MLB Player News

Giants first baseman Brandon Belt remains out of the lineup Saturday against Oakland. He has not played since Sept. 18.

Belt continues to deal with concussion symptoms and with no definite return in sight. He had been on an eight-game hitting streak before losing it in the last game he played.

Cardinals third Matt Carpenter went 2 for 5 with a double, an RBI and a stolen base in a 4-3 loss to Milwaukee on Friday.

It's been quite a season for the Cardinals third baseman, as he has a career-high 26 home runs and 81 RBI. He's been especially hot over his last 10 games, hitting .400 with five home runs and six doubles in that span. He is far more valuable at second base and that eligibility alone will alter his draft status greatly going into next season.

Indians left fielder Michael Brantley was scratched from Friday's lineup.

Brantley was initially penciled in to return to the lineup after a two-game absence due to a shoulder injury, but has since been scratched. The Indians announced that Brantley did not suffer any setbacks, but opted to give him an extra day of rest before returning to the lineup, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Rockies center fielder Charlie Blackmon (neck) is back in the lineup Friday against the Dodgers, Eric Stephen of True Blue LA reports.

Blackmon missed a pair of games with neck stiffness, but he was able to get through batting practice Friday without any setbacks. He'll be back in his usual spot in center field and leading off.

Indians outfielder Michael Brantley (shoulder) is back in the lineup Friday against the Royals.

After missing the previous two games with a right shoulder injury, Brantley apparently improved enough for manager Terry Francona to slot him back into the lineup. The 28-year-old will man his usual left field duties and bat third.

Indians left fielder Michael Brantley (shoulder) is improving but still might be held out of the lineup Friday in Kansas City, per the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

"He's doing better," Terry Francona said. "He hit in the cage (Thursday). I don't know if he'll play Friday, but I guess the fact that we're even thinking about it means that he's getting closer."

Brantley's missed the last two games but looks to be a factor at some point over the weekend as Cleveland tries desperately to stay in the playoff hunt.

Indians outfielder Michael Brantley (shoulder) is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Twins.

Brantley will sit out for the second straight day due to the shoulder injury he suffered in Tuesday's game. Mike Aviles will get another start in left field in Brantley's place.

Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner (knee) is back in the lineup and hitting third Thursday, SB Nation's Eric Stephen reports. 

After missing four games with the knee issue, Turner returns as one of the only Dodgers regulars in Thursday's lineup.

Manager Don Mattingly said Turner won't play every day over the rest of the regular season as the Dodgers hope to have him fresh for a run in October.

Rockies outfielder Charlie Blackmon (neck) is out of the lineup Thursday, The Denver Post reports. 

He will miss his second straight game with neck stiffness. Corey Dickerson will slide over to center field with Kyle Parker getting the start in right field.

Cardinals third baseman Matt Carpenter went 2 for 3 with two home runs and four runs batted in, guiding St. Louis to a 10-2 win over the Reds. 

Carpenter took opposing pitcher Brandon Finnegan deep in the third and fifth innings, providing his fifth and sixth home runs of the year against left-handed pitching. The 29-year-old has showed off his power lately, hitting five home runs in his last 31 at-bats.