MLB Player News

Belt went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and two RBI on Wednesday against the Diamondbacks.

Belt took Zac Gallen yard in the seventh inning to record his seventh homer of the season. Across his last four games, Belt has gone 8-for-11 with two homers, two doubles, three RBI and four runs scored. For the season, he owns a .239/.354/.415 line in 189 plate appearances.

Morel went 1-for-3 with a walk, a triple and a run scored in Wednesday's loss to the Orioles.

Morel scored the Cubs' lone run in the 7-1 defeat. The rookie showcased his speed, recording his fourth triple of the season through 51 games. He's also popped nine home runs and stolen seven bases, so Morel has been able to have a decent fantasy impact during his MLB debut. He did come into the night striking out nearly 32 percent of the time, so some ups and downs should be expected, but Morel has the talent to deliver good stats the rest of the way.

Ruf isn't starting Wednesday's game against the Diamondbacks.

Ruf has started mainly against left-handed pitchers recently and will be out of the lineup for the fifth time in the last 10 games since right-hander Zac Gallen is on the mound for Arizona. Brandon Belt is serving as the designated hitter while LaMonte Wade starts at first base.

Ozuna is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Mets, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

With the top two teams in the National League East closing their series with a day game after a night game, Atlanta manager Brian Snitker decided it was an ideal time to give Ozuna some time off. Adam Duvall will start in left field and Eddie Rosario will serve as Atlanta's designated hitter while Ozuna heads to the bench for the first time since June 19.

Mercedes went 3-for-4 with a home run, a double, a walk, four RBI and three runs scored in Tuesday's 13-0 win over the Diamondbacks.

Mercedes opened the scoring with an RBI double in the first inning. He added a two-run blast in the second and another RBI on a groundout in the eighth. The 29-year-old has produced two multi-hit efforts in nine games since his most recent recall from Triple-A Sacramento. He's now batting .296 with a homer, four RBI, five runs scored and three doubles in 31 plate appearances through his first 11 contests with the Giants.

Blackmon went 2-for-4 with a three-run home run in Tuesday's 5-3 win over the Padres.

Blackmon went deep off Padres starter Mike Clevinger in the sixth inning, and that was enough to earn the Rockies a win. With multiple hits in three straight games, Blackmon is back in a groove at the plate. The 36-year-old is up to a .271/.324/.475 slash line with 14 homers, 50 RBI, 45 runs scored and two stolen bases through 79 contests as he remains a near-everyday fixture in the heart of the order. He's tended to run a bit hot-and-cold at times, but he can be productive at home, where he's hitting .299 this season.

Rooker was optioned to Triple-A El Paso on Tuesday, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Rooker joined the big-league club Friday and will return to the minors after going 0-for-7 with four strikeouts in two appearances. Esteury Ruiz was promoted from El Paso in a corresponding move.

Belt is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game versus the Diamondbacks, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Belt returned from a one-game absence Monday and went 3-for-3 with a double, but he'll return to the bench Tuesday since southpaw Dallas Keuchel is on the mound for Arizona. Darin Ruf will start at first base in his place.

Pederson is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Diamondbacks, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Pederson will take a seat Tuesday for the second time in the past three games with lefty Dallas Keuchel pitching for Arizona. Yermin Mercedes, Austin Slater and Luis Gonzalez will start from left to right in the outfield.

Morel is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Orioles.

Rafael Ortega and David Bote will make starts in center field and at second base, respectively, the two positions that Morel has been moving between of late. With Ortega hitting well in his recent starts, the keystone is likely where Morel will find most of his opportunities going forward, assuming he can break out of his funk at the plate. After a hot start to his big-league career, Morel has fallen back to earth a bit with a .182 average and a 39.5 percent strikeout rate thus far in July. The rookie has been able to salvage some value by homering twice and driving in five runs through his first 10 games this month.