MLB Player News
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Charlie Blackmon RF | COL
Rockies' Charlie Blackmon: Takes seat for nightcap
Blackmon isn't starting the second game of Thursday's doubleheader against the Mets.
Blackmon will get a breather after he went hitless in three at-bats during the first game of the twin bill. Yonathan Daza will start in right field and bat sixth.
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Darin Ruf DH | MIL
Giants' Darin Ruf: Slated for MRI
Ruf (hamstring) is scheduled to undergo an MRI on Thursday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Ruf went 2-for-3 with a pair of base hits before he was removed from Wednesday's 5-4 win with an apparent right hamstring injury. Jason Vosler came on to replace Ruf and supplied a go-ahead solo home run in the eighth inning to lift the Giants to victory. With all of Brandon Belt (oblique), Wilmer Flores (hamstring) and Tommy La Stella (hamstring) on the injured list, Ruf will likely be in line for steady reps at first base if his own hamstring issue doesn't prove to be too significant. The Giants should have a better idea of Ruf's recovery timeline once the results of the MRI are read.
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Andrew McCutchen DH | TEX
Phillies' Andrew McCutchen: On bench Thursday
McCutchen will sit Thursday against the Marlins.
McCutchen will rest for the second time in three days. The veteran outfielder was showing signs of life in early May following a slow start but has since gone on to hit just .151/.294/.321 over his last 15 games. Roman Quinn will lead off and play left field in his absence.
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Joc Pederson DH | TEX
Cubs' Joc Pederson: Sits against lefty
Pederson is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Pirates.
With a southpaw (Tyler Anderson) on the hill for the Pirates, the lefty-hitting Pederson will check out of the starting nine for the series finale. Rafael Ortega will fill in for Pederson in left field.
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Darin Ruf DH | MIL
Giants' Darin Ruf: Leaves with hamstring issue
Ruf was removed from Wednesday's game against the Diamondbacks with an apparent right hamstring injury, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
The 34-year-old suffered the injury while rounding first base on a single during the sixth inning, and he was immediately replaced by a pinch runner. It would be a tough break for Ruf should he be forced to miss any time since he was poised to fill in at first base with Brandon Belt (oblique) on the injured list.
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Brandon Belt DH | TOR
Giants' Brandon Belt: Heads to injured list
Belt was placed on the 10-day injured list Wednesday with a mild left oblique strain, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.
Belt is expected to miss 10-14 days with the oblique injury. The first baseman has struggled with a .228 average this season, but his defense and veteran presence will certainly be missed while he recovers. Jason Vosler was recalled to fill Belt's spot on the active roster.
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Brandon Belt DH | TOR
Giants' Brandon Belt: Sitting Wednesday, as expected
Belt (side) is not in the lineup Wednesday at Arizona, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.
The Giants were considering sending the 33-year-old for an MRI after left side discomfort resurfaced during Tuesday's contest, so it's hardly a surprise he's out of Wednesday's lineup. Belt should be considered day-to-day for now, but he could be forced to miss some time after missing six consecutive games due to the injury last week.
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Marcell Ozuna DH | PIT
Braves' Marcell Ozuna: Won't require surgery
Ozuna was diagnosed with fractures in his ring and middle fingers on his left hand Wednesday but won't require surgery, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.
Ozuna underwent X-rays that revealed dislocated fingers Tuesday, but his CT scans and other tests Wednesday revealed a more serious issue. Even though he won't need to undergo surgery, Ozuna is expected to miss at least six weeks.
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Matt Carpenter DH | STL
Cardinals' Matt Carpenter: Multiple firsts Tuesday
Carpenter served as the designated hitter in an interleague loss to the White Sox on Tuesday and went 2-for-3 with a double, a walk and a run.
It's a testament to how difficult the 2021 season has been for Carpenter that Tuesday's production resulted in both his first double and first multi-hit effort of the campaign. The struggling veteran did not make the starting nine for Wednesday's matinee against Chicago, but he did draw back-to-back starts -- the former at first base -- in the first two games of the series.
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Marcell Ozuna DH | PIT
Braves' Marcell Ozuna: Out at least six weeks
Ozuna (finger) is expected to miss at least six weeks, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.
Ozuna visited a specialist in Atlanta on Wednesday after he dislocated the ring and middle fingers on his left hand Tuesday. His extended absence will likely keep him out until at least July. Ehire Adrianza and Ender Inciarte could see increased playing time in the outfield while Ozuna is sidelined.