MLB Player News

Belt (oblique) isn't starting Saturday's game against the Cubs, Mark W. Sanchez of KNBR 680 San Francisco reports.

Belt took batting practice Thursday and could return to action for Sunday's series finale, but he'll remain out of the lineup Saturday. LaMonte Wade will start at first base and lead off.

Mercedes isn't starting Saturday's game against the Tigers.

Mercedes will get a breather after he went 1-for-26 with two runs, two RBI and four walks across his last eight games. Yasmani Grandal will serve as the designated hitter while Zack Collins starts at catcher.

Dickerson went 1-for-1 with a three-run home run and two walks in Friday's win over the Cubs.

Dickerson did all of his damage in the second inning with a three-run shot off Jake Arrieta as part of a six-run inning for the Giants, though he also reached base two more times. He seems to be getting out of a prolonged slump that saw him go 0-for-13 between May 26 and June 1, as he has recorded three hits over his last five at-bats.

Harper (forearm) was reinstated from the 10-day injured list Saturday.

Harper's swelling in his forearm recently decreased, and he'll be now be available to return ahead of Saturday's game against the Nationals. The 28-year-old is slashing .274/.395/.489 with seven home runs, 25 runs and 13 RBI this year, and he'll reclaim his starting role going forward.

Ohtani (2-1) earned the win against Seattle on Friday, pitching six innings and allowing two runs on four hits and no walks while striking out 10.

Ohtani's outing started out poorly as J.P. Crawford stung him for a leadoff home run. However, the right-hander bounced back with a solid six innings, allowing only one more run while tying his season high with 10 strikeouts. Ohtani has registered a quality start in three of his past four appearances, posting a 30:7 K:BB across 23.2 innings over that stretch. He is expected to make his next start at Arizona next weekend.

Canha went 2-for-3 with a home run, a double, two walks, two total runs and two total RBI in Friday's 9-5 win over Colorado.

Canha went deep to right field in the third inning to extend Oakland's early lead to three runs. He notched another RBI in the sixth inning on a double to deep center field. Over his past past three games, Canha has gone 5-for-14 with six RBI.

Ruf (hamstring) will miss "at least the next three weeks," Mark W. Sanchez of KNBR 680 San Francisco reports.

Ruf was diagnosed with a Grade 2 hamstring strain at the end of May, and the injury has a 3-to-4 week recovery timeline. Manager Gabe Kapler provided an update on the 34-year-old's status Friday, and he'll likely be sidelined until at least the latter end of his recovery timetable.

Harper has decreased swelling in his forearm but isn't ready to be activated from the injured list, Matt Breen of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

The 28-year-old was eligible to return from the injured list Wednesday, but he'll need more than the 10-day minimum to recover from a forearm contusion. Harper remains without an official timeline for his return, but based on comments from manager Joe Girardi, the outfielder is unlikely to be activated this weekend.

Brantley (hamstring) is expected to return during the Astros' upcoming series in Boston, which begins Tuesday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Brantley is already eligible to return from the injured list, but he'll need at least a few more days before he's ready to go. Chas McCormick has handled left field in his absence, but Brantley should reclaim his everyday role as soon as he's healthy.

Choi was placed on the 10-day injured list Friday with a left groin strain. The move is retroactive to June 3.

Manager Kevin Cash said Thursday the 31-year-old's groin issue hadn't improved after receiving treatment, so it's not a major surprise he's ending up on the injured list. Choi doesn't have an official timeline for his return, but he'll be eligible to be activated June 13. He underwent an MRI on Friday but feels better and is optimistic that he'll have a short IL stint, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports. Yandy Diaz should handle the bulk of the reps at first base in the meantime for Tampa Bay.