MLB Player News

Colon started at second base and went 1-for-3 with a walk in Sunday's win over Minnesota.

It was Colon's first start and first game of the season. He'll get occasional starts at second base behind Omar Infante.

Harper went 2-for-3 Sunday with a walk, two doubles, a run scored and an RBI.

The doubles were the 99th and 100th of his short career, and Harper now boasts a ridiculous .385/.556/1.000 slash line through his first 13 at-bats. Assuming the weather in DC cooperates, he may not slow down when the Nats host the rebuilding Braves for a four-game series beginning Monday.

Carpenter went 1-for-4 Sunday with two runs scored and a three-run shot, his first home run of the season.

After a slow start to the season, Carpenter took advantage of the weak Braves pitching staff and collected four hits, four RBI and three runs scored in three games at Turner Field. He'll try to keep his momentum going when the Cards host the Brewers for a three-game series beginning Monday.

Cespedes went 2-for-4 in Sunday's loss to the Phillies with a two-run shot, his first homer of the season.

He'd been off to a slow start, striking out seven times in his first 16 at-bats, but it was only a matter of time before Cespedes began finding his swing. He'll look to build on this performance when the Mets host the Marlins for a three-game set beginning Monday.

Goins went 2-for-2 with a walk and a double in Sunday's win over the Red Sox.

He's never going to supply much power, but Goins has made effective contact through the early part of the season, putting up a .286/.318/.333 slash line in 21 at-bats. He should have a lock on the Jays' starting second base job until Devon Travis (shoulder) is healthy, but don't expect too much production from him.

Branley (shoulder) continues to make progress in his workouts but there still is no firm timetable for the start of his rehab assignment, MLB.com reports. "He's feeling really good, so that's good. There's nothing to announce [about his game schedule]. We'll let the trainers talk to him and see what the next move is," manager Terry Francona said.

He's most certainly out for the upcoming week and likely won't return until the end of April as he works his way back from shoulder surgery.

Cespedes went 0-fo-4 with three strikeouts Saturday and started to hear boo-birds at Citi Field.

Following a hot spring, Cespedes has struggled to open the season. He is just 2-for-16 with seven strikeouts and has not yet driven in a run this year. Cespedes hot spring is but a memory, as he continues to swing at fastballs out of the zone. In addition, he showed his disdain for playing in cold weather, saying after the game, "This is not a time to be playing baseball. This is a time to be home asleep."

Blackmon is out of the lineup Saturday against the Padres, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Blackmon will sit for the second time in three games with lefty Drew Pomeranz on the hill for the Padres. Brandon Barnes will get the nod in center field and bat eighth in Blackmon's stead.

Buxton is out of the lineup for Saturday's game against the Royals.

The Twins will be lefty-heavy Saturday against righty Ian Kennedy, who is making his season debut after having his first start pushed back due to hamstring tightness. Buxton is always an option to come in as a pinch runner if the situation calls for it, but he shouldn't be counted upon in fantasy lineups Saturday. The switch-hitting Danny Santana will take Buxton's post in center field.

Pederson is out of the lineup for Saturday's game against the Giants.

With Madison Bumgarner on the hill for the Giants, the Dodgers are rolling out a primarily right-handed lineup for Saturday's contest. Pederson is 2-for-8 lifetime against Bumgarner and a career .203 hitter against lefties. Trayce Thompson will take over in center field Saturday.