MLB Player News

Miller went 1-for-2 with three RBI from a sacrifice fly, a run-scoring groundout and a solo home run in Thursday's 10-8 Grapefruit League loss to the Pirates.

Miller was in desperate need of some success at the plate, as he'd entered Thursday's game mired in a 2-for-17 slump. The homer was the first of the spring for the Rays' second baseman, who's also fanned on five occasions over his 19 at-bats. Factoring in Thursday's production, Miller is slashing .158/.190/.368 over seven games, with one double, Thursday's round-tripper and trio of RBI, one walk and four runs.

Carpenter (back) says he will hit in a batting cage Monday to re-evaluate his injury, Rick Hummel of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Carpenter has already returned to spring game action for defensive purposes, but has not yet been cleared to swing a bat. The veteran infielder says he's trying not to rush the process and remains adamant he'll be ready to go by Opening Day. "I don't feel the need to rush it," he said. "The only time I feel it is swinging, and even then I think I'm pretty close." Carpenter is expected to begin the 2017 season as the Cardinals' primary first baseman.

Carpenter (back) played five innings at first base in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros, MLB.com reports.

He has not yet been cleared to swing a bat but Carpenter wanted to get some time at first base, his new everyday position. The box score will show Carpenter recorded a single in the game, but it was a bunt single to beat the shift -- the Astros shifted their defensive alignment when Carpenter came up, seemingly unaware of his restrictions. Carpenter plans to begin taking swings in the batting cage Monday.

Cespedes went 2-for-3 with a two-run home run, his third blast of the spring, in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Tigers.

He's been on fire at the plate so far this spring, hitting .526 (10-for-19) with a 1.579 OPS. Cespedes set career highs in walks and OPS in 2016, his first full season with the Mets, and with his contract situation no longer a distraction the 31-year-old slugger could take his production to another level in 2017.

Harper went 1-for-3 with a solo home run, his third of the spring, in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Marlins.

He's got six hits so far this spring, and half of them have left the yard. Harper appears to be fully healthy, and ready to pick up where he left off in 2015 and the early part of 2016 before he was slowed by neck and shoulder issues.

Reed is 6-for-19 with two home runs and five RBI through 11 spring games, but is considered a long shot to break camp with Houston, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Reed showed he wasn't quite ready for the majors last season after wowing spring onlookers in 2016. The good swings he's putting on balls in March are encouraging in that the first baseman is rebounding from adversity, but until he's doing it for real in the regular season, Reed's nothing more than a speculative play. Yulieski Gurriel is slated to start the season at first base while the Astros probably don't want to use up a roster spot on a 1B/DH type like Reed -- Marwin Gonzalez and Tyler White are utility guys that can back up at first. That said, given his ceiling, Reed's a left-handed power bat that could be useful.

Carpenter (back) expects to begin taking more swings in the batting cage by Monday with the hope of returning to action the following weekend, Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports.

The infielder is already slated to miss the World Baseball Classic, so now he can focus solely on getting back to 100 percent prior to Opening Day. It seems like the injury is beginning to subside, so as long as the progression on Monday goes without a hitch, Carpenter should be back in action relatively soon.

Pederson went 1-for-3 with a solo homer -- his third of the spring -- in Wednesday's loss to the Brewers.

Pederson's home run puts him in a tie for the most home runs hit in spring training so far. This should come as no surprise when you consider his .847 slugging percentage last season was second among all Dodgers, only trailing their young phenom shortstop, Corey Seager. Pederson hit 25 homers in 137 games as a strict platoon player. This year, manager Dave Roberts said Pederson will get more at-bats against lefties. With more plate appearances, the potential for reaching the 30-homer mark becomes a reality for the 24-year-old.

Brantley (shoulder) feels good Thursday after taking swings Wednesday, and he should participate in a five-inning simulated game Friday, Andre Knott of WTAM 1100 reports.

These are small steps of optimism for the former MVP candidate, though his timetable remains undefined. He recently faced live pitching, though, and if he can work something close to a week of spring games, his regular-season prognosis would improve dramatically. Though caution is recommended, Brantley could help mixed league fantasy drafters in the late rounds and/or as a fifth outfielder.

Dickerson (back) is practicing in full Thursday, and while he's unavailable for game action, he could DH on Saturday if his rehab goes well in the meantime, Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

The outfielder is competing for a starting spot with Hunter Renfroe, Travis Jankowski and fellow injured fly-catcher Manuel Margot (knee). Dickerson has the pop to contribute to deep mixed fantasy owners if he can find consistent at-bats, and the fact he hits left-handed may work in his favor should he show thump over the next few weeks.