MLB Player News

Carpenter, who was reinstated from the injured list last Thursday, is 2-for-9 with six strikeouts in the first two games following the All-Star break.

The nightmarish season continues for Carpenter, whose 25.7 percent strikeout rate is the highest of his major-league career. When factoring out his initial seven-game cup of coffee with the Cardinals back in 2011, all three components of Carpenter's current .216/.322/.376 line qualify as career worsts. Moreover, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that manager Mike Shildt will continue to rotate other hitters into the leadoff role that Carpenter often occupies (including Saturday), a spot where he's slashing only .208/.318/.365 over 299 plate appearances.

Ramirez is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Mets, Joe Frisaro of MLB.com reports.

Ramirez is 1-for-6 with a double and has been hit by two pitches through the first two games of the second half. Curtis Granderson will take over in left field and bat sixth in his absence Sunday.

Blackmon went 2-for-5 with an RBI and two runs Saturday in the Rockies' 17-9 loss to the Reds.

After reaching base just once in 15 plate appearances over his previous four games, Blackmon was able to get back on track in a classic Coors Field affair in which the two teams combined for 39 hits. The running game isn't a major part of Blackmon's skill set at this point, but his stellar batting average (.327), solid pop (20 home runs, 48 extra-base hits) and regular role as the Rockies' leadoff man still makes him a fantasy star.

Turner went 3-for-5 with a home run, two doubles, three runs scored and two RBI in Saturday's 11-2 win over the Red Sox.

Turner was 3-for-21 in his last seven contests but busted out in Boston against Chris Sale. The veteran third baseman has battled numerous injuries throughout the season but is still slashing .295/.374/.460 with 11 home runs in 84 games.

Dickerson (back) is on the bench as expected Saturday against the Brewers, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Dickerson left Friday's game with back tightness and was ruled out for Saturday's contest after the game. Brandon Belt will start in left field in his absence and could spend more time there until the Giants are fully confident in Dickerson's health, as he's had significant back problems in the past.

Pederson remains out of the lineup Saturday against the Red Sox.

Chris Sale represents the second of three lefties the Red Sox will throw against the Dodgers, so Pederson remains stuck on the bench. Max Muncy again gets the nod at first base.

Winker will sit against lefty Kyle Freeland and the Rockies on Saturday.

Winker hasn't started against a lefty since late May. Phillip Ervin will start in left field, as he's done against the previous six southpaws the Reds have faced.

Belt went 2-for-5 with a stolen base and a run scored in Friday's 10-7 win over Milwaukee.

Belt continues to bat first in the order following the All-Star break. The veteran first baseman has been doing an extraordinary impression of a traditional leadoff hitter, slashing .361/.452/.471 with a stolen base and eight runs scored in nine games in that role. While unconventional (compared to his heart-of-the-order profile), Belt continues to be the Giants' top on-base man by a long shot, so he should stick atop the order for the foreseeable future.

Dickerson left Friday's game against the Brewers with back tightness and will be held out of Saturday's game, Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

He went 0-for-3 before exiting. Back issues have plagued Dickerson for several years, so the Giants won't take any chances, already ruling him out the night before Saturday's contest. Hopefully it is just a day-to-day issue. Mike Yastrzemski could get the start in left field in his place.

Pederson is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Red Sox.

Pederson will hit the bench against a lefty (Eduardo Rodriguez) as he nearly always does. He could remain there all weekend as the Red Sox will start three straight southpaws. Max Muncy starts at first base in his absence.