MLB Player News

Blackmon went 2-for-5 with a two-run home run and two additional runs scored in Sunday's 11-10 win over the Mets.

Blackmon went through a 17-game homer drought for much of May, but he's swatted two long balls over his last three contests. He's riding a nine-game hitting streak, batting .343 (12-for-35) with seven extra-base hits in that span. The veteran is up to a .287/.369/.466 slash line with five homers, 23 RBI, 30 runs scored, 13 doubles and two triples through 48 contests, and he remains in a leadoff role versus right-handed pitchers.

Martinez went 2-for-5 with a homer, two RBI and two runs scored in Sunday's 11-10 loss to Tampa Bay.

Martinez has now logged a hit in 12 straight games, going 18-for-53 with five homers in that span. The 35-year-old veteran has had an incredible month of May, batting .313 with six homers. Martinez boosted his slash line to .276/.315/.586 with eight homers and 33 RBI through 165 plate appearances this season.

Vogelbach is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rockies.

Vogelbach finds himself on the bench for a second straight game after he served as the Mets' designated hitter in each of the prior three contests, going 1-for-10 with a walk and a run scored during that stretch. Though the lefty-hitting Vogelbach will remain on the bench versus left-handed pitching, he looks like he'll be part of a timeshare at DH with Mark Vientos against righties for the time being.

Winker was scratched from the lineup for Sunday's game against San Francisco with neck discomfort, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Darin Ruf was a late addition to the lineup in place of Winker, who can be viewed as day-to-day. Even if the injury proves to be minor and Winker is back in the lineup for the start of the Brewers' six-game week Tuesday in Toronto, he's given fantasy managers little reason to justify activating him. He's batting just .204 and has yet to hit a home run or steal a base across 127 plate appearances on the season.

Soler went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run and a walk in Saturday's 8-5 extra-inning win over the Angels.

Soler has homered in five straight games and has eight long balls over his last 12 contests. In that longer span, he's batting .314 (16-for-51) with 15 RBI. The power surge has pushed him to 17 homers this season, good for second in the majors behind Pete Alonso (20). Soler is slashing .259/.335/.575 with 35 RBI, 31 runs scored and 10 doubles through 51 contests -- numbers that would put him on track for his best season since 2019.

McCutchen is not in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Mariners, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

This looks like a routine breather for McCutchen, who has been getting Saturdays off in recent weeks, presumably as part of the Pirates' maintenance plan for the 36-year-old. McCutchen is in the midst of a resurgent year -- he's up to eight homers after Friday's long ball to go with a .269/.364/.462 line -- and the team wants him available for the long haul. Tucupita Marcano will get a turn in the leadoff spot against right-hander Luis Castillo with McCutchen on the bench.

Carpenter will sit Saturday against the Yankees, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Carpenter and Nelson Cruz have been in something close to a strict platoon at designated hitter this season, with Carpenter starting against righties. Right-hander Luis Severino starts for the Yankees on Saturday, but it will be Cruz getting the start nonetheless. Carpenter has looked like he could use a break, as he's gone 0-for-16 with eight strikeouts across his last four games.

Meneses went 3-for-5 with a walk, a double, two runs scored and three RBI in Friday's 12-10 win over the Royals.

The 31-year-old continues to tear it up in May. Over his last 20 games, Meneses is slashing .361/.398/.482 with 12 runs and 18 RBI, although he has only one homer during that stretch and just two on the season. Given his 81st percentile hard-hit rate and shockingly unlucky 4.4 percent HR/FB rate, it seems only a matter of time before Meneses starts sending more balls flying over the fence.

Ozuna went 3-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's 6-4 loss to the Phillies.

He got hold of a Matt Strahm fastball in the eighth inning, giving Atlanta its last gasp of offense on the night. Ozuna has gone yard in three straight games and now has nine homers in 19 May contests, slashing .366/.438/.789 over that stretch with 20 RBI -- an incredible turnaround considering his .085/.194/.203 line at the end of April.

Soler went 1-for-5 with a solo home run in Friday's win over the Angels.

Soler's 16 long balls rank second in the league. The designated hitter/outfielder has already passed his home run total from last season (13) in 22 fewer games played. His power-hitting prowess gives him plenty of value going forward.