MLB Player News

  • Brandon Belt DH | TOR

    Giants' Brandon Belt: Should return for road trip

    Manager Gabe Kapler said Sunday that Belt (oblique) will likely be activated from the injured list during the Giants' upcoming five-game road trip that begins Tuesday in Texas, Mark W. Sanchez of KNBR 680 San Francisco reports.

    San Francisco was dealt a massive blow Sunday when Evan Longoria (shoulder) was placed on the IL with an injury that will likely sideline him 4-to-6 weeks, but the impending return of Belt cushions the loss of Longoria to some degree. Kapler said that Belt has resumed fielding ground balls and running the bases, activities that presumably represent the final hurdles he'll need to clear in his recovery from a left oblique strain. Since the Giants will have the designated hitter available for their two-game set in Texas, they would have the luxury of easing Belt back into the mix in a non-defensive role if they choose to activate him Tuesday.

  • Joc Pederson DH | TEX

    Cubs' Joc Pederson: Not in lineup Sunday

    Pederson (back) is not in the starting lineup Sunday against the Giants after leaving Saturday's game with back tightness.

    Per Jordan Bastian of MLB.com, manager David Ross said Kris Bryant was originally scheduled to return to third base for the series finale, but Bryant will instead need to fill Pederson's void in the outfield. Pederson remains day-to-day for the time being, and it's unknown if he'll be available off the bench Sunday.

  • Matt Carpenter DH | STL

    Cardinals' Matt Carpenter: Sits after three straight starts

    Carpenter is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Reds.

    Carpenter had started each of the Cardinals' last three games -- twice at second base and once at first base -- but he'll take a seat in the series finale while Tommy Edman returns to the keystone. Edman could end up seeing more time in right field for the foreseeable future while both Harrison Bader (rib) and Justin Williams (neck) are on the injured list, so Carpenter could have a path to semi-regular work at second base in the short term.

  • Brewers' Daniel Vogelbach: Sits versus lefty

    Vogelbach is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks.

    With a southpaw (Caleb Smith) on the hill for Arizona, the lefty-hitting Vogelbach will take a seat in favor of his short-side platoon mate at first base, the righty-hitting Keston Hiura.

  • Phillies' Andrew McCutchen: Launches three-run homer

    McCutchen went 1-for-3 with a three-run homer Saturday against the Nationals.

    McCutchen is only hitting .219 with a .761 OPS on the season, but he has been seeing the ball well of late -- he extended his hitting streak to five games while going deep three times in that stretch. The veteran outfielder also has two multi-hit games and seven RBI during that five-game span.

  • Bryce Harper 1B | PHI

    Phillies' Bryce Harper: Productive outing in return

    Harper went 1-for-3 with an RBI, a run scored and a stolen base in Saturday's win over the Nationals.

    Harper did a good job stuffing the box score Saturday, recording his 14th RBI of the season and also stealing his fifth base. However, the most important thing is that the star outfielder looked completely recovered from the forearm injury that sidelined him for nearly two weeks. Expect Harper to reclaim his starting role in both the outfield and the middle of the Phillies' lineup moving forward now that he's healthy.

  • Alex Dickerson DH | ATL

    Giants' Alex Dickerson: Goes deep again

    Dickerson went 1-for-4 with a solo home run Saturday in a 4-3 victory over the Cubs.

    Dickerson put San Francisco on the board in the third inning with a solo shot to left field. It was the second homer in as many games for the outfielder, who had previously gone 14 games without going deep. On the season, Dickerson has six homers and 22 RBI while slashing .227/.298/.406.

  • Joc Pederson DH | TEX

    Cubs' Joc Pederson: Leaves with back tightness

    Pederson left Saturday's game against the Giants with right lower-back tightness, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

    It wasn't originally clear why Pederson left the game in the fifth inning. The extent of the back issue isn't known at this point, but the outfielder figures to be further evaluated before more updates are given.

  • Joc Pederson DH | TEX

    Cubs' Joc Pederson: Leaves game Saturday

    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.

  • Brandon Belt DH | TOR

    Giants' Brandon Belt: Still sidelined Saturday

    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.

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