MLB Player News

Soler hit his fourth home run, scored twice, knocked in three runs and walked twice in a 2-for-3 game in Tuesday's win over the Cardinals.

Soler has hit half of his four home runs on the season in the past five game, perhaps a sign that he's ready to break out of his season long slump. He's still hitting just .206/.304/.355, but seeing as he's been under the Mendoza line for much of the season, things are at least heading in the right direction.

Ozuna went 2-for-3 with two doubles, two runs and a walk Tuesday against the Rays.

Ozuna scored after hitting each of his doubles, but the Marlins came up short against the Rays. He's now hit safely in 22 of his last 23 games to raise his slash line to .327/.372/.589.

Stanton went 1-for-4 with a solo homer Tuesday against the Rays.

Stanton's 12th bomb of the year got the Marlins on the board in the sixth inning of a losing effort. It was only his second homer in his last 17 games, and he's now slashing .214/.326/.481.

Cespedes went 2-for-4 with a home run, his MLB-leading 15th of the season, and scored twice in Monday's 7-1 victory over the Nationals.

The home run propelled him past sluggers Nolan Arenado and Todd Frazier for the league's top spot. His 36 RBI are best in the NL while his 1.092 OPS is second-best in the majors (behind only David Ortiz). Cespedes has put his name among the most elite players in the league, and there's no reason to believe he will slow down as the season goes on.

Ozuna hit his ninth home run as part of a 3-for-4 game with two runs scored in Monday's win over the Rays.

Ozuna extended his hitting streak to five games and now has six extra-base hits (including two homers) in that stretch. The lack of power from Ozuna in 2015 -- just 10 home runs and a .383 slugging percentage in 123 games -- was a big reason why he fell out of favor by the end of the season. But Ozuna is still only 25 years old, is still growing into his power, and has to develop it in one of the toughest hitter's parks in the league. It shouldn't be terribly surprising that he went through some growing pains, and now he's living up to the potential he showed when he mashed 23 home runs in 2014.

Turner is in the lineup for Monday's tilt with the Reds.

Turner will man the hot corner and bat second in the order. He was not in the lineup Sunday after starting the previous five games. Turner did make a pinch-hit appearance, and made the best of it by mashing a solo home run. He will look to stay hot Monday.

Turner will not start in Sunday's series finale against the Padres.

Turner appears to be receiving a rest day after starting the last five contests. A rather unimpressive .227/.319/.326 batting line may have played a factor as well, but Howie Kendrick will slot in at third base in his place, with the hot-hitting Trayce Thompson once again starting in left field. Still, Turner could rejoin the lineup as soon as Monday when the Dodgers host the Reds.

Cespedes went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer and two runs Saturday against the Brewers.

Cespedes' 14th blast of the year tied the game in the sixth inning, and set the stage for a Mets comeback win. The slugger has now homered three times in his last six games, as well as seven times this month, and he's slashing .297/.378/.659.

Pederson is in the lineup for Saturday's matchup with the Padres.

Pederson was given the night off Friday as they were facing a lefty. Pederson has logged just 14 at-bats against southpaws this season. He will match up against Cesar Vargas Saturday. Pederson sports a .965 OPS against right-handers on the season.

Belt is out of the lineup for Saturday's matchup with the Cubs.

Buster Posey will slide over to first base as a means of giving Belt the day off. Belt is 0-for-6 in his career versus Jon Lester, so albeit a small sample size, the day off can be considered well-timed. Expect him to return to the lineup Sunday.