MLB Player News

Pirates All-Star center fielder Andrew McCutchen was scratched from Friday's spring lineup against the Orioles due to lower body soreness.

McCutchen, who has made the All-Star team four straight seasons, is off to a slow start this spring. He is batting .167 (2 for 12) with one double, one RBI, one walk and one run in five spring games.

Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said Friday outfielder Yoenis Cespedes is feeling "so-so" after leaving Thursday's spring game due to tightness in his left quad, per MLB.com. Ausmus said Cespedes is penciled into the lineup for a split-squad game Saturday, but he would be surprised if Cespedes plays.

Cespedes, who was acquired in an offseason trade with Boston, is batting .313 (5 for 16) with one double, one home run and five RBI in six spring games. He also has five runs, one walk and one stolen base.

Cespedes is entering the final year of his contract. He is slated to make $10.5 million in 2015.

Tigers head athletic trainer Kevin Rand said Thursday first baseman Miguel Cabrera (ankle) ran sprints Thursday, per MLB.com. Cabrera has also been cleared for lateral movements on grounders.

Tigers outfielder Yoenis Cespedes left Thursday's game with tightness in his left quad, per MLB.com and is day-to-day. 

Cespedes already has missed time due to back soreness this spring, his first with the Tigers after being acquired from the Red Sox in the offseason. 

Marlins center fielder Marcell Ozuna is off to a 1-for-12 start this spring, but manager Mike Redmond isn't worried. "It's too early to get concerned about 10, 12 at-bats," Redmond told the South Florida Sun Sentinel.

Ozuna also struggled mightily last year in spring training, per the paper, but ended up batting .269 with 23 homers and 85 RBI in his first full season in the majors.

Rockies outfielder Charlie Blackmon, who has been slowed by an abdominal injury, will make his spring debut Wednesday against the Mariners, per The Denver Post.

Blackmon indicated that the abdominal strain only hurt when he swung a bat, but that most of the pain is now gone.

Max Scherzer allowed six hits in three innings but the new Nationals' starter gave up just one run in Tuesday's start. 

Scherzer struck out three Marlins, including slugger Giancarlo Stanton. He also got Stanton to ground into a double play. 

Scherzer threw 47 pitches in the outing. He declared himself pleased with the performance and happy that he had the chance to pitch out of the stretch. 

Mariners shortstop Brad Miller blasted two home runs in Monday's 4-3 win over the Indians. So far this spring, Miller is 4 for 6 and gaining confidence at the plate, reports SeattlePI.com.

"I'll take them in singles, doubles, pairs, whatever," said Miller. "It was awesome, especially early. We know we're probably going to get a couple of at-bats, and you just want to make the most of them."

Miller is battling with Chris Taylor to become the team's shortstop when the regular season begins and was given the start Monday. Taylor also played, but at second base, with Robinson Cano away from the team after a death in the family.

Rockies right fielder Charlie Blackmon is still expecting to make his Cactus League debut this week. 

"I'm going to try to get all facets of my game sharp in spring training," Blackmon said, per MLB.com. "I expect to run a little bit — open up the playbook a little."

Blackmon has been dealing with abdominal injury that has kept him from playing thus far. 

A year ago, Blackmon hit .288 with 19 home runs and 72 RBI.

Rockies manager Walt Weiss said that Charlie Blackmon will be able to maek his spring debut within a couple days. 

The outfielder has been sidelined with abdominal tightness. 

Blackmon hit .288 with 19 home runs and 72 RBI last year.