MLB Player News

Dickerson (back) will make his spring debut Saturday against the Brewers, MLB.com's Bill Center reports.

Dickerson is a little behind most of his teammates, as a back injury has kept him out of action to this point, but he will get the start at DH and hit cleanup Saturday. He is fourth on the Padres' outfield depth chart, but a big spring could change that. It is possible that Dickerson is just a Quadruple-A bat, as he has been old for his level and has taken advantage of hitter-friendly conditions in the upper levels of the minors, but in NL-only formats he is worth a gamble.

Cespedes hit his fourth home run of the spring, a solo shot, in Friday's split-squad game against the Astros.

His absurd numbers this spring include a .500 batting average, a 1.091 slugging percentage, and zero strikeouts in 22 at-bats. The Mets are counting on Cespedes to anchor a lineup that will get them back to the postseason, and he seems intent on hitting the ground running come Opening Day.

Harper hit a solo home run in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals, his fourth long ball in 21 spring at-bats.

Last season ended up being a big disappointment for Harper due to neck and shoulder issues, making it easy to forget he clubbed nine homers in April with a 1.120 OPS before the injuries took the sting out of his batting stroke. If the 24-year-old can stay healthy in 2017, he has as much fantasy upside as any player in the league.

Reed started at first base and went 1-for-3 with his third home run of the spring in Friday's game against the Mets.

Reed is having himself a nice spring, similar to last year, when he was the subject of chatter among fantasy owners preparing for drafts and auctions. The left-handed hitter went on to post a .164 average in 122 at-bats at the major league level in 2016. He's in a different situation this spring, as the Astros have a projected starter at first base in Yulieski Gurriel and DH will be shared by Carlos Beltran and Evan Gattis. The 23-year-old Reed will likely start the season at Triple-A Fresno, but he's put himself back on the radar after last season's poor first impression.

Turner is batting third and playing third base in Friday's Cactus League game against the Rangers.

Turner received a lubricating injection in his knee Wednesday, forcing him to rest for a couple of days. It appears to be a simple procedure designed to improve the long-term health of the joint, so look for Turner to be a full participant going forward.

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.