MLB Player News

The Marlins opted to go with prospect Marcell Ozuna over uber-prospect Christian Yelich with Giancarlo Stanton on the DL. That's their prerogative.

But as a Fantasy owner, I'd be much more excited if they had gone the Yelich route. Baseball America did rank Ozuna 75th among all prospects coming into the season, but more because of his tools than his production. As a 22-year-old with plate discipline issues who hit only .266 at Class A last year, he's likely to struggle regardless of what kind of start he got off to at Double-A Jacksonville.

He may run into a few home runs just because of his raw power, but ultimately, I think the Marlins will want to swap him out for Yelich, who appeared to be the more major league-ready of the two with a .364 batting average and 1.269 OPS in 44 spring at-bats. And it may happen even before Stanton returns.

If you dropped the Giants' Brandon Belt because of his slow start, you're not alone. In leagues where he was affordable enough for me to draft him, I've had to part ways with him because of limited roster space.

But I'm keeping an eye on him. Another slow start doesn't negate his good work late last season, nor does it make him a lost cause at age 25. In fact, you could explain it all away with that early season illness that caused him to lose 10 pounds. He fell behind early, put pressure on himself to catch up and only now is coming around with a .409 (9 for 22) batting average and two home runs in his last seven games.

Maybe. It's too early for me to rush out and grab him again, but it won't take much. Dropping a player isn't the same as giving up on him, and he's a perfect example why.

Marlins rookie outfielder Marcell Ozuna was immediately placed in the starting lineup Tuesday against the Mets following his promotion from Double-A Jacksonville. Ozuna started in right field and hit sixth behind center fielder Justin Ruggiano.

Ozuna is expected to see the bulk of playing time in right field with Giancarlo Stanton on the disabled list.

"We just saw him play at Double-A. He’s looked good," Marlins president of baseball operations Larry Beinfest said, per The Palm Beach Post. "Defensively, he’s very good. We have a choice of outfielders, but right now, Marcell is the guy."

Giants manager Bruce Bochy dropped Brandon Belt into the eighth spot in the lineup Monday at Arizona for the first time this season since Belt had a poor track record against starting pitcher Ian Kennedy. It didn't seem to bother Belt.

The first baseman homered off Kennedy, who he had been 2 for 15 (.133) against coming into Monday's game, and broke open a 4-all tie with a two-run single in the eighth inning, lifting the Giants to a 6-4 win. 

"I liked it tonight," Belt said of batting eighth, per MLB.com. "I don't know if it's the ideal position. As a hitter you want to try to move your way up through the order."

Belt, who hit his second home run, appears to be emerging from a early season slump. Belt has hit safely in six of his last seven games, producing a .409 average (9 for 22), one double, two home runs and six RBI. He's sent his batting average surging from .183 to .244.

Mets infielder Justin Turner, who started at third base for the injured David Wright (neck), tied a season-high with three hits Monday against the Marlins. Turner, who has accomplished the feat three times this season, finished 3 for 5 with one double and one walk.

Turner is batting .368 (14 for 38) with three doubles and four RBI in 15 games. Turner has made just seven starts through 24 games and Monday was the first time he started at third base.

Indians outfielder Michael Brantley went 3 for 5 with two doubles in Cleveland's 9-0 romp Monday over Kansas City.

Brantley scored twice and raised his line to .291/.371/.372. Power has been slow to come for Brantley -- he now has six extra-base hits but is still without a home run. He has just 13 home runs over the past two seasons (1,003 at-bats), so a month-long home run drought isn't particularly out of the ordinary for Brantley.

Marlins outfield prospect Marcell Ozuna was promoted to the majors late Monday night in the wake of Giancarlo Stanton's hamstring injury, despite Ozuna having played in just 14 games this season. Ozuna got off to a late start because he suffered a fractured left hand this spring.

However, Ozuna appeared to be more in tune with his swing than fellow Double-A Jacksonville outfielder Christian Yelich, who is widely regarded as the Marlins' top prospect after Jose Fernandez's early season promotion to the majors. Ozuna was batting .333 (14 for 42) with one triple, three doubles, five home runs and 15 RBI in 10 games for Jacksonville.

Ozuna is considered a top 10 prospect in the Marlins' organization by Baseball America (No. 5) and MLB.com (No. 6). 

"Let him go out there and (hack) away and see what he does," manager Mike Redmond said, per the Sun-Sentinel. "Ozuna is an exciting player. Hopefully he'll come up and provide a spark."

The Marlins announced on Monday that Marcell Ozuna and Brad Hand will be recalled from Triple-A New Orleans. 

The Marlins placed outfielder Giancarlo Stanton on the 15-day disabled list after Monday's contest against the Mets. Stanton suffered a strained right hamstring during the game.

He's scheduled to undergo an MRI on Tuesday.

Marcell Ozuna will be recalled from Triple-A New Orleans to take his spot on the roster.

Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton was diagnosed with a strained right hamstring, the team announced.

Stanton left Monday's series opener against the Mets in the 10th inning after injuring his hamstring while running the bases. He immediately fell to the ground before gingerly walking off the field with the team's trainer.

Stanton went 0 for 5 with two strikeouts prior to leaving the game and there has been no timetable announced for his return.