MLB Player News

Cespedes (leg) is out of the lineup for Saturday's game against the Braves.

Cespedes has been hampered by a leg bruise of late and he reaggravated it Friday, causing him to leave the game. He told reporters after Friday's game that he hoped to be back in the lineup Saturday, but manager Terry Collins will take the cautious approach and hold him out. Juan Lagares will take over in center field Saturday against Jhoulys Chacin and the Braves.

Buxton is out of the lineup Saturday, the Star Tribune's LaVelle Neal reports.

Few MLB hitters are scuffling at the plate to the extent that Buxton is, and he had a non-competitive at-bat with the bases loaded Friday, where he struck out on three pitches. He has seven strikeouts and two hits (both for extra bases) over his last 14 at-bats, and could be nearing a demotion to Triple-A. Max Kepler, a prospect with less upside, but perhaps more polish, will get the start in center field and hit seventh Saturday.

Manager Pete Mackanin said Ruf might play the entire series against the Brewers this weekend, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Peter Bourjos is expected to sit this weekend while he works on his approach at the plate. Ruf got the start in left field Friday and went 1-for-4 with a RBI. The Phillies are not scheduled to see a lefty this weekend, so Ruf should see two more starts in left field. If he has some success against righties, it could lead to additional playing time.

Brantley (shoulder) could rejoin the Indians as soon as Monday if an evaluation Sunday goes well, MLB.com reports.

Brantley is scheduled to play the second of consecutive games Saturday before being re-evaluated by the team's medical staff Sunday at which point he could be activated off the DL for Monday.

Cespedes (bruised leg) said he hopes to play in Saturday's game, but he was also walking around with a noticeable limp after exiting Friday's game against the Braves, The Record's Matt Ehalt reports.

The team will likely evaluate Cespedes prior to Saturday's game and make a final call on his availability, but it sounds like he could miss a game or two after reaggravating a leg bruise in Friday's game. Juan Lagares could start in his place if Cespedes is ruled out, or the Mets could go offense-first and give Alejandro De Aza the start.

Cespedes reaggravated a bruise on his right leg Friday against the Braves and was removed from the game, the Star-Ledger's Maria Guardado reports.

He suffered a bruise jumping into the stands earlier this week, and must have aggravated it in the field or on the bases Friday. The game was delayed due to poor weather in the middle of the eighth inning, but one of Juan Lagares or Alejandro De Aza figure to take his place in center field. Consider Cespedes day-to-day for now.

Stanton is back in the lineup for Friday's game against the Giants.

After getting his first day off of the season Thursday, Stanton will get back into the order at the cleanup spot for the Marlins' series opener in San Francisco. Stanton had been slumping a bit by his standards leading into his day off, batting .217 over the last week. He'll be facing San Francisco right-hander Jeff Samardzija.

Ruf is starting in left field and batting seventh for Friday's game against the Brewers, Jim Salisbury of CSN Philly reports.

With a right-hander on the mound, Ryan Howard will assume his normal position at first base but Ruf will receive a rare start in the outfield, as the Phillies attempt to bolster their offense in any way possible. Ruf has been used sparingly as a pinch-hitter over the past few games, but did go 1-for-3 with a double in his last start against the Nationals.

Miller is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Yankees, Roger Mooney of the Tampa Tribune reports.

Tim Beckham will make his second straight start at shortstop with the Rays facing another lefty in CC Sabathia. Miller figures to continue starting against right-handers for the time being, but he is off to a miserable start against opposite-handed pitching with three hits and nine strikeouts in 32 at-bats.

Soler is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Reds.

Javier Baez will start at third base, shifting Kris Bryant to Soler's usual spot in left field for the day. Soler is just 1-for-14 over the last five games so a day off to recuperate could prove beneficial.