MLB Player News

Brantley (shoulder) didn't report any lingering soreness following his Cactus League debut Saturday and is expected back in the lineup Monday, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Brantley is trending towards a return for Opening Day as his rehab from offseason shoulder surgery continues to go exceedingly well.

Buxton (illness) returned to action and went 1-for-3 with a double in Sunday's spring training loss to the Yankees. He's hitting just .217 (5-for-23) this spring.

Despite some struggles at the plate this spring and missing a few days to an illness, all signs still point toward Buxton beginning the season as Minnesota's starting center fielder. There has been little talk of any other candidate taking over the starting center field job.

Brantley (shoulder) went 1-for-3 with a home run in his major league spring training debut in Saturday's win over the Cubs. He also had an outfield assist. "They told me I was going to be ready when I told them I was ready," Brantley told MLB.com.

Brantley had played in a minor league spring game Thursday. He's said his goal is to be ready for Opening Day. He underwent labral surgery on his right (non-throwing) shoulder on Nov. 9, and initially it was thought he may miss a month or so of the regular season. It increasingly looks like he'll be ready for Opening Day, but we'll need to see how his shoulder responds to playing spring games.

Belt was scratched from Saturday's lineup but is not dealing with any kind of ailment, Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

The team said Belt's OK and the 27-year-old later confirmed that he's healthy, saying there is "absolutely nothing wrong" with him. Belt is fully expected to return to the lineup for Sunday's exhibition. He has walked more times than he has struck out so far in Cactus League play, but Belt is still looking for his first homer of the spring.

Miller went 1-for-3 with a solo homer in Friday's 5-1 spring victory over the Red Sox.

The four-year pro continued his strong spring by leaving the yard for the first time in the exhibition slate, launching a fifth-inning Sean O'Sullivan offering into center field. Acquired from the Mariners in a November six-player trade, Miller is expected to enter 2016 as the Rays' regular shortstop, although he'll have to demonstrate a much sharper glove than he did in Seattle last season to retain the job. Miller is hitting .364 with a home run and four RBI over 22 at-bats this spring.

Although Colon is hitting just .080 (2-for-25) in 11 spring training games, he's still in competition with Omar Infante for the starting second base job, MLB.com reports.

Infante is hitting .313 (5-for-16) in six games and looks healthy after surgery in November to shave a bone spur in his right elbow. Colon would appear to be a long shot to win the starting job as a result, but should make the team as a reserve infielder.

Brantley (shoulder) will make his spring debut Saturday, Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

The 28-year-old grounded out in a pair of at-bats on the minor league side Thursday, but the team saw enough to feel comfortable inserting Brantley into the major league lineup. Brantley will be in left field Saturday and it looks like he still has a shot at Opening Day, though he will be cutting it very close with just over two weeks left in spring training.

Winker was reassigned to minor league camp Friday.

While a hip flexor strain cost Winker several days recently, he was a long shot to make the roster to begin with. The 22-year-old Winker should force his way up this summer, but the Reds appeared to have narrowed down the candidates for the Opening Day left fielder job to Adam Duvall and Scott Schebler.

Buxton returned to baseball activity Friday after dealing with an illness, Mike Berardino of the Pioneer Press reports.

Buxton missed a couple of days with an illness, but it was never considered serious, and he made his return to the practice field Friday. Expect Buxton to return to game action within the next handful of days.

Harper drew a walk in all three of his plate appearances Thursday, scoring two runs and stealing his second base of the spring.

He hasn't yet flashed his impressive power in Grapefruit League action as he's still looking for his first spring home run, but Harper's willingness to run bodes well for his chances of becoming a contributor in that category again in 2016. The Nationals added Davey Lopes as their new first base coach in the offseason, who has a reputation for being something of a baserunning guru, and the Nats as a team are now 24-for-26 on stolen base attempts this spring. If Harper buys into Lopes' teachings, he could top his previous career high of 18 steals set back in his rookie campaign in 2012.