MLB Player News

Belt went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Wednesday's 5-3 loss to the Dodgers.

Belt began and ended the three-game series against the Dodgers with multi-run homers. In addition to being known for his inability to stay healthy, the 30-year-old is also notorious for going on homer binges. Belt's fantasy owners are hoping this is the beginning of one those patented hot streaks.

Vientos will begin the season with Low-A Columbia, Mike Rosenbaum of MLB.com reports.

The South Atlantic League affiliate is going to be a scouting mecca this year, with Vientos (the Mets' No. 3 fantasy prospect), Ronny Mauricio (No. 4) and Shervyn Newton (No. 5) all manning the infield. Vientos' numbers in the Appy League in 2018 -- .287/.389/.489 with 11 homers and a strong 37:43 BB:K in 60 games -- suggest a future middle-of-the-order hitter once he's ready for the majors in a few years.

Ozuna (side) will undergo an MRI on Thursday, Jim Hayes of FOX Sports Midwest reports.

Ozuna was scratched from Wednesday's contest due to right side tightness. After the game manager Mike Shildt expressed some concern Ozuna could be dealing with an intercostal injury, according to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Ozuna should be considered day-to-day for the time being, while Tyler O'Neill and Jose Martinez are the top options to take over in left field should he remain out of the lineup.

Winker went 0-for-4 in Wednesday's loss to the Brewers to drop to 0-for-13 on the season.

As was the case on Opening Day, Winker hit a couple of rockets that were nonetheless caught. He's been more unlucky than bad, as opposed to teammate Scott Schebler, who has either struck out or hit feebly into outs so far.

Ozuna was scratched from Wednesday's game against the Pirates due to right side tightness, Jim Hayes of FOX Sports Midwest reports.

Manager Mike Shildt downplayed the severity of the injury, per Hayes, noting the Cardinals simply wanted to get Ozuna checked out while adding that the team isn't concerned about a possible long-term absence. Jose Martinez will start in left field and bat cleanup in his place. Ozuna should be considered day-to-day for now.

Pederson is not in the lineup Wednesday against the Giants, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

As has been the case all season, Pederson will retreat to the bench with a southpaw (Derek Holland) toeing the rubber for the opposition. Chris Taylor will start in left field and hit seventh in this one.

Ozuna, who has only one extra-base hit and has struck out eight times in his first 22 plate appearances, has seen a significant decline in hard contact thus far this season, Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports.

Following offseason shoulder surgery, Ozuna declared himself as healthy has he'd been in years this spring. The authority with which he's hitting the ball suggests otherwise. Ozuna's current 15.4 percent hard-contact rate ranks in the bottom seven percent of National League hitters, and he's registered an exit velocity of over 101 mph on only one ball in play thus far. However, Langosch reports the Cardinals appear set on keeping Ozuna in the cleanup spot for the time being.

Harper went 3-for-5 with a double, a home run and three RBI in Tuesday's 8-2 win over the Nationals.

Harper was booed heartily upon his return to Washington but that didn't stop him from continuing to crush the baseball Tuesday. The former MVP put an exclamation point on the evening with his two-run blast during the eighth inning, which traveled an estimated 458 feet. The 26-year-old is 6-for-14 with two doubles, three home runs, five RBI and five walks through four games.

Reyes is not starting Tuesday against the Diamondbacks.

Reyes sits for the second time in six games. Franchy Cordero starts in his place in right field.

Pederson remains on the bench Tuesday against the Giants, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Pederson has taken a seat in three of the Dodgers' first six games as the Dodgers have faced three lefties. Chris Taylor starts in left field with southpaw Madison Bumgarner on the mound.