MLB Player News

Blackmon went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in a loss to the Mets on Saturday.

Blackmon brought the Rockies to within a run with his two-run blast in the fifth frame, but that was the last time Colorado was able to score. The homer was Blackmon's second in as many games since he returned from a hamstring injury that resulted in him sitting out three matchups. The veteran outfielder had gone deep just twice over his previous 26 games prior to leaving the park in back-to-back contests.

McCutchen was removed from Saturday's game against the White Sox due to left hamstring discomfort.

McCutchen had gone 2-for-4 with a run scored before his hamstring forced him out of Saturday's game in the ninth inning. The Pirates have officially labeled him as day-to-day, and he may sit out Sunday's game in order to get some extra rest heading into the All-Star break.

Ohtani went 2-for-4 with a home run, two RBI, three runs scored and a stolen base in Saturday's 11-9 extra-inning loss to the Tigers.

Ohtani tripled and scored a run in the first inning and hit the 200th home run of his career in the fifth. He later added an RBI groundout in the sixth and then walked, stole second and scored again in the eighth. With one game to go before the All-Star break, the lefty slugger ranks in the top five in baseball in batting average (.314), home runs (29), runs scored (75), and stolen bases (23) while ranking sixth in RBI with 69.

The Reds transferred Martini (thumb) from the 10-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Saturday.

Martini underwent thumb surgery earlier in the week, and Reds manager David Bell said at the time that the 34-year-old would be out until at least September. His move to the 60-day IL confirms as much, as Martini isn't eligible to be activated until Sept. 6. The move also frees up a spot on Cincinnati's 40-man roster for right-hander Tony Santillan, whose contract was selected from Triple-A Louisville.

Blackmon went 1-for-4 with a walk and a solo home run in Friday's 7-6 loss to the Mets.

The 38-year-old outfielder lofted a Jake Diekman fastball off the facing of the second deck in right field at Citi Field in the eighth inning, one of nine combined homers by the two teams on the night -- the highest single-game total in the majors this season. Blackmon missed the prior three games with a sore hamstring, but he looked healthy in his return as the DH. The blast was his second long ball through eight games in July, and his fifth of the year.

Ozuna went 2-for-4 with a pair of solo home runs in Friday's 6-1 win over the Padres.

This was Ozuna's fourth straight multi-hit game, and he's swatted five homers over his last eight contests. He put up Atlanta's first and last runs in the win. For the year, the slugger is up to 26 homers, 77 RBI, 57 runs scored, 20 doubles and a .301/.377/.584 slash line through 93 games. Ozuna hit a career-high 40 long balls last year and looks to have a decent chance to match that number in 2024.

Blackmon (hamstring) is the DH and batting leadoff Friday against the Mets.

Blackmon has been nursing a sore right hamstring stemming from a sliding catch he made Monday. After spending three straight games on the bench, the 37-year-old is back in the starting nine Friday, although he's still not quite ready for a defensive role. Blackmon is slashing .256/.325/.402 with four homers and five stolen bases over 280 plate appearances this season.

De La Cruz went 3-for-4 with a solo homer in Thursday's loss to the Astros.

De La Cruz jumped on a hanging slider from Jake Bloss in the first inning and launched it into the stands in left field to give Miami an early lead. It marked the outfielder's 16th home run and his fourth three-hit performance of the season. He's batting .294 (10-for-34) in July with four RBI and a run scored. However, Thursday's homer was also De La Cruz's first extra-base hit this month.

Martinez went 3-for-3 with a double, a walk, an RBI and two runs Thursday against the Nationals.

Martinez entered Thursday's contest mired in a 4-for-32 (.125) slump over the previous 10 games, but he reached base four times Friday while collecting just his third three-hit performance of the season. It was also just the second time in 12 games he'd driven in any runs. Despite the recent slump, the 36-year-old Martinez continues to provide quality production in his 14th season, posting a .274 average with 10 homers, 15 doubles, 38 RBI and 27 runs over 234 at-bats.

Pederson is not in Arizona's lineup versus Atlanta on Thursday.

Lefty Max Fried is on the mound for Atlanta, so Pederson will sit on the bench to begin the game. Ketel Marte has the start as the designated hitter and Kevin Newman is entering the lineup at second base.