MLB Player News

Buxton was scratched from Wednesday's lineup due to illness, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

This shouldn't have an impact on his fantasy value as long as it doesn't develop into something more serious. Buxton is hitting just .200/.261/.300 through eight games this spring, but he is slotted to be the starting center fielder come Opening Day.

Brantley (shoulder) will play in a minor league spring game Thursday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Brantley is expected to play four or five innings in the outfield and get "a few" at-bats Thursday in what will be his first game action since November shoulder surgery. While the outfielder is ahead of schedule, he remains without a timetable to make his Cactus League debut.

Cespedes skipped Tuesday's spring training game with hip stiffness, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Manager Terry Collins was quick to downplay the situation, indicating the injury was nothing concerning. It sounds as though Cespedes will be able to return to to game action without missing much time, but it could be a situation worth monitoring if the stiffness persists.

Brantley's (shoulder) first game action figures to come in a minor league game later this month, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

The Indians medical staff still hasn't cleared Brantley for game action and his presence in a minor league won't necessarily put him on track to open the season with the Indians. We'll have a better idea of an eventual return date if he's able to participate in an exhibition game before spring wraps up.

Turner (knee) went 1-for-1 with a double, a walk, two runs and a RBI in Monday's game against the Brewers.

He said after Monday's game that as long as he feels good Tuesday, the plan is to play in games Wednesday and Friday of this week. His spring debut couldn't have gone any better, and it sounds like he is on track to be ready for Opening Day. We will update his status if there is a change in his availability later this week.

Vogelbach was optioned to Triple-A Iowa on Monday, the Chicago Sun-Times' Gordon Wittenmyer reports.

While he is on the 40-man roster, Vogelbach was never going to make the big league roster out of camp, as he profiles as a designated hitter and therefore would simply be a pinch hitter in the majors on a National League roster. Vogelbach slashed .214/.353/.500 with a home run and a double in 14 spring at-bats. He is pretty obvious trade bait, considering he belongs in the American League, but if he is still on the roster when the Cubs have a prolonged interleague stretch in late July and early August, Vogelbach could be called up to make his big league debut as the team's DH.

The Pirates reassigned Ramirez to Double-A Altoona on Monday, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.

The outfielder, who went 11-for-19 in Grapefruit League action, has never played above the High-A level. He's already left the Pirates' campus to help his home country of Columbia qualify for the World Baseball Classic. Ramirez likely boosted his stock as much as any position player this spring, though the organization already features one of the best outfield trios in the major leagues.

Turner (knee) will make his Cactus League debut at third base Monday, Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register reports.

It's encouraging that Turner is making his debut in the field, as a full performance Monday would signal he's ready for Opening Day. It has been a long road to recovery for Turner, who received the surgery last fall, but he should be good to go, barring any setbacks.

Stanton (knee) is serving as the Marlins' DH for their Grapefruit League game Sunday against the Mets, Craig Davis of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

The Marlins had shelved Stanton due to a sore knee over the past few days, but after upping his activity of late, it looks like he's back at close to full strength. He'll be eased back into action by only hitting in Sunday's game, but look for him to return to his usual duties in the outfield before long.

Vargas is hitting just 1-for-17 in eight games this spring. He doesn't appear to be in Minnesota's plans for the major league roster, LaVelle Neal of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Vargas began last season as Minnesota's starting DH after hitting .274/.316/.456 with nine home runs in 53 games in his major league debut in 2015. He struggled in his second season with a .642 OPS and just five home runs in 47 games before being demoted to the minors in early July. He then hit 13 home runs with a .910 OPS between Double-A and Triple-A. However, the Twins signed Byung-ho Park in the offseason which pushes Vargas farther down the depth chart.