MLB Player News

Belt went 1-for-4 with a solo home run Saturday against the Athletics.

Belt took Trevor Cahill deep in the fourth inning for his 14th home run of the season. Before the game, he was activated from the paternity list, though he only missed Friday's game before returning. Though this has been Belt's most productive season from a power standpoint, it was his first home run since June 28 and only his third since May 20.

Brantley went 1-for-3 with a walk, two runs, and an RBI against the Rangers on Saturday.

Brantley was a beneficiary of the Indians' offensive explosion Saturday, scoring both times he reached base and driving in his 57th run of the season on a single in the fifth inning. While his season-long numbers are still excellent, Brantley has slowed at the plate -- especially in terms of power -- hitting just three home runs since June 1.

Lewis was promoted to Double-A Arkansas on Saturday in the wake of Braden Bishop's season-ending forearm injury, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

One silver lining in Bishop's unfortunate circumstances is the opportunity for his fellow prospect to make the jump to the Double-A level for the first time. Lewis was slashing .260/.303/.429 across 211 plate appearances at High-A Modesto, and he went 2-for-3 with a walk, RBI and two runs while also getting hit by a pitch in his Travelers debut against Springfield on Saturday night.

Carpenter combined to go 2-for-4 in the Cardinals' doubleheader Saturday and hit a solo home run in both games, including a pinch-hit homer in the second contest.

The surface of the sun has nothing on Carpenter, who now has eight homers in a six-game streak, highlighted by his historic trio during a seven-RBI effort Friday. Carpenter tagged Tyler Chatwood in the third inning of the first contest and lifted one off Randy Rosario as a pinch hitter in the nightcap. For the year, he's hitting .277/.386/.593 with 25 homers, 53 RBI and 64 runs scored in 394 plate appearances. Heading into Saturday, he was slashing .352/.470/.926 for this month, and he now has 10 home runs in July.

Choi went 1-for-4 with a solo home run Saturday during the Rays' loss to the Marlins.

The veteran is just 3-for-18 in his first five games with Tampa Bay, but his second extra-base hit cut the club's two-run deficit in half during the final inning before the Rays fell to Miami. After a two-hit debut July 11, Choi had gone 0-for-10 in his three subsequent starts but should find at least part-time duty for the near future. Some AL-only fantasy players could find value in that situation, though his .208/.255/.458 line in 51 plate appearances isn't appealing.

Martinez (upper body) expects to be in Sunday's starting lineup against the Tigers, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

Martinez was held out of the lineup Saturday due to upper-body soreness after he crashed into the wall on a running catch Friday night. The true test will come Sunday morning, but at this point it looks like the 30-year-old slugger will return to the lineup soon.

Cespedes will see a specialist and get an MRI early next week, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

Cespedes was activated from the disabled list Friday but revealed that he will eventually need surgery to deal with calcification on both his heels. He was unavailable off the bench Saturday against the Yankees but hasn't been ruled out for Sunday's game. It's a difficult situation to get a read on, even for the Mets, who evidently were unaware that surgery would be necessary. The outfielder's immediate future should become more clear after the MRI.

Belt was activated from the paternity list Saturday and will bat second and play first base against Oakland, Kerry Crowley of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Belt ended up missing just one game on paternity leave. The first baseman has gone 0-for-15 in his last four games. Ryder Jones, called up to replace Belt on Friday, was sent back to the minors in a corresponding move.

Carpenter is on the bench for the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Cubs.

Carpenter picked up his fifth home run of the series in the afternoon game and has now homered in his last five games. Jose Martinez will start at first base in the nightcap.

Turner (groin) is not starting Saturday against the Brewers, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Turner hasn't played since July 12 after suffering a groin strain. He was thought to have a good chance to return Saturday but evidently wasn't cleared after a workout. Max Muncy will start at third base in his place.