MLB Player News

Cespedes left Friday's game early after tweaking his left ankle, Maria I. Guardado of The Star-Ledger reports.

Cespedes was attempting to get back to first base on a pick off play when he rolled his ankle. The severity of the injury is unknown, but it is not surprising of the Mets to exercise caution in this situation. His status going forward is uncertain, but consider him day-to-day until further information is made available. He was 1-for-4 prior to leaving the game.

Cespedes is back in the lineup Friday against the Braves, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

It seems the cortisone shot Cespedes received worked wonders, as he's ready to return to the lineup after missing just the one start. Cespedes was diagnosed with a left wrist sprain after leaving Wednesday's game, and it will be interesting to see if the issue affects his in-game power in the days and weeks ahead.

The Pirates could give McCutchen down time -- such as a three-game rest period -- if he doesn't snap out of his funk soon. "That could be an option down the road," manager Clint Hurdle told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review . "We've thought about a lot of different things, and we're trying them one at a time."

The center fielder sat out Thursday's game, with David Freese being used as a ninth-inning pinch hitter instead of McCutchen. "Freese has a much better on-base percentage (.370) right now (than McCutchen's .315)," Hurdle said. "Against right-handed pitching, there's a lot of numbers working to Freese's advantage." McCutchen is slashing .187/.247/.253 in 81 June plate appearances, while his strikeout rate of 25 percent represents a career-worst mark.

Ozuna smacked his 16th home run of the year, a solo shot, during Thursday's victory over the Cubs.

It was his only hit in four trips to the dish. Ozuna is sporting a robust .322/.373/.578 slash with 16 home runs, 46 runs scored and 44 RBI. The RBI total through 72 games has already matched his number from last year over 123 contests and he's just one run scored short of matching his 2015 total in that category as well.

Stanton went 2-for-4 with a homer, two RBI and two runs Thursday against the Cubs.

He's been hot for nearly a week now, ripping off two homers among 10 hits in 25 at-bats (.400) over a six-game span. Looking at the stats right now, his has been a disastrous season for Stanton, but a productive end to June and then a big second half will make everyone forget about his early struggles. If anyone can be counted on to do just that, it's the Marlins' slugging right fielder.

Soler (hamstring) is now taking batting practice, Carrie Muskat of MLB.com reports.

It sounds like Soler, now more than two weeks removed from suffering a left hamstring strain, is inching closer to a minor league rehab assignment although the team has not provided any sort of timetable for him to join an affiliate. Soler raised his OPS nearly 150 points in his final 15 games before hitting the DL with five multi-hit games and three home runs over that span.

Cespedes (wrist) could play in Thursday's game against Atlanta, Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News reports.

Although not in the starting lineup, the Mets are saying Cespedes could substitute or pinch hit Thursday. The 30-year-old received a cortisone shot Wednesday which apparently improved his wrist enough where he could play if needed.

Ozuna had two hits and scored a run in Wednesday's win over the Braves.

The 25-year-old outfielder continues to rake with a strong .323/.375/.571 slash over 266 at-bats. He's been the Marlins' best hitter for the majority of the season while chipping in 15 home runs and 43 RBI to go along with 45 runs scored.

As expected, Cespedes (wrist) will sit out of Thursday's contest at Atlanta.

Cespedes received good news Wednesday night and will avoid a trip to the disabled list. However, he may be forced to sit out a few games after receiving a cortisone injection on his left wrist. Alejandro De Aza will receive the start in center field Thursday while Cespedes is out.

Belt is out of the lineup Thursday against the Pirates.

The Giants are giving several veterans the day off for Thursday's day game, and Belt certainly deserves the break, having notched eight hits, including two home runs, over his last six games. Buster Posey will start at first base and hit cleanup Thursday.