MLB Player News

Belt went 0-for-1 with four walks and a run scored in Friday's 6-2 win over the Diamondbacks.

That wasn't a typo, Belt did actually start this game, but he reached base via the free pass four times Friday, only registering one official at-bat. He exhibited his elite plate discipline, bringing his on-base percentage over the .400-mark, something only eight other players in the majors can make a claim to. While the All-Star voting system is essentially a popularity contest, it is safe to say that Belt earned his first appearance with a slash line of .299/.404/.517 through the first half of the season.

Cespedes (quadriceps) will not participate in the All-Star game, ESPN's Adam Rubin reports.

The star slugger is nursing a quadriceps injury that was already expected to keep him out through the All-Star break, so the news of him not participating in the All-Star game itself was expected. Pittsburgh's Starling Marte will take his spot on the National League's roster.

Cabrera went 2-for-4 in Friday's 6-0 loss to the Blue Jays.

The veteran slugger was one of the few to have some success against southpaw J.A. Happ, turning in the Tigers' only multi-hit effort on the night. Cabrera has a pair of multi-hit outings in July and has hit safely in nine of his last 12 games.

McCutchen went 3-for-4 with a double and RBI in Friday's 8-4 victory over the Cubs.

It was the second multi-hit outing in the last four for the veteran slugger, who's endured a tough season at the plate and a variety of injuries this season. He's showing signs of picking it up so far in July, slashing .296/.387/.370 over 27 at-bats.

Cespedes, who suffered a quad strain in Friday's game, is unlikely to return until after the All-Star break, The Star-Ledger's Maria Guardado reports.

Manager Terry Collins said he didn't expect Cespedes to play in the All-Star game, so it seems unlikely he'll play Saturday or Sunday. He hurt the quad going after a Daniel Murphy double in the third inning of Friday's game. Cespedes said he has dealt with a similar issue previously and only missed a handful of days in that instance, while also adding that he's hopeful he will be able to avoid a DL stint. It sounds like a major injury was avoided, but owners should be prepared to be without the star outfielder for the rest of the first half.

Buxton (knee) will have an MRI Saturday morning, but he's optimistic that he only suffered a bruise in Friday's game, the Star Tribune's Phil Miller reports.

He was limping postgame, but manager Paul Molitor said Buxton was doing better postgame than he was after the collision with the wall, so the team has some optimism. Buxton has had a checkered injury history, and indeed this is the same knee that he banged into the outfield wall last Friday. Look for his status to be updated Saturday, but it would be surprising if he returned to action before the All-Star break.

Choi was called up from Triple-A after Friday's game, the Los Angeles Times' Pedro Moura reports.

C.J. Cron suffered a broken hand in Friday's game and was placed on the DL, so Choi will presumably step in and start seeing fairly regular playing time at first base and DH. Choi hit .329/.413/.488 with four home runs in 44 games at Triple-A, but only hit .056 in 24 plate appearances in the big leagues earlier this year.

Buxton left Friday's game in the first inning with a right knee contusion, Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

It was easy to fear the worst after Buxton was carted off the field following a collision with the outfield wall, but it seems he may have avoided a serious injury. The Twins could opt to send Buxton for additional tests to confirm the extent of the injury, but for now, they're labeling him as day-to-day with merely a bruised knee.

Cespedes (quad) left Friday's game against the Nationals with a right quad strain, Adam Rubin of ESPN.com reports.

Cespedes suffered the injury in the third inning when he slid to catch a Ben Revere fly ball in center field. Cespedes was replaced by Juan Lagares in center in the fourth inning. The severity of the strain is uncertain.

Buxton was carted off the field Friday after crashing into the center field wall, Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

The exact nature and full extent of the issue have not yet been disclosed, but it looked like a potentially serious right leg injury for Buxton. It appeared as though he couldn't put any weight on the leg after almost making a fantastic catch to rob Rougned Odor of extra bases in the first inning. Expect an update when the Twins provide more information.