MLB Player News

Belt will start at first base and bat leadoff Sunday against the Reds, Kerry Crowley of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

For the first time in his eight-year career in the big leagues, Belt will fill the table-setting role while normal leadoff man Andrew McCutchen shifts down to the three hole. It's unclear if manager Bruce Bochy plans to stick with Belt atop the lineup, but the 30-year-old's performance Sunday will likely have a say in the matter.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said he's "confident" Stanton will be available to start in the outfield during the club's two-game set in Miami that begins Tuesday, Lindsey Adler of The Athletic New York reports.

Stanton has been dealing with hamstring tightness for a little over a week, resulting in the Yankees deploying him exclusively at designated hitter for the club's past 11 games. It sounds like the injury is still affecting Stanton on some level, but the Yankees seem optimistic he'll be able to play the field without major limitations during the interleague matchup.

Martinez went 1-for-2 with a walk, a solo home run, a second run scored and a stolen base in Saturday's 5-2 win over the Rays.

The steal leaves him one shy of the career-high six he posted in 2014, but it's just the cherry on top of the fantasy sundae he's been serving up in August -- Martinez sports a .404/.493/.860 slash line through 15 games on the month with six homers, 16 runs and 17 RBI. The 30-year-old now leads all of MLB in home runs (38) and RBI (106), and his .333 batting average is second only to teammate Mookie Betts' .346.

Turner went 1-for-3 with a walk, a solo home run and a stolen base in Saturday's loss to the Mariners.

With his eighth-inning homer off Alex Colome, Turner extended his hitting streak to 12 games, and he's batting .404/.492/.731 in August. Turner also chipped in a rare stolen base, his second of the season and first since June 26. Now seemingly back to full health, Turner appears primed for a big final six weeks.

Stanton went 2-for-4 with a solo homer and a pair of runs in Saturday's victory over the Blue Jays.

Stanton launched his 32nd home run -- and seventh in 12 games -- with a fourth-inning shot off Sean Reid-Foley. He also singled and scored on Miguel Andujar's third-inning double.

Ohtani (elbow) threw 20 fastballs in a light bullpen session Saturday, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Ohtani hasn't pitched in a game since early June, but he's thrown several bullpen sessions over the last two weeks. He's expected to face live hitting at some point next week as he continues his progress towards a potential return to the mound in September.

Reyes isn't in Saturday's starting lineup against Arizona.

Reyes is set for his second straight day on the bench, although he was called on to pinch hit Friday. Travis Jankowski draws the start in right field and will lead off.

Ohtani is out of the lineup Saturday against lefty Martin Perez and the Rangers.

Ohtani is hitting just .169/.269/.237 against lefties this season, so it's hardly surprising to see him beginning to be platooned. A strict platoon would likely protect his batting average while cutting into his counting stats. Albert Pujols will be the designated hitter Saturday, with Jefry Marte starting at first base.

Choi is on the bench for the second straight game against left-hander David Price and the Red Sox.

Over the Rays' last 10 games, Choi has started against all seven righties and sat against all three lefties. C.J. Cron will be the designated hitter in his absence.

Ozuna went 1-for-4 with a two-run single in a win over the Brewers on Friday.

The slugging outfielder got the scoring started with a first-inning hit that plated Yadier Molina and Jose Martinez. Ozuna has bounced back from a lackluster July (.210/.250/.314 over 112 plate appearances) to reach safely in 13 of 16 August contests and generate six multi-hit efforts this month.