MLB Player News

Belt went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Wednesday's 5-3 loss to the Dodgers.

Belt began and ended the three-game series against the Dodgers with multi-run homers. In addition to being known for his inability to stay healthy, the 30-year-old is also notorious for going on homer binges. Belt's fantasy owners are hoping this is the beginning of one those patented hot streaks.

Vientos will begin the season with Low-A Columbia, Mike Rosenbaum of MLB.com reports.

The South Atlantic League affiliate is going to be a scouting mecca this year, with Vientos (the Mets' No. 3 fantasy prospect), Ronny Mauricio (No. 4) and Shervyn Newton (No. 5) all manning the infield. Vientos' numbers in the Appy League in 2018 -- .287/.389/.489 with 11 homers and a strong 37:43 BB:K in 60 games -- suggest a future middle-of-the-order hitter once he's ready for the majors in a few years.

Ozuna (side) will undergo an MRI on Thursday, Jim Hayes of FOX Sports Midwest reports.

Ozuna was scratched from Wednesday's contest due to right side tightness. After the game manager Mike Shildt expressed some concern Ozuna could be dealing with an intercostal injury, according to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Ozuna should be considered day-to-day for the time being, while Tyler O'Neill and Jose Martinez are the top options to take over in left field should he remain out of the lineup.

Winker went 0-for-4 in Wednesday's loss to the Brewers to drop to 0-for-13 on the season.

As was the case on Opening Day, Winker hit a couple of rockets that were nonetheless caught. He's been more unlucky than bad, as opposed to teammate Scott Schebler, who has either struck out or hit feebly into outs so far.

Ozuna was scratched from Wednesday's game against the Pirates due to right side tightness, Jim Hayes of FOX Sports Midwest reports.

Manager Mike Shildt downplayed the severity of the injury, per Hayes, noting the Cardinals simply wanted to get Ozuna checked out while adding that the team isn't concerned about a possible long-term absence. Jose Martinez will start in left field and bat cleanup in his place. Ozuna should be considered day-to-day for now.

Pederson is not in the lineup Wednesday against the Giants, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

As has been the case all season, Pederson will retreat to the bench with a southpaw (Derek Holland) toeing the rubber for the opposition. Chris Taylor will start in left field and hit seventh in this one.

Buxton (back) entered Wednesday's game against the Royals as a pinch runner and stole his first base of the season.

Buxton was unable to start the game after suffering a back contusion in Tuesday's contest, but the injury is evidently not serious enough to sideline him completely or keep him from being active on the basepaths. With an off day Thursday, Buxton would appear to have a good chance to get back in the lineup Friday against the Phillies.

Ozuna, who has only one extra-base hit and has struck out eight times in his first 22 plate appearances, has seen a significant decline in hard contact thus far this season, Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports.

Following offseason shoulder surgery, Ozuna declared himself as healthy has he'd been in years this spring. The authority with which he's hitting the ball suggests otherwise. Ozuna's current 15.4 percent hard-contact rate ranks in the bottom seven percent of National League hitters, and he's registered an exit velocity of over 101 mph on only one ball in play thus far. However, Langosch reports the Cardinals appear set on keeping Ozuna in the cleanup spot for the time being.

Miller is not starting Wednesday's game against the White Sox, Tom Withers of the Associated Press reports.

In addition to Miller, fellow lefty hitters Tyler Naquin and Jake Bauers will check out of the starting nine with southpaw Carlos Rodon on the bump for the Pale Hose. Max Moroff will fill in for Miller at second base.

Buxton (back) is out of Wednesday's lineup against the Royals, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

He crashed into the center field wall and suffered a bruised back in Tuesday's game, and manager Rocco Baldelli intimated after the game that they might give Buxton a day or two before evaluating him again. The Twins have a well-timed off day Thursday, so the hope is that a couple days off will be all Buxton needs before returning Friday against the Phillies. Jake Cave is starting in right field while Max Kepler slides over to center field.