MLB Player News

Vargas (foot) took three at-bats as a DH in a minor-league game Wednesday and indicated he felt fine after the session, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Vargas experienced no renewed swelling in his foot and now looks on track to take part in one or both of the big club's final two exhibitions of the spring. The 26-year-old was already losing ground to Byungho Park in their battle for the DH role during spring training, and it doesn't appear as though he'll have enough time to catch up. There's a good chance that Vargas will open the season with Triple-A Rochester.

Vargas (foot) took grounders and is set to start as the DH in a minor-league game Wednesday, Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Vargas has been cruising through rehab from a bruised left foot, a good sign he will be ready for Opening Day. He could find himself behind Byungho Park on the DH depth chart after a mediocre spring performance and will only serve to spell Joe Mauer at first base. Nonetheless, the progress is encouraging and shows Vargas could provide a powerful bat off the bench to begin the season.

Blackmon, who's been out for two days, is dealing with the flu, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Blackmon has been phenomenal throughout the spring. Over 16 games, he's gone 17-for-47 (.362) with three home runs and four doubles. Owners will want to monitor Blackmon's status as Opening Day approaches, as Colorado has yet to present a timeframe for his return.

Dickerson (back) will start the season on the disabled list, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

It was recently announced that Dickerson would miss 3-4 weeks of action, so his upcoming move to the DL doesn't come as a major surprise. Although Dickerson wasn't expected to be an everyday outfielder for the Padres this coming season, his absence will open the door for Travis Jankowski and Jabari Blash to see an increase in usage.

Manager Bruce Bochy has signaled in his Cactus League lineups that he plans to use Belt as his No. 2 hitter to begin the season, Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News reports.

While Belt has yet to emerge as the consistent 20-plus-homer threat the Giants probably envisioned early on during his time in the big leagues, he's been an on-base machine throughout his six seasons with the team. After posting a career-best .394 mark in 2016, Belt's presence in the two hole in front of Hunter Pence, Buster Posey and Brandon Crawford would seemingly help his chances of establishing a new career high in runs, though he could sacrifice some RBI opportunities as a result. Manager Bruce Bochy isn't necessarily married to the idea of using Belt as his No. 2 hitter, so if the team struggles to generate offense early in the season, it's possible that Belt could move into the heart of the order.

Harper went 2-for-4 with two home runs and three RBI in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Mets.

He leads all spring training hitters with eight homers, and Harper is slashing a mammoth .308/.403/.827 in 62 at-bats. It looks like the 24-year-old is gearing up to return to his 2015 MVP form.

McCutchen went 1-for-3 with a two-run homer Monday against the Twins.

He's hitting .263 in 19 Grapefruit League at-bats with one homer and one stolen base. His move to right field from center has gone seamlessly. McCutchen, who is batting third after struggling in the second spot for much of 2016, will look to get off to a good start. He's hit just .212 in 165 April at-bats in 2015 and 2016.

Soler's MRI on Monday revealed he has a Grade 1 oblique strain, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

Soler's MRI confirmed what was reported earlier, so the 25-year-old will sit for the next week before slowly being eased back into baseball activities, ensuring that he will miss some time to start the season. His absence could open up a spot for speedster Terrance Gore to make the team as a reserve outfielder, while Paulo Orlando should see the bulk of the time in right field as Soler's primary replacement.

Vargas (foot) took batting practice Monday, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Vargas is working his way back from a bruised foot, as he shed his crutches Sunday and progressed to taking batting practice Monday. The 26-year-old is just 1-for-15 this spring, so unless Vargas returns to the field soon, he could temporarily lose his Opening Day DH spot to Byungho Park.

Soler is dealing with a strained oblique and could open the season on the 10-day DL, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

Ticketed for a full-time role in right field entering spring training, Soler struggled through much of Cactus League play prior to suffering the injury, batting just .143 with two homers in 49 at-bats. While the Royals haven't indicated that Soler's injury will put him at risk of a long-term absence, the possibility that he'll miss Opening Day could allow speedster Terrance Gore to make the club as a reserve outfielder. Paulo Orlando can be expected to serve as Soler's primary replacement for however long he's sidelined.