MLB Player News

Cespedes (hamstring) is back in left field and batting third Tuesday against the Braves.

As expected, Cespedes is back in the Mets' lineup after missing the last three games with a hamstring injury. The 31-year-old slugger will be a welcomed return to the Mets' offense after the team scored just seven runs in the three games Cespedes missed (all losses). He's batting .263 with six homers and 11 RBI in 57 at-bats this year.

Blackmon went 1-for-5 with a home run and three RBI in Monday's 8-4 win over the Nationals.

Blackmon's sixth home run of the season helped him extend his hitting streak to nine games. The left-handed stick now has 18 RBI on the season to go along with a .266/.314/.608 slash line and one stolen base. While the overall numbers still look rather pedestrian, Blackmon is heating up and will help fantasy owners in all categories over the remainder of the season.

Pederson (groin) has been placed on the 10-day disabled list, Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register reports.

Pederson was forced to leave Sunday with groin tightness after a groundout. It isn't clear how long he'll be out, but the Dodgers did wait as long as they could Monday before making this move official. Brett Eibner will take his spot on the roster for now, and Enrique Hernandez will get the first shot in center field in Pederson's absence.

Pederson (groin) is out of the lineup Monday against the Giants, John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Pederson was forced out of Sunday's contest early after experiencing tightness in his groin. It's unclear whether the injury will require a stint on the DL, but expect Enrique Hernandez to assume the bulk of duties in center field until Pederson is able to return. A clearer update on his status should be available in the coming days.

Harper is not in the lineup for Monday's game against the Rockies, Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post reports.

It appears manager Dusty Baker is looking to keep Harper properly rested as he continues to build on his scalding start to the season. The superstar outfielder will almost certainly be back in the lineup when the Nats face off against Colorado again on Tuesday.

Cespedes (hamstring) told manager Terry Collins that he will be ready to play Tuesday, Matt Ehalt of the Bergen Record reports.

Of course, the training staff could overrule Cespedes, but the 31-year-old seems confident he will get the green light to play in Tuesday's series opener against Atlanta. Cespedes sat out Sunday for a third consecutive game, but he was in the on-deck circle ready to pinch hit when Jose Reyes made the final out. The Mets were swept in the weekend series against the Nats, scoring a total of seven runs in three games without Cespedes in the lineup.

Pederson was removed from Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks due to right groin tightness, reports, Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register reports.

Pederson grounded in the top of the inning and then was replaced in the field by Enrique Hernandez half an inning later, which the team said was merely precautionary. Although hamstring injuries can be tricky, there is a decent chance he will be able to avoid a trip to the disabled list, assuming it's nothing worse than the team is letting on.

Cespedes (hamstring) is out of Sunday's lineup against the Nationals.

As expected, Cespedes will remain out Sunday. In his place, Michael Conforto will start in left field. The Mets have Monday off, so consider Cespedes day-to-day heading into Tuesday's matchup against the Braves.

McCutchen went 1-for-2 with a home run, a stolen base, two walks and two RBI in Saturday's loss to the Yankees.

McCutchen got the Pirates on the board with his first-inning homer. He's hitting just .262 this month, and so far he's looking like the same hitter he was during his disappointing 2016 campaign. Until he shows signs of a breakout, he'll be difficult to count on as a top-line fantasy starter.

Cespedes (hamstring) isn't expected to play Sunday against the Nationals, Matt Ehalt of The Record reports.

If Cespedes sits out Sunday, it will mark the third consecutive day that he's been absent from the lineup. Although the club had said that Cespedes would sit out two or three games to rest his hamstring, owners will want to continue monitoring his status. Until Cespedes returns, Juan Lagares and Michael Conforto will likely split time in left field.