MLB Player News

Blackmon went 3-for-3 with a home run, a walk, four runs and three RBI in the Rockies' 19-2 win over the Diamondbacks on Wednesday.

Blackmon's production waned near the end of June as the Rockies completed a six-game road trip in California, but he has feasted since returning to Coors Field. During the Rockies' five home games so far in July, Blackmon has gone 10-for-20 with two long balls, seven runs and seven RBI. The Rockies have four more home games on tap before the All-Star break, so look for Blackmon to close the first half on a high note and prop up his .284 season average, which represents the outfielder's worst showing in the category since 2012.

Winker went 2-for-4 with a double and a two-run home run in Wednesday's 19-4 loss to Cleveland.

The 24-year-old remains locked in at the plate. Over his last 20 games, he's hit a blistering .418 (23-for-55) with four homers, 20 RBI and a superb 15:9 BB:K. Winker remains stuck in a rotation in a crowded Reds outfield, but if he carries his current form into the second half, he should force his way into a true starting job.

Stanton went 4-for-5 with a walk, two RBI, a run scored and a strikeout in Wednesday's win over the Orioles.

All four hits were singles, but he also added a walk to reach base five times in all. Stanton seems to have fully recovered from his slow start to the season, hitting .298 with eight homers in June and now .362 with three long balls thus far in July. On the year, Stanton is slashing .276/.348/.518 to go along with 22 homers and 54 RBI.

Ohtani's elbow will be reevaluated July 19, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic Los Angeles reports.

Ohtani hasn't pitched since June 6, but he's been back as a hitter for over a week. After his previous evaluation back in late June, it was revealed that doctors were not recommending surgery, though whether or not he'll be able to pitch again this season remained up in the air. That should become clear following his next evaluation.

Cespedes (hip) is taking grounders at first base at his own suggestion during his rehab, James Wagner of The New York Times reports.

Playing first base wouldn't allow Cespedes to show off his excellent arm, though he believes it could potentially keep him healthy. If he does end up playing first base on occasion, he could add some more positional flexibility for fantasy owners.

Pederson is out of the lineup again Wednesday against the Padres.

Pederson has sat in favor of Enrique Hernandez in three of the last four games, with all three absences coming against lefties. Pederson continues to be mostly protected against southpaws, against whom he's hit just .176/.262/.303 over the course of his career. The protection hurts his counting stats, but it's given him a career-high slugging percentage and a solid .245/.325/.518 line overall.

Ohtani is not in Wednesday's starting lineup against the Mariners, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

After Ohtani just returned from a knee injury Tuesday, the Angels are likely taking it easy with the 23-year-old star, although it's also worth noting that Los Angeles is facing left-hander Marco Gonzales. Albert Pujols is slotted into the lineup as the designated hitter and Jefry Marte will take over at first base with Ohtani likely available to pinch hit off the bench.

Miller is not in the lineup against Miami on Wednesday.

Miller will take a seat after going 0-for-8 with four strikeouts over the first two games of this series. In his place, Hernan Perez will start at second base and bat seventh in the lineup.

Assistant general manager John Ricco said Cespedes (hip) could begin a rehab assignment during the All-Star break, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

Cespedes resumed baseball activities last week and could be back in action with the Mets for the start of the second half of the season next weekend if all goes according to plan.

Ohtani (knee) went 1-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored in Tuesday's win over Seattle.

Ohtani was forced to come off the bench Sunday after fouling a ball off his right knee Saturday. The two-way star homered in his lone at-bat Sunday, and reaffirmed the health of his knee with a return to the starting lineup Tuesday. Ohtani is still not ready to pitch due to a Grade 2 UCL sprain in his throwing elbow, but the injury will not affect his status as the Halos' primary designated hitter.