MLB Player News

Martinez will be on the bench for Sunday's contest against the Mets.

Martinez will sit for the second time in September. Steve Pearce will be the designated hitter in his absence.

Brantley will be on the bench Sunday against the Tigers.

The Indians will go with nearly a full shift change Sunday after clinching the division the day before. Rajai Davis will start in left field.

Ohtani went 2-for-4 with a solo home run Saturday against the Mariners.

Ohtani smacked his 20th home run of the season in the first inning, going back-to-back with Mike Trout. He's flashed his power regularly this month, with Saturday's long ball already being his fifth of September. Through 280 at-bats in his rookie campaign, he's slashing .293/.371/.593.

Belt is day-to-day after an MRI on his knee came back clean, Amy Gutierrez of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

While Belt won't be shut down for the remainder of the season, he's expected to cede some extra starts down the stretch as he continues to battle a recurring knee issue. Austin Slater figures to see time at first base when Belt is rested.

Turner went 3-for-3 with a walk, a hit by pitch and a pair of runs in Saturday's 17-4 victory over the Cardinals.

The hit by pitch appeared to have potentially injured Turner, but he remained in the game for several more innings, and X-rays were negative, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports. The third baseman has now gone 11-for 23 (.478) over his last seven games.

Belt underwent an MRI on his sore right knee Saturday and could be shut down for the season if the results are bad, Kerry Crowley of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Belt is already expected to miss the occasional game as he battles the recurring knee issue and will likely undergo offseason surgery. If the Giants elect to shut him down, Austin Slater would be in line for regular starts at first base.

Belt (knee) is not in the lineup Saturday against the Rockies, Kerry Crowley of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Belt was pulled from Friday's game with knee soreness. He didn't believe the issue was a significant one, but it's bad enough for him to miss at least one game. He's expected to undergo offseason surgery due to the recurring problem, so it wouldn't be surprising to see him sit frequently down the stretch.

Carpenter is not in the lineup against the Dodgers on Saturday.

Carpenter will take a seat for the first time since Aug. 29, when he was battling a minor illness. Though Carpenter did go 0-for-4 with three strikeouts Friday, it's a little surprising manager Mike Shildt would keep him out of the starting nine during such a pivotal showdown with Los Angeles as both teams fight for postseason contention. That said, there hasn't been any word on a potential injury and with another left-hander in Rich Hill on the mound Saturday, it's entirely possible Shildt is just giving the 32-year-old a well-earned day off. Patrick Wisdom will man first base and bat sixth in the order in Carpenter's absence.

Belt was removed in the seventh inning of Friday's contest due to an issue with his knee, Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic reports.

Belt had just returned from a brief absence due to soreness in his right knee Wednesday, so it isn't surprising that his removal was related to the same injury. On the bright side, the first baseman said that he doesn't believe the setback is of the long-term variety and that he should be considered day-to-day. Manager Bruce Bochy said that it would be tough to start Belt Saturday, so Austin Slater would likely slide over to first base if that plan sticks. Belt is scheduled to undergo offseason surgery on his nagging knee so that he can hopefully begin the 2019 season with a clean bill of health.

Belt was removed from Friday's game against the Rockies with an apparent injury, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Belt just returned to the starting lineup Wednesday after missing time due to a knee issue, and it appears the same issue is bothering him again. He'll likely be considered day-to-day moving forward.