MLB Player News

Martinez will play left field in Wednesday's game against the Twins, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

This will be Martinez's debut in a spring-training game, but he has participated in two controlled minor-league games. He homered off Rick Porcello on Monday and has five hits, three RBI and four walks in the two simulated sessions. While he'll be playing the field Wednesday, Martinez is expected to get most of his playing time as Boston's designated hitter.

Miller (toe) played as the designated hitter for both teams in a simulated game Tuesday, Bill Chastain of MLB.com reports.

There were no setbacks reported for the infielder, who went 0-for-3 with a sacrifice fly and will be off from all physical activity Wednesday. It remains to be seen if manager Kevin Cash will determine that Miller's participation Tuesday was sufficient from him to return to Grapefruit League action. Miller has been out since Feb. 23.

Manager Andy Green indicated Tuesday that Reyes' wrist injury is still bothering him, Bill Center of MLB.com reports.

Reyes underwent wrist surgery during the offseason and appeared back to full strength after recently returning to spring action. There is no specific timetable for the 22-year-old's return. However, Green did say Reyes is "not going to be out there for a while."

Reed went 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBI in Tuesday's game against the Nationals.

Reed's homered in two straight games, but is hitting just .174 through nine spring games. He continues to battle with J.D. Davis (.455, two HR) and Tyler White (.188) for a temporary roster spot opened up by the absence of Yulieski Gurriel, who will be out until mid-to-late April with a hand injury. None of those three, however, are expected to have a large role. Marwin Gonzalez is the likely fill-in for Gurriel at first base.

Dickerson (elbow) is expected to be out through Opening Day, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Dickerson has been battling an elbow injury all spring and isn't making the expected progress. He continues to be monitored by team doctors and his return timetable is unclear. Dickerson's absence limits the Padres' bench outfielder competition to Franchy Cordero, Matt Szczur and Travis Jankowski, with Hunter Renfroe and Jose Pirela competing for primary duties in left field.

Ozuna is expected to be the Cardinals' cleanup hitter more often than not this season, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Manager Mike Matheny is typically coy about lineup matters during spring training, but he hasn't shied away from utilizing the former Marlin consistently in the cleanup spot this year. Ozuna bashed 37 homers and drove in 124 runs with Miami last season, and if he's going to spend much of his time in the meat of the Cardinals' order, he very well could replicate those numbers.

Brantley (ankle) advanced to agility drills in his running program Tuesday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

This is another positive step in his rehab program, as he just progressed to defensive drills Friday. His return timetable will still be nip and tuck with Opening Day, but it's encouraging to see progress regardless. A firmer timetable for Brantley's return to game action should emerge as he makes more steps forward in his recovery.

Carpenter (back) started a swinging progression Tuesday, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

As anticipated, the Cardinals first baseman advanced in his recovery program from a sore back. This swinging program currently entails simply swinging in a cage, but it also signals that he's relatively close to returning to game action. No word has come forth as to when he could get back into the lineup, but more information should be available as he swings more. Goold did comment that Carpenter needs to get back into games soon so that he'll be ready for Opening Day. If Carpenter misses any regular-season time, look for Jose Martinez to fill in at first base.

Miller (toe) will receive at-bats as a designated hitter during a simulated game Tuesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The simulated game marks Miller's first competitive action since Feb. 23 and likely represents the final hurdle he'll need to clear before returning to the Rays' Grapefruit League lineup. Miller, who is nursing a broken right pinkie toe, still looks primed to open the campaign as the Rays' main second baseman, though there's a good chance he cedes at-bats to Daniel Robertson or Christian Arroyo against lefty pitching.

Reyes is 3-for-11 (.273) with two home runs so far this spring.

Reyes underwent wrist surgery during the offseason, but the operation doesn't appear to be hindering him in any way this spring. The 22-year-old will likely open the season at Triple-A El Paso after batting .258 with 25 homers and 102 RBI at Double-A last season.