MLB Player News

Belt went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run and an additional RBI in a 9-5 victory against the Brewers on Sunday.

Belt began on the bench Sunday with lefty Aaron Ashby on the mound and entered in the second inning once Ashby had departed. The 34-year-old delivered an RBI-single in the second and tacked on two-run homer in the sixth off bulk pitcher Jason Alexander. Belt has been scorching of late -- batting 10-for-20 with two doubles and two homers over his last six games -- and concludes the first half with a .243/.355/.426 line, eight home runs, 22 runs and 19 RBI in 52 games.

Belt is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Brewers, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

He'll be on the bench for the second day in a row with Milwaukee bringing another lefty (Aaron Ashby) to the hill for the series finale. Yermin Mercedes will step in at designated hitter for Belt, who has yet to return to first base since suffering a knee injury earlier this month.

Morel is starting in center field and batting first in Sunday's game against the Mets.

Morel sat in the nightcap of Saturday's doubleheader but will return for the series finale and last game before the All-Star break. The rookie has had a nice first half with an .814 OPS through 54 games, and he's chipped in nine home runs and eight stolen bases.

Ozuna is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Nationals.

Ozuna will hit the bench for the second time in less than a week while he heads into the All-Star break amid a slump at the plate. Over his last eight games, Ozuna went 4-for-29, dropping his season average to .221. Atlanta will give Ronald Acuna a day out of the outfield and deploy him as the designated hitter Sunday in place of Ozuna.

Ruf went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Saturday's 2-1 win over the Brewers.

Ruf opened the scoring in the sixth inning with a blast off Brewers starter Eric Lauer. This was Ruf's second straight game with a homer, and he's up to nine long balls on the year. The 35-year-old has hit safely in nine of 15 games in July, though he hasn't record a multi-hit effort since June 23. He's slashing .227/.336/.376 with 32 RBI, 41 runs scored and two stolen bases through 283 plate appearances. Ruf should continue to work his way into the lineup regularly versus southpaws.

Morel will sit for the second portion of Saturday's doubleheader against the Mets.

Morel went 1-for-4 with a stolen base in the first game, dropping his OPS in his surprising rookie season slightly to .816. David Bote will handle second base in the nightcap.

Pederson isn't starting Saturday's game against Milwaukee.

Pederson will head to the bench after three consecutive starts since left-hander Eric Lauer is on the mound for the Brewers. Yermin Mercedes is starting in left field and batting fifth.

Belt isn't in the lineup Saturday against the Brewers.

Belt started the last three games but will head to the bench with left-hander Eric Lauer on the mound Saturday. Darin Ruf is taking over at first base and batting third.

Canha isn't starting the first game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Cubs.

Canha went 4-for-14 with a solo homer, four walks and six strikeouts over his last four matchups but will take a seat for a second consecutive game. Jeff McNeil is shifting to left field while Luis Guillorme starts at second base.

Ruf went 1-for-2 with a solo home run in Friday's 8-5 win over the Brewers.

Ruf's ninth-inning blast got the Giants within a run. He's mostly been limited to a timeshare role at first base and in the outfield lately, though he's hit safely in eight of 14 games in July. The 35-year-old is up to a .227/.337/.366 slash line with eight homers, 31 RBI, 40 runs scored and two stolen bases through 279 plate appearances. He should continue to play regularly versus left-handed pitchers.