MLB Player News

Ozuna (finger) is starting in left field and hitting cleanup Friday against the Pirates, FOX Sports Midwest reports.

He had appeared off the bench in each of the last two games, so it's not surprising that he was back on the lineup card for the second game of the series against Pittsburgh. Ozuna has heated up a little at the plate, going 11-for-25 (.440) and a 4:2 BB:K, but with zero home runs, in his last nine games.

Choi was recalled from Triple-A Colorado Springs on Friday.

Choi will take the roster spot of Zach Davies (shoulder), who was placed on the disabled list in the corresponding move. Choi has appeared in just six games with the Brewers this season, but he has produced in his limited opportunities, tallying two doubles and an RBI despite totaling just 15 at-bats. The Brewers will play their next five games in American League parks, which will afford Choi several opportunities to pick up more at-bats over the next week.

Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said on Thursday, "I won't say he is close, but I don't think he is that far away," regarding Cespedes (hip) returning from the disabled list, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

The comment is in contrast to one earlier this week, when it was reported Cespedes could begin a minor-league rehab assignment as soon as this weekend. Regardless, the right hip flexor strain appears to be a lingering issue for the veteran outfielder, who has been on the disabled list since May 13. The 32-year-old started taking batting practice last Thursday and began his running program Friday, but at this point it's difficult to discern just how long Cespedes could be on the shelf.

Ozuna (finger) is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Pirates, Jim Hayes of FOX Sports Midwest reports.

Ozuna was a late scratch from Wednesday's lineup after jamming his finger on a play at second base Tuesday. The Cardinals optioned fellow outfielder Tyler O'Neill to the minors in a flurry of moves Thursday, which seems to indicate Ozuna's finger issue is fairly minor.

Reyes went 1-for-3 with a walk and a solo home run in Wednesday's 3-2 win over the Marlins.

Reyes' fourth-inning blast off Jose Urena was the rookie's third homer in as many games. The outfielder is still struggling in the batting average department (.200), but his advertised power is starting to show at the major-league level. There were concerns over playing time once Hunter Renfroe was activated from the disabled list earlier this week, but Reyes' hot streak could keep him in the lineup often at least until Wil Myers (oblique) or Franchy Cordero (forearm) return from the disabled list.

Harper went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Wednesday's 2-0 win over the Orioles.

His third-inning shot down the left-field line gave Max Scherzer and Sean Doolittle all the offense they would need in the combined shutout. Harper now has 18 homers on the year including five in his last nine games, and his .297 batting average (11-for-37) over that stretch suggests he's beginning to shake out of his slump.

The Reds' four-man outfield rotation has come to an end, with Winker moving to the bench on a regular basis, C.Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports. Winker entered Wednesday's play hitting .245/.354/.325.

Interim manager Jim Riggleman believes that the rotation has hurt the offensive performances off all four Reds outfielders, and emphasized some of the previous offensive contributions of Adam Duvall and Scott Schebler as a rationale for choosing to play them over Winker. Duvall has been suggested as a trade target, but to have any leverage to trade him, the Reds need to play him and see him produce, so in the long run that still may be a path for Winker to gain playing time. Also in defense of the decision, Winker's power has once again disappeared -- he has just one homer in 178 plate appearances this season.

Turner is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Phillies.

Turner will head to the bench for what appears to be a maintenance day after starting eight straight games. Breyvic Valera is starting at third base and hitting seventh in his stead. Turner is hitting just .255/.327/.383 through 13 games this season.

Ozuna was removed from the starting lineup prior to Wednesday's tilt against the Brewers due to a jammed finger, Joe Trezza of MLB.com reports.

The injury appeared to occur during Tuesday's game on a play at second base. He was slated to start in left field and bat fourth, but Tyler O'Neill has since replaced the 27-year-old in the lineup. Ozuna will be available off the bench if needed, and he'll be considered day-to-day moving forward.

Carpenter went 1-for-3 with two RBI from a bases-loaded walk and a solo home run in a win over the Brewers on Tuesday, while also drawing a second free pass.

At one point earlier this month, Carpenter's season line stood at a dreadful .140/.286/.272. All three figures have seen massive boosts in recent weeks, with the 168-point increase in his slugging percentage (.272 to .440) being the most dramatic. Carpenter sports a blistering .404 average, .528 wOBA and 65.8 percent hard contact rate in the 58 plate appearances encompassing his last 13 games, a stretch during which he's racked up 13 extra-base hits (nine doubles, four home runs) and eight RBI.