MLB Player News

Belt (wrist) is back in the lineup Tuesday against the Indians, batting third and playing first base, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Belt was available as a defensive replacement Monday night, so it isn't too surprising to see him back in the lineup Tuesday. He'll resume his normal spot in the order as he looks to build on his .244/.352/.470 slash line.

Harper went 2-for-4 with a walk and a three-run home run in Monday's win over the Reds.

The homer was his third in four games since the All-Star break and 23rd of the year. Harper's also reached base in 20 consecutive games, slashing .390/.500/.662 over that stretch with five home runs, 17 RBI and 20 runs. The only disappointing thing about the 24-year-old superstar's campaign has been his two steals in four attempts, but when you're posting a 1.048 OPS, there's little reason to risk injury on the basepaths.

Winker was optioned to Triple-A Louisville on Tuesday, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Only one of the Reds' starters (Luis Castillo) during the team's recently completed four-game series with the Nationals was able to cover more than 4.1 innings, so Lisalverto Bonilla was recalled from Triple-A to give an overworked bullpen an extra arm. Winker, who had started just one of seven games since being recalled from Louisville, was a luxury the Reds could no longer afford to keep on the active roster, so he'll clear a spot for Bonilla and return to the minors to pick up everyday at-bats. Winker should rank as one of the top candidates for a promotion when the Reds next require an additional bench bat or a spare outfielder.

Stanton went 2-for-3 with two home runs and three RBI during Monday's win over Philadelphia.

Stanton is now up to seven homers in July and 28 for the season. Alongside the bombs, he sports a .275/.363/.580 slash line with 62 RBI and 63 runs, and the outfielder projects to remain an elite fantasy asset moving forward. Barring injury, he has an excellent shot at leading the National League -- and potentially all of baseball -- in home runs.

Belt (wrist) is available as a defensive replacement Monday against the Indians, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Belt's wrist is reportedly feeling much better, and although he isn't willing to test it with the bat Monday evening, he does expect to receive clearance Tuesday. He's day-to-day for now, but a Tuesday return seems to be fairly reasonable at this point.

Belt (wrist) is not in the lineup Monday against the Indians, Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

This marks the second consecutive game the Giants' first baseman will miss due to a sprained wrist. No word on Belt's progress has come forth, but in the meantime, Jae-Gyun Hwang seems to be in line to pick up more starts at first base, as he will Monday evening.

Cespedes (hip) is back in the lineup Monday against the Cardinals, batting third and playing left field.

The slugger missed just one game after exiting Saturday's contest due to an ailing hip. He'll resume his normal role for New York moving forward, although it wouldn't be too surprising to see him get semi-regular days off, given the laundry list of injuries he's dealt with this season.

Carpenter went 2-for-5 with an RBI double in Sunday's 4-3 loss to the Pirates.

The slugging leadoff man erased an early 1-0 deficit with his fifth-inning two-bagger that plated the just-recalled Magneuris Sierra. Carpenter's red-hot start to July includes a six-game hitting streak, four multi-hit efforts and doubles in three of his last five contests. The 31-year-old has already brought his season average up 12 points to .243 since the beginning of the month, although that figure still easily ranks as his worst in any major-league season outside of his initial seven-game cup of coffee in 2011.

Turner went 2-for-3 with a solo home run and two RBI during Sunday's win over Miami.

Turner has an impressive 10 homers, 22 RBI and 24 runs through 29 games since returning from the disabled list June 9. He's sporting an elite .374/.469/.584 slash line for the season, and Turner projects to remain a high-end fantasy asset hitting in the heart of the dominant Los Angeles lineup.

Belt was scratched from Sunday's game against the Padres with a sprained wrist, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

The injury stems from Saturday's game when Belt hurt the wrist while holding back on a check swing. He will be considered day-to-day for now, as Buster Posey slides over to man first base in his stead and Nick Hundley draws the start behind the plate.