MLB Player News

Pederson was removed from Saturday's game against the Giants in the fifth inning for undisclosed reasons, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Pederson went 0-for-2 with a strikeout before exiting. The reasons for his exit aren't known at this point, but those details figure to come out after the game, if not sooner. Kris Bryant shifted from center field to left field and Rafael Ortega entered the game as the new center fielder.

Belt (oblique) isn't starting Saturday's game against the Cubs, Mark W. Sanchez of KNBR 680 San Francisco reports.

Belt took batting practice Thursday and could return to action for Sunday's series finale, but he'll remain out of the lineup Saturday. LaMonte Wade will start at first base and lead off.

Dickerson went 1-for-1 with a three-run home run and two walks in Friday's win over the Cubs.

Dickerson did all of his damage in the second inning with a three-run shot off Jake Arrieta as part of a six-run inning for the Giants, though he also reached base two more times. He seems to be getting out of a prolonged slump that saw him go 0-for-13 between May 26 and June 1, as he has recorded three hits over his last five at-bats.

Harper (forearm) was reinstated from the 10-day injured list Saturday.

Harper's swelling in his forearm recently decreased, and he'll be now be available to return ahead of Saturday's game against the Nationals. The 28-year-old is slashing .274/.395/.489 with seven home runs, 25 runs and 13 RBI this year, and he'll reclaim his starting role going forward.

Ruf (hamstring) will miss "at least the next three weeks," Mark W. Sanchez of KNBR 680 San Francisco reports.

Ruf was diagnosed with a Grade 2 hamstring strain at the end of May, and the injury has a 3-to-4 week recovery timeline. Manager Gabe Kapler provided an update on the 34-year-old's status Friday, and he'll likely be sidelined until at least the latter end of his recovery timetable.

Harper has decreased swelling in his forearm but isn't ready to be activated from the injured list, Matt Breen of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

The 28-year-old was eligible to return from the injured list Wednesday, but he'll need more than the 10-day minimum to recover from a forearm contusion. Harper remains without an official timeline for his return, but based on comments from manager Joe Girardi, the outfielder is unlikely to be activated this weekend.

Pederson went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Thursday's loss to the Giants.

Pederson provided all the offense the Cubs could muster, as he socked a two-run shot off Anthony DeSclafani in the third inning. It was the outfielder's fifth long ball of the campaign, and it ended his three-game hitless streak.

Winker went 3-for-5 with a two-run home run and an additional run scored in Thursday's 4-2 win over the Cardinals.

Winker slammed a two-run home run off Adam Wainwright with two outs in the second inning. His 14 home runs lead the Reds and are tied for third in the National League. The 27-year-old's .348 batting average is second to teammate Nick Castellanos in all of baseball. In addition, his 1.044 OPS is third in MLB.

Blackmon went 3-for-4 with a solo home run, a double, three RBI and two runs scored during Thursday's victory over the Rangers.

Blackmon's fourth long ball of the season came against Mike Foltynewicz in the third inning. He actually reached base on four occasions, starting off with a hit-by-pitch in the first frame. He then singled in the sixth and knocked in a two-run double in the seventh. It was the ninth multi-hit game of the season for the 34-year-old, who got off to a slow start but seems to be heating up lately with eight hits in his last four games. Blackmon is slashing .262/.362/.407 overall.

Belt (oblique) will take batting practice Thursday and could return from the injured list this weekend, Amy Gutierrez of the Giants' official site reports.

The 33-year-old was expected to miss 10-to-14 days with the oblique strain and is eligible to be activated this weekend, and it appears he's on schedule in his recovery. Wilmer Flores should continue seeing time at first base until Belt can return.