MLB Player News

Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner has taken advantage of increased playing time with a run of multi-hit games.

Turner has smacked two hits in five of the last six games he's played with four runs and three RBI. The result is an average that has increased from .252 to a season-high .285 and a peaked-out on-base percentage of .338 and slugging percentage of .401.

Marlins rookie outfielder Marcell Ozuna is still striking out like crazy, but he has certainly been productuve when he does make contact.

Ozuna has fanned at least once in every game since May 2. His strikeout total in nine games since then is 16, but yet he is 12 for 39 in June with two home runs, six RBI and six runs.

His stat line on the year is .266/.310/.441. He's on pace to drive in 100 runs this season.

Rockies right fielder Charlie Blackmon had not had a hit since June 7 entering play Thursday. He sure busted out in a big way against Atlanta.

Blackmon cut loose from his slump with a solo home run in the third and added two doubles, including a two-RBI job in the eighth that capped the rout. The leadoff hitter now has 12 homers and 43 RBI on the season.

Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera returned to the field Thursday.

Cabrera has been limited by hamstring issues over the past few days, but was able to serve as the team's designated hitter recently. He's apparently recovered enough to play the field Thursday. Cabrera is hitting .326/.375/.572 over 236 at-bats.

A week after claiming minor league outfielder Darin Ruf avoided any breaks or fractures in his right knee or left wrist following an outfield collision on June 2, the Phillies have announced that he indeed has a small fracture in the wrist.

General manager Ruben Amaro, however, told the Philadelphia Daily News that the diagnosis does not change the timetable of Ruf's eventual return to baseball activities. The team has yet to pinpoint a return date.

Athletics slugger Yoenis Cespedes remained torrid at the plate Wednesday against the Angels. He extended his hitting streak to nine games, during which he owns a .366 average, with a three-hit performance.

One of those hits was a double, but it was his two singles that drove in runs. Cespedes has raised his average to .261, it's highest point since May 18.

Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen filled up the stat line Wednesday, going 2 for 2 with two walks, one home run, two RBI and one stolen base in his team's 4-2 win over the Cubs.

McCutchen gave his team a quick lead with a two-run home run in the first inning, and he would reach safely in each of his successive plate appearances Wednesday. He has hit .318/.434/.542 with 10 home runs, 35 RBI and eight stolen bases in 236 at-bats.

Despite getting a break with a rainout Tuesday night, Tigers slugger Miguel Cabrera was slotted as designated hitter for the Wednesday game against the White Sox. Brad Ausmus is being careful with his tight left hamstring, according to MLB.com.

"He said it felt even better today, but that's all right," Ausmus told MLB.com. "We can give him another day to DH and see if the leg is ready to go go (Thursday), play first base."

Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera blasted a 431-foot homer against the White Sox on Monday, but the slugger continues to deal with tightness in his left hamstring. "It felt better than (Sunday)," Cabrera told MLive.com. "But the last couple innings it started to get tight again. Hopefully, I can play on the field (Tuesday) and I get loose and go out there and play."

Cabrera is hitting .329 with 12 homers and 52 RBI.

Indians outfielder Michael Brantley was part of a huge offensive night Monday, going 3 for 3 with two walks, one home run, one RBI and five runs scored in his team's 17-7 win over the Rangers.

Brantley hadn't homered since May 19 before blasting a solo shot in the fourth inning that'll be remembered as a footnote to third baseman Lonnie Chisenhall's huge performance. The outfielder has hit .307/.373/.498 with 10 home runs, 43 RBI and eight stolen bases in 241 at-bats.