs, two RBI, three walks and three runs over 20 plate appearances since being demoted to Triple-A Tacoma last Wednesday.

The burly infielder began the season with the Mariners, but he headed down to the Rainiers once Ryon Healy returned from a disabled list stint due to an ankle injury. Vogelbach scuffled again during his latest big-league stop, slashing just .204/.317/.352 over 63 plate appearances prior to his demotion. He could certainly thrive against Triple-A arms in similar fashion to a 2017 minor-league campaign during which he hit .290 with 42 extra-base hits (25 doubles and 17 home runs) and 83 RBI over 125 games.

Miller went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in a win over the Tigers on Monday.

Miller squared up for his second home run of the season in the ninth, following a go-ahead two-run blast by C.J. Cron earlier in the frame. The 28-year-old infielder has progressively climbed his way out of his early-season doldrums since returning from a nine-game absence due to a groin injury, hitting safely in seven of nine contests, including six straight.

Turner (wrist) hit off a tee Monday, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Turner has continued making progress recovering from the broken wrist that he suffered during spring training. The team indicated that if he continues improving as he has been, it's not out of question for him to return by mid-May, although a more definitive timeframe should come into focus when Turner begins a rehab assignment.

Cabrera (biceps) is not in the lineup Monday against the Rays, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Cabrera left Sunday's game against the Orioles with biceps spasms. His condition was reportedly improving later in the day, but he'll still miss at least one game. John Hicks will start at first base in his place.

Brantley is not in the lineup for Monday's game against the Rangers, Ryan Lewis of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

Brantley will head to the bench for a breather after starting each of the previous five games, going 8-for-19 with a homer and two RBI over that stretch. Rajai Davis will hit seventh and start in left field in his stead.

Pederson came off the bench and went 1-for-1 with an RBI and a stolen base in Sunday's loss to the Giants.

Pederson entered the contest once the left-handed Ty Blach was removed from the game. Yasiel Puig (ankle) was placed on the 10-day disabled list Sunday, so Pederson could see an increase in playing time against right-handed starters. Alex Verdugo was called up this weekend, which could provide a roadblock to regular starts for the slugging outfielder. Monday's starting lineup should shed light on which of the two left-handed bats will receive the short boost in value, with the Diamondbacks slated to start three righties in the first three games of their upcoming four-game set with the Dodgers.

Buxton (toe) was able to do some light running in the outfield Sunday, Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

The Twins allowed Buxton to perform the activity in order to gauge his level of pain tolerance for the hairline fracture in his left toe, an injury team doctors didn't believe would be worsened by light running. Manager Paul Molitor indicated that Buxton would go through some other drills over the next couple of days in order for the Twins to have a better idea regarding a potential return date for the outfielder before the team begins its four-game series in Chicago against the White Sox on Thursday. Until Buxton is cleared to return, Max Kepler looks on track to serve as the Twins' primary center fielder.

Ohtani (ankle) will likely serve as the Angels' designated hitter Tuesday against the Orioles and will make his next pitching start during the series against the Mariners from May 4 to May 6, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Ohtani's injured ankle is reportedly progressing well, but the Angels will not rush him back to the mound before he is fully ready. Manager Mike Scioscia expects him to be in the lineup for Tuesday's series opener against the Orioles, but he'll have his scheduled start pushed back at least three days into the team's three-game weekend series in Seattle. Nick Tropeano will now pitch Tuesday with Andrew Heaney being moved up to Wednesday.