MLB Player News

Dodgers center fielder Joc Pederson is back in the starting lineup for Thursday's game against the Rangers.

Pederson didn't start Wednesday's game but entered the game as a pinch-hitter and went 1 for 2 with a walk.

Pederson is hitting .333 with five hits and four walks in his last five games.

Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said Thursday infielder Ryan Goins will get spot starts at second base, shortstop, third base and in the outfield once second baseman Devon Travis comes off the disabled list, per TSN.ca.

Goins has been on a nice run offensively as of late, batting .381 (8 for 21) with one home run, three doubles and nine RBI in his last six games.

Twins center fielder Byron Buxton hasn't done much offensively since his highly anticipated promotion from the minors. Entering play Thursday, he was batting .154 (2 for 13) in four games.

As much as the Twins want to be patient with the 2012 first-round pick, they are in the thick of AL Central race and need Buxton to iron out his swing quickly.

"You bring a kid up without any track record and you're evaluating him on a daily basis," Twins general manager Terry Ryan said, per the Pioneer Press. "I'm not going to tell you he's on a short leash, but I certainly do look for production, just like anybody else.

"He's starting out with a little bit of a shaky approach. Maybe he'll start to adjust and get it going. Hopefully, that'll be the case."

Buxton has made an impact defensively, and he seems confident his offensive game will turn around.

"I'm getting a little bit more comfortable up there," Buxton said. "I'm seeing pitches a little bit better and I'm starting to take a whack at it."

Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera launched his 15th home run of the season, a three-run shot off Johnny Cueto in the sixth inning of Wednesday's loss to the Reds. It was Cabrera's only hit of the game, but it gave the Tigers a temporary 3-2 lead in the game.

It was Cabera's fourth home run over his last 10 games, as he continues to rake at the dish this season.

Dodgers center fielder Joc Pederson is not in the starting lineup for Wednesday's clash with the Rangers. Pederson had started all but one of the last 29 games for the Dodgers, but with lefty Wandy Rodriguez on the mound, manager Don Mattingly opted to give the young outfielder the night off.

With Pederson out of the lineup, Chris Heisey will make the start in center field on Wednesday. 

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper went 3 for 3 at the plate to help lead the Nationals to a 16-4 win over the Rays on Tuesday.

Harper drove in his only run of the game when he hit his 22nd home run of the season off Josh Riefenhauser in the fifth inning. He also walked once.

Over his last 14 games, Harper is 20 for 48 with four home runs and nine RBI.

Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner blasted his sixth home run of the season during Tuesday's 3-2 loss to the Rangers.

Turner tied the game with the home run in the ninth inning, but the Dodgers lost in the bottom of the inning. The two-run shot was Turner's only hit in four at-bats during the contest.

Prior to Tuesday's contest, Turner was hitting .450 with four RBI in his last seven games.

Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton hit his 24th home run of the season in Tuesday night's 12-2 victory over the Yankees. 

Stanton hit the three-run bomb in the bottom of the fifth inning. Stanton finished the game 2 for 4 with three RBI and two runs scored. Over his past 10 games, Stanton is hitting .444 and now has recorded a hit in nine straight games. 

Stanton is hitting .265/.351/.616 this season. 

Tigers right fielder J.D. Martinez went 1 for 4 in Tuesday's loss to Cincinnati. 

The single extended Martinez's hitting streak to 10 games. He's hitting .333 with 1.031 OPS over the streak. 

Tigers left fielder Yoenis Cespedes went 1 for 4 in Tuesday's loss to Cincinnati. 

Cespides drove in a run, his 35th of the year, and hit into a double play. 

The single extended Cespedes' hitting streak to 10 games. He's hitting .436 with a 1.117 OPS over the streak.