MLB Player News

Harper went 3-for-5 with a double, two runs scored, an RBI and a stolen base in Wednesday's win over the Phillies.

The slugger showcased some of his other talents in this one, beating the shift with a bunt in the first inning and then swiping his 11th bag of the season in the fourth. Harper's posted five multi-hit performances in his last seven games, and he's now rung up a spectacular .385/.442/.679 slash line through 20 games in August with five homers, 14 runs, 17 RBI and three steals.

Carpenter struck out in all four of his at-bats Wednesday in the Cardinals' 3-1 win over the Dodgers.

After going 3-for-5 and connecting on his 34th home run of the season in the series opener, Carpenter received a breather Tuesday. The time off evidently didn't prove helpful, as the four strikeouts were a season high for the infielder. Though Carpenter has been one of the majors' top hitters since mid-May, he's fallen into a bit of a slump in the second half of August. Not including his big performance Monday, Carpenter has recorded only one hit over his most recent seven starts, resulting in a 10-point drop in his batting average over that stretch.

Pederson went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Wednesday's loss to the Cardinals.

Pederson provided the Dodgers' only hit against Jack Flaherty and their lone run on the night with his long ball in the sixth. While Pederson has struggled somewhat since the All-Star break -- he came into Wednesday's game batting .232/.281/.476 since the intermission -- he still has respectable numbers overall and should continue to lead off against right-handed pitching.

Blackmon went 2-for-5 with a stolen base, a run scored and a strikeout in Wednesday's win over the Padres.

Blackmon led off the home half of the first with a single before singling again later for a second straight multi-hit day. The stolen base was just the seventh of the year in 11 attempts for the 32-year-old who swiped 43 bags as recently as 2015. Though the speed aspect of his game has diminished, he's the National League leader with 91 runs scored. Blackmon is hitting just .208 over 77 at-bats in August, but he maintains a .276/.343/.474 slash line on the year.

Ozuna was placed on the 10-day disabled list due to right shoulder inflammation prior to Wednesday's game.

Ozuna has been battling shoulder soreness for a majority of this season, though it hasn't impacted him much at the plate lately, as he's hitting .321 with an .862 OPS since the start of the month. He will receive a little time off to recover and will be eligible to return Sept. 1 against the Reds.

McCutchen is not in the lineup Wednesday against the Mets, Kerry Crowley of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

As expected, McCutchen is situated on the bench Wednesday as the Giants are reportedly working toward trading the outfielder before the Aug. 31 waiver deadline. Gorkys Hernandez is starting in right field in this one, while Alen Hanson and Austin Slater could also benefit from more opportunities if McCutchen is indeed traded.

The Giants are likely to withhold McCutchen from the lineup Wednesday against the Mets with San Francisco expected to be working toward trading the outfielder, Robert Murray of The Athletic Wisconsin reports.

McCutchen was placed on revocable waivers earlier in the week, but it remains uncertain if he cleared or if one of the MLB's other 29 teams put in a claim. Either way, it appears the 62-65 Giants, who are rapidly fading from playoff contention, are determined to get something in return for McCutchen prior to the Aug. 31 waiver deadline before he hits free agency over the winter. If the Giants do end up parting ways with McCutchen, it would likely open up more opportunities in the outfield for the likes of Alen Hanson and Austin Slater.

Ozuna went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer in Tuesday's win over the Dodgers.

Ozuna delivered a pair of insurance runs late, hitting his 16th home run with two outs in the seventh inning in the 5-2 win. The 27-year-old is making up for a disappointing July with a strong August -- over 81 at-bats in the month, he's slashing .321/.368/.494 with 11 RBI.

Carpenter is not in the lineup Tuesday against the Dodgers.

It's a rare day off for Carpenter, who has started 28 straight games for the Cardinals, hitting .259/.391/.546 with nine homers over that stretch. Jose Martinez will start at first base and lead off in this one.

Belt is on the bench Tuesday against the Mets, John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Belt will sit for the first time since returning from the disabled list last Tuesday. Austin Slater will start at first base against lefty Steven Matz.