MLB Player News

Pederson hit the game-winning two-run home run in Sunday's 3-1 victory over the Giants.

The 23-year-old is off to a nice start in his second full season -- he's slashing .257/.316/.514 through the first two weeks. Pederson's numbers at this point are slightly above where they were last year at this time, which is an encouraging sign that the young outfielder is making strides.

Buxton (hand) entered Sunday's win over the Angels as a pinch runner in the eighth inning and went 0-for-2 with a stolen base when the game went to extra innings.

Buxton had been out since Thursday after being hit by a pitch on the hand. It looks like he could return to the lineup Monday.

Carpenter went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk in Sunday's game versus the Reds.

The lefty tied the game in the fifth inning when he bashed his second home run of the season, and he has now accounted for 10 RBI and eight runs scored over the last eight games. Carpenter's average still sits at a modest .250, but he is hitting the ball with authority and continues to get on base, as his .911 OPS will illustrate.

McCutchen went deep Sunday for his second homer in as many days against Milwaukee.

Unfortunately for fantasy owners, the solo home run was his lone hit in six official at-bats -- he twice was retired with the bases loaded. McCutchen is also still looking for his first stolen base after being thrown out for the second time in two attempts Sunday.

The Indians are hopeful that Brantley will be able to play in consecutive games at some point this week which should clear him for a return date soon thereafter, MLB.com reports.

Brantley's soonest activation would appear to be around Wednesday of this week but that's far from certain at this point as he's yet to see action in back-to-back days during his rehab thus far.

Martinez went 1-for-4 with a solo homer Sunday at the Astros.

Martinez's second blast of the season brought the Tigers within a run in the sixth inning of a game they'd go on to lose. Although he's now hit safely in three straight games, he only has three hits in his last 14 at-bats. Despite the mini-slump, his batting average remains a stellar .372.

Harper went 2-for-4 with a solo homer and a walk Sunday at Philadelphia.

Harper's blast in the 10th inning could've been a game-winner had Jonathan Papelbon not blown the save in the bottom of the frame. In any case, Harper has been absolutely on fire, as he's homered in four straight games along with multi-hit efforts in his last three contests.

Buxton (hand) isn't in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Angels, MLB.com's Rhett Bollinger reports.

It's the third game in a row Buxton has missed after getting hit in the hand Thursday. Fortunately for the young outfielder, it doesn't look like the hand injury will result in a DL stint, as he's come off the bench as a defensive replacement or pinch-runner in each of the last three games. Buxton was able to resume taking batting practice Saturday, so he could be cleared to start again as soon as Monday's series opener with the Brewers.

Cespedes, who has been the designated hitter the last three games, including Sunday, due to some bruising on his legs suffered when he jumped into the stands after a flyball Wednesday, should be able to play the outfield Monday against the Phillies, Adam Rubin of ESPN New York reports.

Cespedes and the Mets have benefited from some favorable scheduling, with the team in Cleveland this weekend. The sore legs haven't impacted his swing, as he blasted home runs Friday and Saturday.

Soler was 2-for-4 with a solo homer in Saturday's 6-2 victory over the Rockies.

The Cuban-born slugger went back-to-back with Anthony Rizzo in leaving the yard in the fourth against starter Christan Bergman. Soler is seemingly awakening from a slow start to the season, reaching base safely in four straight and posting multi-hit outings in two of his last three starts.