MLB Player News

Turner (hamstring) took grounders Thursday for the first time since landing on the disabled list, J.P. Hoonstra of the Southern California News Group reports.

This is a big milestone in Turner's recovery, but there are a few hurdles he'll need to clear before rejoining the Dodgers. Given the length of his absence, a rehab assignment could be in order for Turner as he makes his way back from a Grade 1 hamstring strain. The Dodgers will continue to use a platoon of Logan Forsythe, Enrique Hernandez, and Chris Taylor at third base while Turner is on the shelf.

Pederson was placed on the 7-day concussion disabled list Thursday, MLB.com's Ken Gurnick reports.

The Dodgers activated Kenta Maeda from the disabled list to take Pederson's spot on the roster while Pederson recovers. Pederson collided with Yasiel Puig at full speed in Tuesday's game against the Cardinals and was held out of the lineup the following day. Chris Taylor figures to see the bulk of the time in center field while Pederson is sidelined, provided that his defense holds up.

Manager Terry Collins said Wednesday that Cespedes (hamstring) would head out on on a rehab assignment "in the next couple days," Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Though Cespedes has been able to take some at-bats at extended spring training since being sidelined April 28 with the strained left hamstring, the Mets want to see how he fares defensively in a less-controlled playing environment before signing off on his return from the disabled list. Cespedes has been gradually increasing his running activity under the watchful eye of trainers in Port St. Lucie, Fla., and it seems likely he'll be able to move on to the next phase of his rehab by the weekend. Once Cespedes is activated, veteran Curtis Granderson could be relegated to a regular bench role, as 24-year-old Michael Conforto has emerged as the Mets' best hitter since Cespedes went down with the injury.

McCutchen is not in the Pirates' Thursday lineup against the Braves, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

The 30-year-old will ride the pine for the second straight game, though he knocked a pinch-hit single Wednesday. McCutchen could return to the lineup Friday, as no reason has been given other than rest. Adam Frazier slides to center field to take his place Thursday.

McCutchen delivered a pinch-hit single in Tuesday's 12-5 win over Atlanta.

He led off the 10th inning with his hit, snapping an 0-for-15 stretch that dropped his batting average to .200. McCutchen would then go on to whiff in his second at-bat. The team hasn't yet revealed whether the outfielder will return to the starting lineup Thursday afternoon.

Goins went 2-for-4 with a grand slam and a double during Wednesday's win over Milwaukee.

Goins is having a nice series against the Brewers, going 4-for-8 with a home run, two doubles and five RBI through two games. His glove should keep him in the mix when Troy Tulowitzki (hamstring) returns from the disabled list, but Goins' .622 OPS doesn't move the fantasy needle.

Vargas went 2-for-4 with two RBI during Wednesday's win over Baltimore.

The slugger collected a pair of doubles in Tuesday's game, so this was a fitting followup. Vargas was struggling at the dish, and he hadn't been receiving consistent playing time, so the mini heater could earn him a few more at-bats in the immediate future. For the season, Vargas boasts a .270/.295/.527 slash line with five home runs, 18 RBI and eight runs through just 21 games.

Pederson (neck) is not in the lineup Wednesday against the Cardinals, Eric Stephen of TrueBlueLA.com reports.

While Pederson said he was feeling better the day after colliding with teammate Yasiel Puig in the outfield, he'll get the day to recoup as Chris Taylor draws his first major league start in center field. Pederson's status should continue to be viewed as truly day-to-day.

McCutchen is out of the lineup Wednesday against the Braves, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

McCutchen's awful season may have hit its nadir over the last three games, during which he's failed to record a hit in 12 at-bats. Either out of loyalty to McCutchen or as a means of building up his trade value, the Pirates probably won't strip the former National League MVP of his everyday role this season, but manager Clint Hurdle hinted that McCutchen wouldn't necessarily reenter the lineup in Thursday's series finale. Hurdle will call upon Danny Ortiz to make the start in center field Wednesday.

Miller (abdomen) took swings, fielded grounders and also did some running Wednesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

It was another step in the right direction for the rehabbing infielder, who'd taken some grounders on Tuesday as well. Despite what appears to be fairly rapid progress, there's been no update on yesterday's report that Miller is unlikely to be reinstated from the disabled list on Friday, the first day he is eligible for return.