MLB Player News

Harper hit two solo home runs, his first of the season, in a 2-for-4 game Sunday against the Reds.

Harper was productive in his first two games, going 2-for-6 with a walk, a run scored and two RBI, but Sunday marked his first explosive performance of 2018. Harper still has yet to prove he can consistently replicate the massive power numbers of his age-22 season of 2015, when he clubbed 42 home runs with a .649 slugging percentage. Sunday's effort serves as a good start in that direction.

Ohtani (1-0) allowed three runs on three hits and a walk with six strikeouts through six innings in a win Sunday over the Athletics.

He was a bit shaky early, as Matt Chapman touched him up for a three-run home run, but Ohtani showed resolve in his major-league debut. He buckled down after the home run to finish with four straight scoreless innings to get the quality start and win, all within 92 pitches. Ohtani drew 18 swinging strikes, including five whiffs on just 11 uses of his nasty split-fingered fastball. If the splitter remains that kind of strikeout tool for Ohtani, the American League should be afraid.

Miller went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk during Sunday's 2-1 loss to Boston.

After an injury-plagued 2017 campaign, Miller's role wasn't a given this spring, and he didn't start Opening Day. However, he's now been in the lineup the past three games and hit fourth against right-handed pitchers the past two. While expecting a rebound to his 30-homer form from 2016 is probably foolish, Miller owns the potential to be a serviceable contributor in deeper settings. Just keep expectations in check.

Martinez started in left field Saturday and went 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored in 3-2 win over the Rays.

Saturday's game was a couple of firsts for Martinez: it was his first time in the field after two games as the designated hitter, and he got his first hit of the season. Manager Alex Cora will utilize Martinez, Hanley Ramirez and Mitch Moreland in a rotation at first base and DH but will also have Martinez hit left field to spell one of the team's outfielders from time to time.

Winker is out of the lineup Sunday against the Nationals.

Winker started the first two games of the year for Cincinnati, one in left and another in right field. He'll take a seat for the series finale, however, giving way to an outfield composed of Adam Duvall (left), Billy Hamilton (center) and Scott Schebler (right).

Turner is heading to extended spring training to continue rehabbing his broken wrist and resume baseball activities, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

Several important tests will follow, but this report seems to indicate Turner is on schedule. The important run producer is expected to resurface with the major-league club sometime in May.

Blackmon went 2-for-4 in Saturday's 2-1 win over the Diamondbacks, accounting for all of the Rockies' offense with two solo home runs.

Someone forgot to tell Blackmon that the new humidor at Chase Field was supposed to suppress homers, as the 31-year-old left the yard three times in three games there to kick off his 2018 season. He could find it a little more difficult to continue his barrage when the Rockies begin a four-game set in Petco Park against the Padres on Monday.

Jimenez suffered a mild strain of his left pectoral muscle, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports. Jimenez will be held out of baseball activities for about a week and work in extended spring training before rejoining Double-A Birmingham.

One of baseball's top prospects will be brought along slowly before starting the minor-league season with the Barons. Jimenez, 21, unleashed a .353/.397/.559 line across 73 plate appearances with Birmingham in 2017 and could reach the majors for more than a September cup of coffee this season if he keeps crushing it on the farm.

Brantley (ankle) is scheduled to play in minor-league games in Arizona on Monday and Tuesday, Ryan Lewis of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

Brantley, who opened the season on the 10-day disabled list, continues to work his way back from October ankle surgery. The Indians will wait to see how he feels following Tuesday's game to determine the next step in his rehab. He's eligible to return from the disabled list April 5, though it's still unclear if he'll be ready to go by then. In the meantime, Tyler Naquin should continue to see starts in the outfield until Brantley is healthy.

Cespedes went 1-for-2 with a solo homer, three walks, and two runs scored Saturday against the Cardinals.

The Cardinals had a very tough time getting Cespedes out Saturday as he reached base four times, including a fifth-inning solo shot which helped chase starter Michael Wacha from the game. Cespedes now has a 1.457 OPS with two runs scored and four RBI through two games. It's a reminder of the kind of numbers he can put up when healthy.