MLB Player News

Torrens has been sidelined with a minor oblique injury this spring, Bill Center of MLB.com reports.

Torrens has only made three plate appearances this spring, but manager Andy Green stated Thursday that the backstop is nearing a return to the field. With Austin Hedges and one of A.J. Ellis or Raffy Lopez set to man catching duties at the big-league level this upcoming season, it seems likely that Torrens will kick off the 2018 campaign in the minors.

Brantley (ankle) was sent home due to illness Friday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Brantley took another step forward in his return from ankle surgery in recent days, as he advanced to agility drills and hitting against live pitching for the first time since undergoing a procedure in mid-October. There seems to be some sort of bug going around the Indians' clubhouse as Danny Salazar was also sent home, but they should both be fully recovered from this ailment within the next couple days.

Jimenez (knee) was a full participant in all activities Thursday, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

With a seemingly clean bill of health, the top prospect hopes to return to game action Saturday. Manager Rick Renteria still considers his return date TBD, but it seems like Jimenez is coming around well nonetheless. He should be 100 percent for the start of the regular season barring any setbacks.

Pederson went 1-for-3 with a run scored in Wednesday's spring training victory over the Angels.

The 2017 season was a lost one for the 25-year-old slugger after he was removed from the starting center field job due to a combination of poor performance (.212/.331/.407 in 323 plate appearances), a concussion and the emergence of Chris Taylor. Pederson enters the 2018 campaign with no guarantees of playing time, and a trio of viable candidates to compete with for the Dodgers' starting left field job. He has struggled through his first 26 spring at-bats (.160/.192/.240), but there is plenty of time for him to turn things around and get back in this race. If Pederson can't edge out any of Matt Kemp, Andrew Toles or Alex Verdugo, then he would find himself in a bench role or back in the minors, two scenarios that would wipe out almost all of his fantasy value.

Jimenez (knee) took batting practice and ran the bases Wednesday, Chris Kuc of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Jimenez has been sidelined since Feb. 26 with a bout of knee tendinitis. He's hoping to get on the field this week, but the White Sox aren't about to rush their top prospect.

Cabrera is 6-for-19 (.316) with five RBI through nine Grapefruit League games.

Cabrera has just one double and no home runs this spring, but the Tigers still have to be happy to see hits falling for the veteran. The 34-year-old batted a career-worst .249 in 2017, which snapped an eight-year streak of hitting at least .300. Cabrera's best years are behind him, but he could still be a decent rebound candidate in 2018 who figures to come at a much lower price tag in fantasy drafts than he did during his prime.

Ford, a Rule 5 pick, could act as the starting first baseman if Ryon Healy (hand) isn't ready by Opening Day, Matt Calkins of The Seattle Times reports.

At this point, Healy is expected to be ready around Opening Day, but Ford certainly offers plenty of intrigue if he can land a few starts. The 25-year-old slugger has just three hits in 19 spring at-bats, but two of them have gone for extra-bases. He does have five strikeouts, but the four walks he's drawn are also encouraging. Dan Vogelbach is also in the mix for the spot. A quick return by Healy could make this a moot point.

Brantley (ankle) will hit against live pitching during Wednesday's workout, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Brantley has continued to ramp up his activity in recent days, advancing to agility drills Tuesday after beginning to start defensive work last weekend. With Opening Day just a little more than three weeks away, we might begin to see some sort of target date come into focus, but manager Terry Francona has been fairly quiet on when he expects Brantley back in game action.

Dickerson was diagnosed Wednesday with a UCL sprain in his left elbow and will consider his options before deciding upon a course of action, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

The next step isn't clear at this point, but there's a chance that Dickerson will avoid having to undergo surgery. The outfielder will likely be sidelined for at least six weeks while recovering from the sprain, and would miss even more time if he happens to go the surgical route. Expect a decision within the next few days. Regardless of how Dickerson chooses to proceed with his rehab, he'll open the season on the disabled list, officially taking him out of consideration for the fourth-outfielder role. Dickerson's injury improves the odds of one of Franchy Cordero, Matt Szczur (oblique) and Travis Jankowski breaking camp with the big club.

Rays manager Kevin Cash said that Miller (toe) will likely be held out of Grapefruit League games until next Tuesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Miller was recently able to partake in a simulated game as a designated hitter after being sidelined since late February with a broken right pinkie toe. According to Topkin, playing through the injury isn't a problem for Miller, but the impact the broken toe has on his stride is a concern for the Rays, given that the 28-year-old has previously dealt with hip issues and is coming off offseason core-muscle surgery. Miller is tentatively slated to serve as the Rays' primary second baseman this season, though he could also split time at first base with the newly acquired C.J. Cron.