MLB Player News

Goins went 1-for-3 and recorded his 10th RBI of the spring in the Jays' game against the Rays on Sunday.

He was sidelined by an illness last week, but Goins appears to be healthy again. With Devon Travis still recovering from shoulder surgery, Goins is expected to handle the bulk of the starts at second base for Toronto to begin the season.

Manager Terry Francona confirmed Sunday that Brantley (shoulder) won't begin the season as the Indians' left fielder, Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Brantley appears poised to avoid a DL stint once Opening Day arrives on April 4, as Francona said that the outfielder will travel with the team. In the short term, though, Brantley has been shut down to give his shoulder a rest, with his last appearance taking place on Monday, March 21. If he indeed misses the first game of the season, Rajai Davis is the leading candidate to start in left field.

Cespedes (shoulder) is back in the lineup for Sunday's Grapefruit League against the Nationals, Adam Rubin of ESPN.com reports.

Manager Terry Collins previously said that Cespedes was dealing with "a little twinge" in his right shoulder that prevented him from playing the last two days, but the injury was never viewed as anything serious. He should get at least a couple at-bats in Sunday and is slated to enter the regular season at full health.

Cespedes (hip), who sat out Friday's and Saturday's games due to a twinge in his right shoulder, is expected to play Sunday, SNY.TV reports.

Cespedes felt the twinge in his shoulder making a throw Thursday. Tests revealed no damage, enabling him to return to the lineup Sunday.

McCutchen (quad) will bat second and play center field Saturday against Tampa Bay, Bill Brink of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

The outfielder missed Friday's game and the two-hour bus ride to Fort Myers, but will play against the Rays on Saturday. Manager Clint Hurdle continues to bat McCutchen second in the lineup, an indication that the team's best hitter will likely hit in the spot to start the regular season.

Brantley (shoulder) will likely start the season on the disabled list, Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Manager Terry Francona said Saturday that Brantley will be sidelined for the remainder of spring training due to his shoulder injury. Brantley has been ahead of schedule in his rehab from offseason shoulder surgery, but it's becoming increasingly clear that he won't quite be ready when the Indians open their season. Rajai Davis is the likely candidate to start in left field on Opening Day.

Buxton is certain to begin the season as Minnesota's starting center fielder with Darin Mastroianni and Carlos Quentin sent to the minors and Ryan Sweeney's release, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Buxton is hitting just .243 with 12 strikeouts and just three walks this spring. However, the Twins are looking past his spring numbers given that he'll offer outstanding defense in center field and since he's the top prospect in the organization. He'll likely begin the season hitting ninth in the batting order, but could move to the leadoff spot quickly if he's successful at the plate.

Ozuna (ankle) returned to the Marlins' Grapefruit League lineup Thursday, registering a single and a walk in three plate appearances.

He sustained a minor ankle injury Tuesday but the slugger appears to be fully healthy as he's in the lineup once again on Friday. Ozuna has been crushing the ball during exhibition play, slashing .387/.429/.710 over 31 at-bats. He's locked in as the Marlins' two-hole hitter heading into the season and is primed for a resurgence on the stat sheet from a disappointing 2016.

Cespedes (hip) was scratched from Friday's lineup because he felt something in his right shoulder making a throw Thursday though the injury isn't believed to be serious, Adam Rubin of ESPN New York reports.

Anytime you hear an outfielder felt something in his shoulder from making a throw, yellow flags go up. Cespedes won't play Saturday and has about a week to heal before Opening Day. Juan Lagares got the start Friday and if Cespedes is unable to throw immediately, he could be the designated hitter the first two games of the season with New York facing the Royals in Kansas City.

Cespedes did not play in Friday's spring game due to a sore right shoulder, Adam Rubin of ESPN New York reports.

Cespedes will get another day to rest Saturday, but his setback is not considered serious, so he should be able to return to action at some point in the next few days.