MLB Player News

Blackmon went 2-for-4 with a pair of doubles and a run in Colorado's 3-1 win over Oakland on Friday.

Blackmon continues his hot hitting, as this marked his fifth multi-hit effort in his last nine outings to bring his average up to .290 through 389 at-bats. His RBI total is down from last season, but he's leading the National League with 78 runs scored and he's also been able to push his slugging percentage from .457 to .506 with a hot month of July that's seen him slash .366/.418/.690 over 71 at-bats.

Stanton will man right field and bat second against Kansas City on Friday.

Stanton will move up in the order after Aaron Judge (wrist) was placed on the 10-day DL prior to Friday's contest. Judge had been a fixture in the two-hole all year, starting 97 of 101 games for the Yankees in that spot of the order. This likely won't impact Stanton too heavily as the 28-year-old has been occupying the cleanup position recently, but this should give him a couple extra at-bats over the next few weeks if he remains in this spot.

Buxton (wrist) was activated from the 7-day DL at Triple-A Rochester on Friday.

As expected, Buxton will rejoin the Red Wings and return to the starting lineup at the Triple-A level this weekend after landing on the shelf with a strained wrist July 14. Through 18 games with Rochester this year, he's hitting .232/.303/.377 with two home runs, six RBI and three stolen bases. Look for him to head back to the majors once he's able to get into a groove at the dish.

Choi went 2-for-4 with a double, an RBI and a run scored Thursday against the Orioles.

Choi has enjoyed a regular role since being recalled from Triple-A Durham on July 10, going 9-for-32 with a home run, two doubles, three RBI and two runs scored. He will almost certainly never face lefties -- he has just 10 at-bats against them in his career -- and has a .405 slugging percentage in 185 career at-bats, so expectations should be limited despite his relatively impressive run recently.

Belt (knee) will be shut down from baseball activities for at least five days to let his bone bruise heal, Shayna Rubin of The Athletic San Francisco reports.

The Giants have already placed Belt on the disabled list, and Rubin's report gives a clearer indication of how long he'll be out. Belt will be sidelined until early next week as a best-case scenario before resuming activities, but the Giants figure to have a further update on his outlook towards the end of that five-day window. Look for the Giants to lean on Pablo Sandoval and Buster Posey at first base in the interim.

The Giants placed Belt (knee) on the 10-day disabled list Thursday, Kerry Crowley of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Belt seemingly avoided any serious damage when he hyperextended his knee Wednesday, but the Giants will still give him ample time to recover without taking up a roster spot. Pablo Sandoval and Buster Posey are the favorites to see time at first base in Belt's absence.

Buxton (wrist) will be reinstated from the minor-league DL at Triple-A Rochester on Friday, Phil Miller of the Star Tribune reports.

Instead of being activated Thursday, the Twins wanted Buxton to partake in another session of batting practice to make sure he was fully operational. It appears as though his time on the field went by without a hitch, and Buxton should return to Rochester's lineup Friday.

Canha is not in the lineup against Texas on Thursday.

Nick Martini will spell Canha in left field after the latter started the first three games of the series. Over the course of 18 games this month, Canha is slashing .270/.356/.444 with three home runs and 10 RBI.

Winker will have surgery on his shoulder and will miss the rest of the season, John Fay of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

President of baseball operations Dick Williams said Winker will be ready for spring training next year, but that his 2018 season is over. He suffered a right shoulder subluxation earlier this week. Winker is not a good defender in the outfield, but his recent production at the plate had earned him a spot in the heart of the Reds' order. He finishes the season with a .299/.405/.431 slash line, seven home runs and more walks (49) than strikeouts (46) in 334 plate appearances. His absence will open up more consistent playing time for Adam Duvall and Scott Schebler (shoulder), who is expected back soon.

Winker was put on the 10-day disabled list retroactive to Tuesday due to a shoulder injury, Bobby Nightengale of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

The Reds officially diagnosed Winker with a right shoulder subluxation and called up Mason Williams to take his place on the active roster. Winker has remained on the bench since suffering the injury during Monday's game against the Cardinals. The club failed to specify a timetable for his return, though he will be eligible to come off the DL on Aug. 3.