MLB Player News

McCutchen was scratched from Friday's lineup as a precaution due to tightness in his quadriceps, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

Again, the scratch is more precautionary than due to a significant ailment, so this is likely only a short-term concern. The Pirates have split squad games on Saturday, so he could return then.

Brantley (shoulder) is unlikely to be ready for Opening Day, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Brantley appeared on track to be ready for Opening Day, but his progress has slowed and that seems doubtful. Cleveland has already been floating a plan to limit Brantley to minor league games so he can be placed on the DL retroactively, so he might not have to miss to much time to start the season. In his absence, several outfielders could see time at left field, including Rajai Davis, Joey Butler, and Marlon Byrd.

Belt had a huge day at the plate Wednesday, going 3-for-3 with a double, two homers and three RBI against the Diamondbacks.

Even more impressive than his stat line was the fact that Belt collected all three hits against left-handed pitchers. His numbers against southpaws last season (.264/.345/.457) weren't far off from his marks against righties (.287/.360/.485), but manager Bruce Bochy will likely still bench Belt against some lefties and slide Buster Posey over to first base, slightly cutting into the former's plate appearances. Belt is still considered a mid-tier first baseman heading into the season.

McCutchen hit his fifth spring homer in seven games Wednesday against Baltimore.

McCutchen appears to be taking a liking to batting second in the lineup. Either that, or his knee is healthier than it was at this time last year. Whatever the case, all systems appear to be go for the 29-year-old. McCutchen has only scored 100 runs in a season once and has never batted in 100 runs; that could change with the 20 or 30 extra at-bats he could see while batting second.

Brantley (shoulder) will be given a few days off from game action after experiencing some problems bouncing back from a pair of games over the last few days, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Brantley made his Cactus League debut Saturday and saw action again Monday and the Indians are simply going to give him some time off to let some residual side effects clear up.

Goins sat out of Wednesday's game due to illness, Gregor Chisholm of MLB.com reports.

Goins is battling a case of the flu, which will likely keep him out of the lineup for a couple of days while he recovers. The versatile utility man is expected to serve as the Blue Jays' every day second basemen for the first part of the season while Devon Travis recovers from shoulder surgery. Look for Goins to get back in the lineup within the next few days and begin the year batting in the bottom third of the Blue Jays' order.

Ozuna (ankle) was scratched from Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals, MLB.com reports.

Ozuna departed from Tuesday's game after just three innings when he injured his ankle on an awkward slide. Ozuna was 2-for-2 in the game prior to departing and has put together a strong spring so far, slashing .379/.406/.724 in 29 at-bats. Expect him back in the lineup in the coming days.

Blackmon is slashing .242/.419/.455 with two home runs this spring.

The left-hander has been getting on base at a very nice clip this spring thanks to nine walks, and the fact that three of his eight hits this spring have gone for extra bases helped boost his slugging percentage to a healthy size. If Blackmon can produce this kind of slash line at the top of the Rockies lineup this season, he'll continue to be a valuable fantasy asset with a rare combination of power and speed.

Pederson went 0-for-3 against the Royals on Tuesday, but he's still hitting .324 this spring and is set to be the everyday center fielder.

The average looks nice, but Pederson has struck out 16 times and walked just twice in 37 at-bats. He's likely to hit in the bottom third of the order initially.

Cespedes went 1-for-3 with a single in Sunday's exhibition, extending his spring hit streak to nine games.

He has just one extra-base hit over that nine-game span (a double), but Cespedes is hitting with consistency, and what's really important at this stage is his health. Cespedes was hit on the wrist by pitch Thursday, but there were no noticeable ill effects after a couple days off, and he's in the lineup in center field and batting third again Tuesday.