MLB Player News

Belt (knee) is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Reds, Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Belt made a pinch-hitting appearance in Saturday's 5-4 loss, striking out in his lone trip to the dish. While the Giants' decision to use Belt off the bench offers hope that he'll avoid a trip to the injured list, his sore right knee looks like it might still be presenting complications for him in the field. With Belt idle for the second straight game, Pablo Sandoval will draw a start at first base.

Winker is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Giants, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

The fact that the Reds are facing a tough left-hander (Madison Bumgarner) along with playing a day game after a night game likely influenced manager David Bell's decision to withhold Winker from the lineup. With Winker on the bench, Jose Peraza will pick up a start in left field.

Carpenter is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Pirates.

With a lefty (Steven Brault) on the mound for Pittsburgh and the Cardinals playing a day game after a night game, manager Mike Shildt evidently viewed it as an opportune time to give Carpenter just his third day off of the season. Carpenter, who went 0-for-9 over the first two games of the series, will be replaced at third base by Jedd Gyorko.

Choi went 2-for-4 with an RBI single and a run in a win over the Yankees on Saturday.

Choi was relegated to the bottom of the order Saturday, but he still found a way to make a solid impact. The 27-year-old has enjoyed his encounters with Yankees pitching over the first two games of the series, as he's 3-for-7 with a solo home run, a walk and two runs in that pair of contests.

Cabrera was ejected from Game 2 of Saturday's doubleheader against the Twins in the bottom of the first inning, Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press reports. He finished 0-for-1.

Cabrera, who started at designated hitter, grounded out to end the top of the first inning, then was tossed from the dugout in the bottom of the frame, presumably for arguing balls and strikes with the home plate umpire. It was the 10th ejection of Cabrera's 15-year-career. The veteran is slashing .286/.348/.350 this season with just one home run and 14 RBI through 37 games.

Ohtani is not in the lineup for Sunday's series finale at Baltimore, Maria Torres of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Ohtani served as the designated hitter for all five games since coming off the injured list Tuesday but will head to the bench Sunday. The 24-year-old has struggled so far by going 4-for-21 with three RBI and zero extra-base hits. Albert Pujols will serve as the DH on Sunday while Justin Bour starts at first base.

Jimenez (hamstring) ran the bases for a second straight day Saturday, Madeline Kenney of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Jimenez, who also ran the bases Friday, is inching closer to a rehab assignment. While he's on the injured list, Nicky Delmonico is picking up starts in left field.

Brantley went 2-for-5 with a solo home run and two additional runs scored in Saturday's 11-4 rout of the Rangers.

The former Cleveland outfielder continues to thrive in the heart of the Houston order. Brantley is now slashing .340/.387/.607 through 39 games with 10 homers, three steals, 25 runs and 29 RBI.

Blackmon went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Saturday's 4-3 loss to the Padres.

The 32-year-old is red hot at the plate, hitting safely in nine straight games and slashing .368/.455/.789 over that stretch with nine of his 14 hits going for extra bases (five doubles, a triple and three homers). Blackmon's OPS on the year now sits at an even .900.

Belt (knee) went 0-for-1 with a strikeout in his lone plate appearance in Saturday's 5-4 loss to the Reds.

Belt wasn't in the starting nine after tweaking his surgically repaired right knee Friday. An MRI on Saturday revealed no structural damage, and his presence off the bench bodes well for a potential return to the starting lineup in Sunday's series finale against Cincinnati.