MLB Player News

Blackmon is out of Thursday's lineup against the Giants.

He left Wednesday's game early, but is listed as a bench option for Thursday's game, so it looks like he's just getting the day off. Gerardo Parra will start in center field with Ben Paulsen moving to left field against righty Matt Cain.

Ruf (shoulder) is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Padres, according to MLB.com's Todd Zolecki.

Ruf, if healthy, would have started at first base Thursday with the Padres starting southpaw Drew Pomeranz, but Ryan Howard will get the nod with Ruf still banged up. While Ruf's shoulder is still too sore for him to play a full nine innings, he may be able to pinch hit if needed.

Soler went 2-for-2 with an RBI, run, and walk against the Reds on Wednesday.

Soler pushed his batting average up to .200 with the effort. He is playing nearly every day in the wake of Kyle Schwarber's season-ending knee injury, but so far he has just five hits in 25 at-bats. On the plus side, he's struck out just six times, which is a much better strikeout rate than he's shown up to this point in his career.

Ruf said his shoulder was feeling better Wednesday after receiving a cortisone shot, Evan Webeck of MLB.com reports.

Ruf said he was not sure if he'll be able to play Thursday. The Phillies face lefty Drew Pomeranz and they would surely like to have Ruf in the lineup if he is ready to go.

After going hitless with two strikeouts in four at-bats Tuesday, McCutchen is batting .258 with no homers and one RBI.

Batting second, McCutchen is tied with the Dodgers' Adrian Gonzalez for the league lead in plate appearances (37). He's just missed hitting several homers, but his soft contact percentage (25.9 percent) is nearly double his career norm (13.7 percent). McCutchen is looking to start strong after a slow start last season but so far the results have been ordinary.

Ozuna is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Mets, according to MLB.com's Joe Frisaro.

Ozuna owns just a .510 OPS six games into the season, so manager Don Mattingly decided to give him a mental break Wednesday. Ichiro Suzuki will get the start in center field in Ozuna's place.

Manager Pete Mackanin said Ruf (shoulder) could be available to pinch hit Wedensday, Jim Salisbury of CSN Philadelphia reports.

Ruf is currently day-to-day with a bruised rotator cuff. He hurt the shoulder diving for a ball at first base in Monday's game.

Ruf is day-to-day with a contusion on his left rotator cuff, Ryan Lawrence of The Philly Voice reports.

He missed Tuesday's game with the ailing shoulder, and given his limited role occupying the short side of a first base platoon, this should not be a major blow for the Phillies or fantasy owners. The Phillies next face a lefty (Drew Pomeranz) on Thursday, so that is probably the best bet as to when Ruf will return to the lineup.

Ruf is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Padres due to left shoulder soreness, Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com reports.

Ruf apparently jammed his left shoulder in Monday's game and will get it examined. Manager Pete Mackanin says he is hopeful that Ruf will still be available to pinch hit, but the 29-year-old should be considered day-to-day until more information is released regarding the injury.

Cespedes has been quicker to the ball the last two games due to a shortened back swing, the New York Post reports.

After struggling to start the season, Cespedes is 4-for-8 with a home run and three runs batted in over his last two games. The shortened take-back to the ball enables him to get into and through the hitting zone quicker. In addition, after striking out seven times his first 16 at-bats, he has zero these last two contests.