MLB Player News

Giants first baseman Brandon Belt was named NL player of the week (Aug. 5-12) Monday. It was his first weekly award honor.

Belt hit safely in seven straight games last week, batting .440 (11 for 25) with two home runs, three doubles, three walks, five RBI and eight runs.

Rockies outfielder Charlie Blackmon has benefited from extra playing time since Carlos Gonzalez landed on the disabled list with a finger injury. Blackmon is batting .429 (6 for 14) with one double, one home run, two RBI, three runs and one stolen base in his last six games (three starts).

Phillies outfielder Darin Ruf hit his fourth home run of August in his team's 8-5 loss to the Nationals Saturday. The 1-for-4 performance makes him 8 for 33 with four home runs and seven RBI this month and gives him a .289/.389/.546 line with six home runs and 11 RBI in 97 at-bats.

The Phillies designated outfielder Delmon Young for assignment Friday, signaling their belief that Darin Ruf is their best option out there, at least for the near future. Ruf, a converted first baseman, is going to spend the final two months of the season auditioning for a job moving forward. 

"This is important for Ruf and [third baseman Cody] Asche and anyone who's getting to play like that, that's probably playing to be on the team or playing for a contract," manager Charlie Manuel told MLB.com Friday. "This is a big time for them. Not only that, it's a great chance. Sometimes you can go in and not get a chance like these guys are going to get."

In 27 games this season, as well as 12 a year ago, Ruf has pretty much proven his bat can play anywhere. In 126 career at-bats, Ruf is hitting .302 with eight home runs and 18 extra-base hits. The question will be finding a long-term home for him, with Ryan Howard still under contract at first base. The team thinks Ruf can learn the position well enough to survive, at least.

"He's not going to be a Gold Glover," general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said. "But what he can bring to the table, we think he can bring to the table for us, warrants getting him as many at-bats as possible, even though we may sacrifice a little bit of defense."

Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen (shoulder) returned to the starting lineup Friday night against the Rockies at Coors Field.

McCutchen reached base twice as he finished 1 for 2 with a walk and played only five innings of a 10-1 defeat. He is hitting .314/.387/.512 with 16 homers and 65 RBI in 420 at-bats.

Cubs outfield prospect Jorge Soler (stress fracture/tibia) is expected to be examined Monday in Chicago to determine the next step in his rehabilitation process. He could be a candidate to play in the Arizona Fall League, ESPN reports.

Giants first baseman Brandon Belt continued his offensive surge Thursday against Brewers with a three-run home run off starter Donovan Hand, leading his team to a 4-1 win. He finished 1 for 3 with a walk, a run scored and three RBI.

Belt is hitting .450 (9 for 20) with four walks, two homers and five RBI in his last six games played. He has a .266/.347/.453 with 12 homers and 44 RBI in 338 at-bats this season.

Phillies outfielder Darin Ruf enjoyed another solid performance at the plate Thursday against the Cubs with two hits, including his fifth home run of the season.

Ruf launched a two-run home run in the third inning off starter Jeff Samardzija to extend the lead for the Phillies. He finished 2 for 4 with two runs scored and two RBI in a 12-1 victory.

Ruf has recorded at least two hits in three of his last four games. He has homered three times over his last six games. He is hitting .303/.410/.551 with five homers and nine RBI in 89 at-bats.

Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen was able to pinch-hit Thursday against the Marlins after being scratched before the game with right shoulder discomfort. McCutchen had a single in his only at-bat in the seventh inning.

Over his last seven games, Giants first baseman Brandon Belt is hitting .471 with a double, a home run, and a 1.414 OPS. While he was due for a surge at some point, this jump in production actually has a direct reason.

On his MLB.com blog (which more people should really be reading), Belt writes that the team's hitting coaches have been suggesting he move back in the box and hold the bat with ihs fingers, not his palms. "But I was stubborn," Belt says. "I'd been successful my whole life with what I'd always done." It took some conversations with other players -- including Buster Posey and a player on another team -- to convince him to try it. His first attempt at the changes? Seven games ago. 

Belt says the tweaks allowed him to see the ball better, and have eliminated a rushed feeling at the plate. "I felt I was really tapping into my ability," Belt writes, "like I did in spring training." Fun fact: Belt hit .410 with eight home runs and a 1.265 OPS in 24 spring games. 

Owned in 46 percent of leagues, Belt has given us all a very tangible reason for this sudden outburst. If he sticks to the changes -- and he says he's 100 percent committed -- Belt could be a Fantasy steal this late in the season.