MLB Player News

Slumping Dodgers center fielder Joc Pederson will sit for the second straight game Saturday against the Angels. It also marks his second consecutive benching against a left-hander.

Pederson, who is 17-for-73 against southpaws this season, has one multi-hit game since July 10 and has just 11 hits in his last 58 at-bats.

Matt Williams expressed anger at Nationals slugger Bryce Harper after the latter was ejected for the third time this season Friday night for blowing up at umpire Jerry Meals.

Washington could have used Harper in a one-run, extra-inning defeat.

"I want him to stay in every game," Williams told MASNSports.com. "We've talked about it. We'll talk about it again."

Harper defended himself. "I was sticking up for my team and myself at the same time," he said. "(Meals) was bad all night."

Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen smacked his 15th home run of the season during Friday's 5-4 win over the Reds.

The solo shot was his only hit in four at-bats during the game. Over his last nine games, McCutchen is hitting .324 with three home runs and nine RBI.

Cardinals third baseman Matt Carpenter led off the bottom of the first inning with a solo home run, giving the Cards an early 1-0 lead over the Rockies. Carpenter would finish the game going 2 for 4 with a double and his 13th dinger of the year.

Carpenter now has three homers in his last two games.

Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper was ejected from Friday's loss to the Mets after arguing a strike three call during the top of the 11th inning.

Harper, who went 0 for 5, was not pleased to be called out looking and began to argue with the home plate umpire, who quickly tossed him from the game.

The hitless performance snapped an eight-game hitting streak for Harper. Over that stretch, he hit .379 with 11 hits, three doubles, two home runs and four RBI.

Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner was placed on the 15-day disabled list due to a skin infection on his right thigh. Turner was sent to the emergency room on Tuesday when a pimple on his leg developed into an infection.

The move to the DL is retroactive to Tuesday. 

Struggling Dodgers center fielder Joc Pederson is not in the starting lineup for Friday's matchup with the Angels. Pederson, who was recently moved out of the lead-off spot in the order, will take a seat with left-hander Hector Santiago on the mound for the Halos.

Pederson, who has just six hits in his last 33 at-bats, is hitting .233 with three home runs against southpaws this season. The rookie center fielder was held hitless over his last three games.

Enrique Hernandez will replace Pederson in left field and bat eighth on Friday.

Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner remains out of the starting lineup due to a skin infection on his leg. Turner will miss his third straight game with the issue which put him in the emergency room on Tuesday.

His current condition has not been revealed by the team, and it is not known when he is expected to return to the lineup.

Alex Guerrero will get another start at the hot corner on Friday against the Angels. 

The Mets have traded for outfielder Yoenis Cespedes from the Tigers in exchange for two minor leaguers. The deal was agreed to just prior to the 4pm trade deadline on Friday.

The Mets are sending minor league pitchers Michael Fulmer and Luis Sessa, according to the New York Post. 

Cespedes will be an immediate impact in the Mets' offense, which is among the worst in Major League Baseball. He was batting .293 with 18 home runs for the Tigers this season.

Cardinals third baseman Matt Carpenter had a strong night at the plate on Thursday. Carpenter went 4 for 5 with a double, four RBI and four runs scored in the 9-8 win over the Rockies.

Carpenter also knocked a pair of home runs off starter Chris Rusin, including a three-run shot in the second inning. The two longballs give Carpenter 12 on the season.

Over his last 10 games, Carpenter is now batting .297 with three homers and seven RBI.