MLB Player News

Winker (lower back) will start in left field and bat second Sunday against the Phillies.

After sitting out the first two games of the weekend with lower-back tightness, Winker looks to be feeling fresh again ahead of the series finale. The Reds will hope that the two days off didn't slow Winker's momentum at the plate; since the All-Star break, the outfielder is slashing an incredible .333/.441/.636 with 20 extra-base hits in 27 games.

McCutchen went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Saturday's 6-1 win over the Reds.

He capped the scoring on the night by taking Sean Doolittle deep in the eighth inning. The homer was McCutchen's 21st of the season and first in four games since coming off the IL, but it actually extended a bit of a power surge that began before his knee became an issue toward the end of July. Over his last 10 games, the 34-year-old has only seven hits in 35 at-bats, but four of them have left the yard.

Winker (back) is expected to return to the lineup Sunday or Monday, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Winker was absent from both Friday and Saturday's games against the Phillies while working through tightness in his lower back. The Reds got good news following an examination Saturday, however, so it looks as though he'll miss at most one more game.

Dickerson will remain on the bench for Saturday's game against the Rockies, Amy Gutierrez of the Giants' official site reports.

Dickerson sits for the second straight game as the Rockies send out another southpaw in Kyle Freeland. Darin Ruf will be the left fielder in his absence.

Belt will sit Saturday against Colorado, Amy Gutierrez of the Giants' official site reports.

Belt has homered four times in seven games since returning from a knee injury. He'll get the day off against lefty Kyle Freeland, with Wilmer Flores starting at first base.

Manager Dave Roberts said Turner (groin) will be available to pinch hit Saturday and should be in Sunday's lineup, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

The Dodgers' skipper added that they'll pinch run for Turner if he reaches base Saturday. This will be the third baseman's fifth consecutive game out of the lineup, but it certainly seems like he'll be starting the series finale Sunday.

Turner (groin) is not in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Mets.

Manager Dave Roberts suggested Friday that Turner would be available to pinch hit in Saturday's contest, but it's unclear if that's the case. The Dodgers must expect the 36-year-old back very soon, as he hasn't started since Sunday and would probably be on the injured list if his absence was likely to last a few more days. Chris Taylor is once again starting at third base.

Pederson is on the bench for Saturday's game against the Nationals.

Although Pederson has a respectable average (.282) against left-handed pitching this season, 12 of his 14 home runs have come against righties and he sits with southpaw Patrick Corbin starting for Washington. Guillermo Heredia is playing center field and batting eighth Saturday.

Winker (back) is not in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Phillies, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

The outfielder is out again after being scratched from Friday's game with lower back tightness, and it's unclear whether he'll be available off the bench Saturday. Aristides Aquino will start in left field and bat seventh.

Turner (groin) will likely be available off the bench for Saturday's game against the Mets, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

While manager Dave Roberts sounded as though Turner would be held out of the starting lineup for a fifth consecutive game Saturday, availability off the bench would still be an improvement on his status since he didn't appear in any of the last four contests. The 36-year-old has been dealing with groin discomfort since last weekend but would likely avoid a trip to the injured list if he's ultimately available Saturday.