MLB Player News

Harper is batting second for Game 1 of the NLDS against the Dodgers, Chase Hughes of CSN Mid-Atlantic reports.

Harper has been a staple in the three- and four-hole all season, but with Daniel Murphy returning to the lineup and tough left-hander Clayton Kershaw toeing the rubber for Los Angeles, manager Dusty Baker decided to mix things up and move the reigning MVP up in the order. This could put Harper in line for more run-scoring opportunities with Jayson Werth and Murphy hitting behind him.

Colon is among the options expected to compete for the Royals' starting job at second base in spring training, the Kansas City Star reports.

The cash-strapped club will look to internal options, leaving Colon, Whit Merrifield, Cheslor Cuthbert, and Raul Mondesi as the other candidates as the offseason begins. Now 27 years old, Colon hit .231/.294/.293 with one home run and 13 RBI in 54 games. Most likely, he'll end up in a utility role if he sticks on the Opening Day roster.

Carpenter went 1-for-2 with a home run, four RBI and two walks during Sunday's 10-4 win over the Pirates.

Carpenter put St. Louis ahead with his sixth-inning three-run homer, propelling his team to a 10-4 victory on the season's final day. The home run was his 21st of the season, and although Carpenter slumped after returning from an oblique injury in early August, he retained his pop with 19 extra-base hits over the season's final two months. Carpenter's overall numbers were excellent, as he finished at .271/.380/.505 -- nearly identical to his 2015 line of .272/.365/.505. When healthy, Carpenter is one of the better hitters in baseball with his combination of on-base skills and power.

Buxton went 2-for-4 with a double and an inside-the-park home run in Sunday's 6-3 win over the White Sox. He also walked, drove in two runs and scored twice.

Buxton laced the first pitch of the game over the head of center fielder Leury Garcia, racing around the bases in 14.05 seconds for the season's fastest inside-the-park home run. Buxton's speed was on display all year in center field, but it did not translate to many stolen bases (10). The 22-year-old is still developing as a hitter, as he finished the season at .225/.284/.430 with a 35.6 percent strikeout rate in 331 plate appearances. Next year, he'll look to build on a strong final month that saw him bat .287/.357/.653 with nine home runs.

Pederson suffered a shoulder injury in Sunday's regular-season finale against the Giants, but it's not expected to impact his availability for the NLDS, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Pederson stayed in the game Sunday, indicating the issue may not be overly serious. Still, this is a situation worth monitoring as the week progresses to ensure he's healthy for Game 1 against the Nationals.

Miller is out of Sunday's lineup against the Rangers, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Richie Shaffer will head to first base while Miller sits out of Sunday's game. Miller's performance has left much to be desired as of late, as he's gone just 2-for-24 (.083) with nine strikeouts over the last seven games.

Cespedes is out of the lineup Sunday against the Phillies, Adam Rubin of ESPN.com reports.

After punching their ticket to the playoffs with Saturday's win, the Mets will rest a few regulars in the season finale. Cespedes hits the bench for the first time since Sept. 5. He didn't have a major role in the playoff-clinching win, going 0-for-5 with a strikeout, but he turned in a tremendous first full season with the Mets. Unless he gets a pinch-hitting opportunity Sunday, he'll finish the campaign with a .280/.354/.530 batting line to go with 31 homers, 86 RBI and 72 runs.

Ozuna is out of the lineup for a second straight game Sunday against the Nationals, Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports reports.

Ozuna is one of many Marlins regulars getting days off at the end of the season. He will yield center field to Christian Yelich for Sunday's season finale, while Xavier Scruggs will enter the lineup in left field and bat sixth for the Marlins.

Stanton is out of the lineup for the team's season finale against the Nationals on Sunday, Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports reports.

Stanton will have sat out each of the Marlins' final three games after returning earlier than expected from a groin issue. There's no indication the injury has resurfaced, but Destin Hood will man right field in his place.

Soler (side) will rejoin the lineup for the regular season finale Sunday against the Reds.

Soler had been sidelined for the past seven games because of the side injury, but he was expected to return to action Sunday. That's indeed the case, as he will man left field, pushing Kris Bryant back to third base and Javier Baez to the bench.