MLB Player News

Blackmon (hand) said Friday that he expects to wear a cast for two more weeks, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

Blackmon had indicated a couple weeks ago that he thought he could beat his initial timetable of a late July return, but it now it doesn't sound like that will happen. The veteran suffered a fractured right hand in mid-June.

Phillies manager Rob Thomson suggested Friday that Harper could see action at first base before the All-Star break, Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Harper has been limited to DH duties following a swifter than expected return in early May from Tommy John surgery, but he's been getting pregame reps at first base and is about ready to make his defensive debut at the position. The two-time NL MVP has never made a start at first base at any level of pro ball, but if he's able to handle the assignment it will greatly help Thomson's game-to-game lineup construction, and the additional eligibility would be a welcome boost to Harper's fantasy profile.

Martinez went 4-for-6 with a home run, four RBI and two runs scored in Thursday's 14-3 win over the Rockies.

Martinez led the Dodgers, accounting for four of their 18 hits in the blowout win. The designated hitter's biggest contribution was a two-run blast in the fourth inning to put the visitors in control. He's gone 14-for-46 (.304) over his last 11 games. The 35-year-old is up to a .267/.310/.586 slash line, 19 homers, 55 RBI, 37 runs scored and a stolen base through 64 contests on the year.

Pederson is playing left field and batting third Thursday versus the Blue Jays.

Pederson has been pressed into outfield duty for the first time this season after Michael Conforto was forced from Wednesday's game due to left hamstring tightness. Patrick Bailey is serving as the Giants' designated hitter Thursday and Blake Sabol will start behind the plate.

Carpenter is not in the lineup for Thursday's game versus the Pirates.

Carpenter started Wednesday's game after being on the bench for eight straight, but he's now riding the pine again Thursday even with the Pirates starting a righty (Luis Ortiz). After putting up a .908 OPS in April, the 37-year-old has just a .497 OPS and 33 percent strikeout rate in the two months since. Because Carpenter doesn't provide value with the glove and has been in a deep slump at the plate for a while, his roster spot wouldn't seem to be secure at this point.

Vogelbach is out of the lineup Wednesday versus the Brewers.

Mark Canha will serve as the Mets' designated hitter with left-hander Wade Miley taking the mound for Milwaukee. Vogelbach is 0-for-9 in very limited action this year versus southpaws.

Meneses is not in the lineup Wednesday against the Mariners, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Meneses will take a day of physical and mental rest after going 0-for-5 with four strikeouts Tuesday. Keibert Ruiz is serving as the Nationals' designated hitter Wednesday and Riley Adams will start behind the plate.

Martinez went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer and a solo homer scored in Tuesday's 5-0 win over Colorado.

Martinez took advantage of the Colorado altitude, launching a two-run home run off Connor Seabold in the third inning and a solo shot off Brad Hand to lead off the sixth. The outing marked his third multi-homer performance on the year and broke a 12-game home run drought -- his second longest of the season -- to push his season total to 18 long balls. After recording a disappointing 16 home runs over 139 games last season with Boston, Martinez has already surpassed his 2022 total in 62 games and is on pace to come near his career high of 45 round trippers.

Vogelbach went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run during Tuesday's 7-2 win against the Brewers.

The 30-year-old went deep Tuesday for the third time in his past nine games after hitting just two long balls in his first 47 contests of the season. Vogelbach sat out for a week earlier in June in order to work on his swing, and he's gone 9-for-32 with a double, three homers, nine RBI and five runs since rejoining the lineup.

Winker isn't in the Brewers' lineup Tuesday against the Mets.

Winker is slashing just .143/.250/.286 across 24 plate appearances since returning from the injured list June 17, and he'll retreat to the bench against left-hander David Peterson. Willy Adames will fill in as Milwaukee's designated hitter, opening a spot for Andruw Monasterio to start at shortstop and bat ninth.