MLB Player News

Soler is in the lineup and batting second for Tuesday's game against the Pirates.

Soler will take Jason Heyward's (wrist) place in the lineup with left-hander Jon Niese on the mound. This is the highest Soler has hit in the lineup all season, but likely won't be a common occurrence once Heyward returns from injury. The 24-year-old is hitting .227 with two home runs and five RBI against southpaws this season.

Pederson is in the lineup and batting eighth for Tuesday's game against the Rays, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

This is the first time that Pederson has been in the starting lineup against a left-handed pitcher, and he is 0-for-6 overall against southpaws on the season after hitting .216 against them in 2015. He is likely in the lineup primarily due to the Dodgers getting a DH for this series in Tampa Bay.

Belt went 3-for-4 with a walk, a triple, an RBI and a pair of runs in Monday's 9-6 victory over the Reds.

Belt filled up the stat sheet with another three-hit game Monday, his second over his last five games. He is quietly having a breakout season at age 28. He doesn't hit a ton of home runs, which may suppress his perceived value, but if you look at his slash line of .310/.431/.517 (all career-highs), you can see that he is poised for a big season. While it isn't an exciting comparison, Belt's name should be uttered in the same breath as Eric Hosmer in terms of value. The combination of excellent contact, plate discipline and gap power while hitting in the middle of a strong lineup should lead to career-highs in both runs and RBI this season.

The Padres recalled Dickerson from Triple-A El Paso on Monday, Dennis Lin of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Although the Padres' outfield is healthy at the moment, Dickerson has arrived in San Diego to provide additional depth. In 22 games with El Paso this season, he's constructed a .352/.405/.549 slash line with three homers, 13 RBI and 13 runs scored in 71 at-bats.

Soler is not in the starting lineup for Monday's game against the Pirates.

This will be the second day in a row that Soler sits out. This may be in part due to manager Joe Maddon trying to get Tommy La Stella and Javier Baez more time at third base and Kris Bryant more time in the outfield, but the fact that Soler's batting average is sitting below the Mendoza Line this far into the season may be a part of the decision as well. Kris Bryant will fill in for him in left field while Tommy La Stella takes over at third base Monday.

McCutchen, who went 1-for-4 with a walk and run scored Sunday, appeared to tweak a knee while sliding into home plate -- though he stayed in the game.

He stuck in the wet dirt and was attended to by the team's trainer. Since socking three homers in one game against Colorado, the center fielder has just three hits in his last 17 at-bats. McCutchen is too good to be sitting at .227 much longer. He's certainly happy to put April in the rearview mirror, as he's compiled his worst career numbers in the season's opening month (.255/.343/.423).

Pederson is not in the lineup Sunday against the Padres, Andy McCullough of the LA Times reports.

Pederson will take a seat with lefty Drew Pomeranz on the hill for the Padres, allowing Trayce Thompson to get the start in center field. Thompson appears to be the regular option against southpaws, as he's started over Pederson each time the Dodgers have faced a lefty this year. After batting .216 against left-handed pitching in 2015 and starting this season 2-for-10, the Dodgers seem comfortable utilizing Pederson in this platoon.

Soler is not in the starting lineup Sunday against the Braves.

Soler had been the primary left fielder in Chicago since Kyle Schwarber's knee injury, but has recently been losing time to Kris Bryant at that spot, as manager Joe Maddon has been giving both Tommy La Stella and Javier Baez multiple starts at third base (Bryant's regular position). With Bryant returning from an ankle injury to start Sunday, Soler will be the odd man out against righty Julio Teheran and the Braves.

Cespedes was 2-for-4 with a pair of runs scored and six RBI including a grand slam home run as the Mets dismantled the Giants on Friday night.

He returned to the lineup after missing five games with a leg bruise - aside from a pinch-hit home run - and proceeded to punish the Giants with a huge night at the plate. He has now blasted seven home runs and driven in 23 while hitting .313 on the year despite the days off. Cespedes also left early in this game, but with the Mets up by 12 there was no reason to overburden his balky leg.

Blackmon (toe) has been activated off the disabled list and will bat leadoff Friday against the Diamondbacks, Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post reports.

Brandon Barnes was optioned to Triple-A on Friday in a corresponding move to activate Blackmon off the DL. Blackmon initially landed on the disabled list due to a turf toe injury, but was able to return to the Rockies after the minimum 15-day requirement. He'll draw back into the leadoff spot Friday against Arizona lefty Robbie Ray.