MLB Player News

Cardinals third baseman Matt Carpenter went 2 for 5 Saturday with a two-run shot, his 24th home run of the season.

It's his third homer, sixth extra-base hit, and third multi-hit performance in his last four games. With the Cardinals having already locked up a playoff spot, Carpenter seems to be heating up at the right time.

Mets outfielder Yoenis Cespedes went 0 for 4 with a strikeout Saturday against the Yankees and is now in an 0 for 17 slide.

A slump should not be that surprising after seeing Cespedes rip the cover off the ball the first five weeks after the Mets acquired him. As a way to snap him out of the slide, the Mets may move Cespedes down in the order, but that is not set in stone.

Twins center fielder Aaron Hicks is not in the lineup for Game 2 of Saturday's doubleheader with the Angels, Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

The 25-year-old has been atop the order for each of the Twins' last 15 games (including Game 1), but will head to the bench following an 0-for-5 showing in Saturday's matinee. Byron Buxton will take over in center while Brian Dozier leads off against right-hander Garrett Richards.

Giants first baseman Brandon Belt was diagnosed with concussion symptoms Saturday and is expected to miss multiple games, Alex Pavlovic of CSN Bay Area reports.

Giants manager Bruce Bochy said Belt likely sustained the head injury during a collision at second base earlier in the week. Belt passed all his preliminary tests, but the concussion symptoms didn't surface until after Friday's game against the Diamondbacks.

Belt missed time with a pair of concussions last season, so expect the Giants to proceed cautiously with him while he deals with yet another setback on that front. Regular catcher Buster Posey is filling in for Belt at first base in Saturday's game, but look for Nick Noonan and perhaps Ehire Adrianza to also see reps at the position if Belt is forced to miss extended time.

Giants first baseman Brandon Belt is out of the lineup for Saturday's game against the Diamondbacks.

This will snap a streak of nine straight starts for Belt, with Buster Posey moving from behind the plate to cover first base. It's not a surprise Belt is getting rest for this game, considering Arizona has left-hander Patrick Corbin on the mound.

Indians outfielder Michael Brantley recorded three base hits and two RBI in Friday's 12-1 win over the White Sox. The lefty-versus-lefty matchup against Chicago's Chris Sale didn't faze Brantley, which has been a trend throughout the season.

Brantley is hitting .305 versus left-handers and has a comparable .323 mark versus righties, though he typically hasn't shown as much power against same-handed pitching.

Cubs outfielder Jorge Soler is in the lineup, playing right field and hitting second, for Saturday's game against the Cardinals. Soler was activated from the DL on Thursday, but will be making his first actual start Saturday.

It could be that he is finally feeling 100 percent and ready to play everyday, but there's also the fact that Joe Maddon sat most of his left-handed hitters, which could have pushed a slightly dinged-up Soler into the lineup. The following few games could be an indication about Soler's true status with the team.

Blue Jays second baseman Ryan Goins went 2 for 4 with one run scored and one RBI in Toronto's win over Boston on Friday night.

He logged a triple and contributed to a balanced Blue Jays' attack. Goins has just five home runs and 41 RBI with a .248 average in part-time duty, but injuries have kept him on the field for much of the season, and with Troy Tulowitzki and Devon Travis hurt, he is likely to see fairly regular duty through the end of the year.

Mets outfielder Yoenis Cespedes will be seeking a contract of at least six years when he becomes a free agent after the season, Marly Rivera of ESPN New York reports.

This demand is not a big surprise, as it's in line with what many in the industry believe Cespedes should be able to garner as a free agent. Cespedes could receive a deal between $125-160 million, depending on the length of the contract. Since joining the Mets, Cespedes has hit .295 with 17 home runs and 42 RBI and New York is 30-13 in that span.

Twins outfielder Byron Buxton is not in the lineup Friday against the Angels.

Whereas some other top prospects like Carlos Correa and Corey Seager have hit the ground running following their promotions to the majors, Buxton has been slow to get up to speed at the highest level. Since his return to Minnesota in mid-August, Buxton has gone just 16-for-78 (.205 average) with five doubles, three walks and 24 strikeouts. His absence Friday marks his third straight.