MLB Player News

Even though Winker (calf) is not starting, he's available to pinch hit and could be back in the lineup Sunday, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

With Tyler Naquin on fire, the Reds are back to having four players for three spots in the outfield again. It's possible that Winker and Nick Senzel will have to share some of their starts with Naquin in the immediate future.

Harper went 0-for-2 with two walks in Friday's 8-1 loss to the Braves.

Harper continues to have a slow start to the 2021 season. Across 21 at-bats, Harper has only registered one extra-base hit (zero home runs). The superstar outfielder has drawn a walk on 26.7 percent of his plate appearances to help make up for his lack of hits.

Winker (calf) isn't starting Saturday's game against Arizona.

Winker exited Friday's contest due to calf cramps after he went 3-for-3 with a double, one run and one RBI against the Diamondbacks. Tyler Naquin will fill in as the left fielder and lead off Saturday.

Winker was removed from Friday's game against the Diamondbacks due to calf cramps, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Winker went 3-for-3 with a double, one run and one RBI to begin Friday's contest, but he was replaced by Nick Senzel in the top of the sixth inning. The severity of the injury isn't yet clear, but Tyler Naquin could shift over to left field if Winker is forced to miss additional time.

Turner went 3-for-3 with a solo homer in Friday's 1-0 win over Washington.

Turner provided just about all the offense Friday, collecting three of the Dodgers' four hits and driving in the lone run of the contest. The 36-year-old is on fire to start the 2021 campaign with two long balls, eight RBI and a 1.179 OPS through 33 plate appearances.

Winker (illness) is starting in left field and batting leadoff Friday at Arizona.

The 27-year-old hasn't seen game action since April 3 due to an unspecified illness, but he'll return to the top of the order Friday. Winker had a strong start through the first two games of the season, going 3-for-8 with one double, three runs and one walk.

Belt is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Rockies, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Belt has yet to start consecutive games this season and will stick on the bench Friday with southpaw Austin Gomber pitching for Colorado. Darin Ruf will start at first base and bat cleanup for the Giants in his place.

Dickerson is out of the lineup for Friday's game versus Colorado, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Dickerson will take a seat for the second straight game with left-hander Austin Gomber starting for the Rockies. Austin Slater, Mauricio Dubon and Mike Yastrzemski will start from left to right in the outfield for the Giants.

Ruf went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run and a stolen base Wednesday against the Padres.

Ruf was in the lineup in place of Alex Dickerson with lefty Blake Snell on the mound. He launched his second home run of the season, both of which have come against southpaws. He'll likely continue to get his at-bats primarily against left-handers, meaning Dickerson should see the majority of playing time in left field as the season wears on.

Pederson went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Wednesday's 4-2 extra-inning loss to the Brewers.

Pederson tied the game at 1-1 with his eighth-inning homer. That blast was the outfielder's first hit in six games this year. He's produced three RBI, a run scored and eight strikeouts across 20 plate appearances. Should the lefty-hitting Pederson continue to struggle, Jake Marisnick could begin to earn more playing time.