MLB Player News

Buxton will be used at DH "a vast majority of the time" to begin the season, manager Rocco Baldelli told the St. Paul Pioneer Press. Buxton went 1-for-3 with a double while at DH in his major league spring training debut Tuesday.

Buxton had been playing in minor-league games the past week. Buxton underwent arthroscopic knee surgery in late September, and the Twins are being very careful about easing him into action this spring. Buxton hasn't had any issues, but the Twins sound like they are going to take it cautiously with his return into the start of the regular season. Unfortunately, that could mean frequent days off and few stolen-base attempts, though keeping him healthy for a full season would still pay dividends for fantasy owners. Michael Taylor may get more playing time in center field to begin the season as a result.

Ohtani fired a scoreless inning with a strikeout to pick up a save to give Team Japan a 3-2 win over Team USA in Tuesday's World Baseball Classic final.

He also went 1-for-3 with a walk at the plate. Ohtani was named Most Valuable Player for his efforts in the tournament, as he hit .435/.606/.739 through seven games and also registered a 1.86 ERA in a pair of appearances. The strikeout was notable, as he fanned Mike Trout to end the contest and gave Japan their third WBC title in five tournaments. He did walk Jeff McNeil, but then got Mookie Betts to hit into a double play before fanning his Los Angeles teammate. Ohtani, Trout and the rest of the MLB players will now head to their spring training homes to get ready for the season.

Pederson was scratched from the Giants' Cactus League lineup Tuesday due to lower-body tightness, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

It's being called a precautionary measure and probably had a lot to do with the forecast of rain across parts of Arizona. Pederson can safely be considered day-to-day.

Jimenez (calf) is expected to return to the White Sox's Cactus League lineup Wednesday, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Jimenez set off alarm bells when he exited Monday's game with a right calf injury, but it's merely cramps and he's fine now. The slugger is sitting out Tuesday in what was already a scheduled off day, but he'll be back in there in one of the team's split-squad lineups Wednesday.

Buxton is making his Grapefruit League debut for the Twins on Tuesday against the Rays.

The Twins have slow-played Buxton this spring, having him get in most of his work in drills and minor-league games. He's ready to finally play in an official game Tuesday and will be batting leadoff and serving as the designated hitter.

Astros manager Dusty Baker said Tuesday that Brantley (shoulder) isn't expected to be ready in time for Opening Day, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Brantley has been brought along slowly this spring after undergoing right shoulder surgery last August, and he also was away from camp for a spell due to a personal matter. The 35-year-old has since rejoined the Astros, but because he didn't spend much time going through baseball activities while he was away from the team, he appears to have run out of time to get fully ramped up before the opener. It's unclear how much time he might miss, but fantasy managers should plan for a minimum of a couple weeks in the likely event that he's placed on the injured list. With Brantley and Jose Altuve (thumb) out, the top two spots in the Houston lineup have been opened up.

Astros manager Dusty Baker said that Alvarez (hand) will make his Grapefruit League debut Thursday against the Nationals, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Alvarez has been out all spring while dealing with nagging soreness in his left hand, an issue similar to what he experienced in both hands at times during the 2022 season. The Astros seem to be taking extra precaution with Alvarez this spring, but fantasy managers still must have some level of concern about the slugger's ability to hold up all season. Alvarez will have a week to knock the rust off before Opening Day, but all signs point to him avoiding a stint on the injured list.

McCutchen (elbow) will serve as the Pirates' designated hitter and No. 3 batter in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game versus the Phillies.

McCutchen missed a handful of days with right elbow soreness, but it looks like he'll be ready to go with Opening Day just over a week away. It's not clear when he might be ready to play the outfield, but the elbow issue never seemed like a major concern.

Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said Tuesday that Harper (elbow) won't open the season on the 60-day injured list, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports. "We're going to keep our options open," Dombrowski said.

Not placing Harper on the 60-day IL -- at least for the time being -- leaves open the possibility that he could return before the end of May. That would be quite a change in timetable from what the slugger referenced just 12 days ago, when he told the Associated Press that the All-Star break is "the date we kind of solidified." Ultimately, the Phillies could still wind up putting Harper on the 60-day IL if it becomes clear he won't be ready within the first two months of the season. Still, the news at least offers hope that a return much sooner than midseason is possible.

Ramirez has started two games since returning from the World Baseball Classic, and he's gone 2-for-5 with an RBI in that span.

Ramirez played for Colombia in the World Baseball Classic, though he managed only two hits across 16 plate appearances. He's fared better overall with the Rays in spring training, though he has drawn zero walks and zero extra-base hits with five strikeouts across 16 plate appearances. Despite the minimal production, Ramirez remains a prime candidate to see work as the designated hitter in the Rays' lineup come the regular season.