MLB Player News

Ozuna is not in the starting nine for Thursday's game against the Phillies, Andre Fernandez of the Miami Herald reports.

Ozuna retreats to the bench for the second time in the past four games after going 0-for-4 with four strikeouts during Wednesday's loss. In his place, Derek Dietrich will draw the assignment in left.

McCutchen went 1-for-5 with a solo home run and two runs scored during Wednesday's loss to Milwaukee.

This was McCutchen's 25th long fly of the season, and he's taking a run at posting his best fantasy campaign since 2014 with an extra-base hit in each of his past four games. It's been another strong cross-category showing and McCutchen appears in line to finish the year strong.

Martinez went 1-for-3 with a double, two walks, two runs and an RBI in Wednesday's 8-2 win over the Rockies.

Martinez's red-hot September continues, with the slugging outfielder submitting a .447/.481/1.128 slash line over 11 games. He's failed to record an extra-base hit in just two of those contests and has racked up 19 RBI and 16 runs.

Winker went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Wednesday's 6-0 win over the Cardinals.

His leadoff shot proved to be the only run the Reds pitching staff would need. After hitting only five home runs in 191 games for Triple-A Louisville over the last two seasons, Winker has now matched that total in his first 32 big-league games.

Harper (knee) has advanced to soft toss and hitting off a tee in recent days and is participating in "some light running" prior to Wednesday's game against the Braves, Chelsea Janes of The Washington Post reports.

Harper continues to progress from a knee injury that has sidelined him since mid-August. It's a positive sign that Harper has been able to expand his exercises, but it appears as though he still has a little ways to go before getting back on the field. A better sense of a timetable should develop for Harper's return once he's cleared to take live batting practice.

McCutchen went 1-for-4 with a double Tuesday in Milwaukee.

His double, which produced an 109-mph exit velocity, gives the center fielder extra-base hits in three straight games. McCutchen is far removed from his summer hot stretch (he entered Tuesday hitting .194 since Aug. 17), but he does have hits in seven of eight contests. McCutchen has gone .316 in 19 career at-bats against Wednesday starter Chase Anderson.

Miller is out of the lineup Wednesday against the Yankees, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Miller has been a regular on the bench against left-handed pitching all season, so it's no surprise he'll take a seat with southpaw Jaime Garcia on the bump for the Yankees in the series finale. Danny Espinosa checks in for Miller at second base, batting ninth.

Martinez went 2-for-4 with a solo homer and a double in Tuesday's 4-2 loss to the Rockies.

Martinez went deep off starter Jon Gray in the fourth inning and added a double to lead off the ninth. The trade deadline acquisition from Detroit has been among the hottest hitters in baseball with 12 home runs and five doubles for a total of 17 extra-base hits in his past 15 games.

Carpenter went 1-for-1 with an RBI double, four walks and two runs scored in Tuesday's 13-4 win over the Reds.

Carpenter roped a double in his lone at-bat and saw 27 total pitches. The veteran infielder's OBP jumped from .376 to .382 with this effort and he now has just 12 more strikeouts (110) than walks (98) this season. His combination of power and batting eye is what makes Carpenter such a valuable asset out of the leadoff spot for manager Mike Matheny, and both of those skills were on display here.

Winker will start in right field and lead off Tuesday against the Cardinals.

By successfully running the bases again Saturday, Winker passed the final test necessary to return from a hip injury. He will slot in atop the order in his first start back, as Scott Schebler moves to center to open a spot for Winker in right. This could be the new norm for Cincinnati with Billy Hamilton (thumb) on the DL. Winker has displayed strong plate skills and surprising pop during his time with the big club, and with regular playing time, he should be useful in most mixed leagues.