MLB Player News

Blackmon (back) is out of the lineup Tuesday against the Giants, Nick Kosmider of the Denver Post reports.

It seems that Blackmon's back hasn't fully healed yet, so the 30-year-old outfielder will sit out of his fourth game in a row. Raimel Tapia will take over for him as the center fielder and leadoff hitter once again.

Belt is out of the starting lineup for Tuesday's matchup with the Rockies, Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Between Belt's recent struggles at the plate (no hits in his last 18 at-bats) and the fact that he was hit in the helmet with a pitch Sunday, it seems the Giants want to give Belt a bit more rest as they gear up for a postseason push. Buster Posey will slide over to first base to cover his absence.

Colon was recalled from Triple-A Omaha on Tuesday.

The fourth overall pick in 2010, he showed some encouraging signs during the 2014-15 seasons, flashing an ability to hit and get on base at a useful clip. However, Colon has taken a significant step back this year at the age of 27 and will likely play primarily off the bench over the final month.

As expected, Ozuna (wrist) is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Phillies, according to Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald.

It was reported Sunday that Ozuna would be out until Thursday or Friday, and it appears that timeline has not changed. Christian Yelich will make another start in center field Tuesday in Ozuna's place.

Vargas was officially recalled from Triple-A Rochester on Tuesday.

With the Triple-A season now over, Vargas will rejoin the Twins, for whom he's appeared in 25 games this season, hitting .259 with six home runs and 13 RBI. The 26-year-old could see time at first base over the final month of the season and he'll also be an option in the DH spot.

Cabrera hit a pair of solo home runs in a 4-for-5 game Monday against the White Sox.

Cabrera now has five two-homer games in 2016. Monday's effort gives him 31 home runs for the season, his first 30-homer campaign since he had managed seven straight such seasons from 2007-2013. Cabrera owns a brilliant .316/.389/.556 batting line and is showing no signs of showing down even at age 33.

McCutchen hit his 20th home run of the season Monday in a 12-6 loss at the hands of the Cardinals.

McCutchen now has six straight seasons with 20 home runs, although is batting average of .253 is way down from the .292 mark he posted a year ago. McCutchen has just 60 RBI on the year, a mark that can probably be chalked up to bad luck, considering the Pirates are top-five in the MLB in on-base percentage, and McCutchen is hitting .295 with runners in scoring position.

Vargas is expected to be recalled from Triple-A Rochester on Tuesday, Phil Miller of the Star Tribune reports.

Over 25 games with the Twins this season, Vargas is hitting .259/.379/.576 with six home runs and 13 RBI. However, he's struggled recently with Rochester. In his last 10 games, he's gone 7-for-33 with 10 strikeouts, bringing his batting average down to .233 for the year. Once he joins the big club, Vargas will add depth at first base, but can also be an option in the DH spot.

Harper is not in the lineup for Monday's game against the Royals, according to MASN's Dan Kolko.

Harper has been swinging a hot bat for a few weeks, but manager Dusty Baker decided to hold out most of his regulars Monday, so Harper will get a day off for the first time since he sat out three straight games in mid-August with a sore neck. Brian Goodwin will get the start in right field in Harper's place.

Belt (head) is back in the lineup Monday against the Rockies, Giants reporter Andrew Baggarly reports.

Belt took a pitch to the helmet Sunday, but he passed all subsequent concussion tests and won't miss any time. The veteran is in the lineup at first base Monday, and he'll bat seventh in the order against the Rockies' Chad Bettis.