MLB Player News

Ozuna went 1-for-5 with a two-run home run in Monday's win over the Rangers.

Texas sent backup catcher Sandy Leon to the mound in the ninth inning with Atlanta ahead 10-0, and Ozuna rubbed a little salt in the wound by putting a batting-practice fastball into the second deck in left field. The 32-year-old slugger continues his impressive May, batting .300 (12-for-40) on the month with six of his eight homers and 12 of his 14 RBI.

Meneses went 4-for-5 with three doubles and four RBI in Monday's 10-3 win over the Mets.

Meneses' first RBI double opened the scoring in the bottom of the first, and his second put the Nationals back on top 2-1. He struck out his third time up but responded with a run-scoring, infield single in the sixth and extended Washington's lead to 10-2 with another RBI double in the eighth. Monday's performance marked Meneses' third four-hit game of the season, but it was his first outing of the year with multiple extra-base knocks. The 31-year-old is slashing .300/.328/.394 across 40 games (177 plate appearances) and is proving his breakout 2022 campaign wasn't a fluke.

Morel went 1-for-5 with a three-run home run in Monday's loss to the Astros.

Morel struck out in his other four at-bats, but fantasy managers won't mind the swings and misses as long as he's hitting the ball out of the park. The 23-year-old now has four home runs in six games since getting recalled from Triple-A. The Cubs almost certainly will keep Morel's hot bat in the lineup, especially if Cody Bellinger has to miss any time after leaving Monday's game with a leg injury following a diving catch. Morel shifted over from left field to center to cover for Bellinger after he departed.

Pederson was placed on the 10-day injured list with a right-hand contusion by the Giants on Monday, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Pederson hurt his right hand while squaring up for a bunt attempt against the Diamondbacks on Friday, and there wasn't enough progress made in the last few days for him to avoid a trip to the injured list. It could be a minimum stint for the outfielder, but he'll miss at least a week after being placed on the injured list retroactive to May 13. Mike Yastrzemski (hamstring) came off the 10-day IL in a corresponding transaction.

Pederson (hand) will be unavailable for Monday's game against the Phillies, Danny Emerman of KNBR 680 San Francisco reports.

Manager Gabe Kapler stated that Pederson is still too sore to take the field, and he'll miss his third consecutive matchup after being struck by a pitch on his right hand on a bunt attempt. J.D. Davis could once again man the designated hitter spot with Pederson out of commission.

Ruf signed a one-year contract with the Brewers on Monday.

Milwaukee opened up a spot for Ruf on the 26-man active roster by placing Luke Voit (neck) on the 10-day injured list. While Voit is on the shelf, Ruf should assume his duties as a short-side platoon option at first base or designated hitter. Ruf has a career .886 OPS versus left-handed pitching, although he hasn't been as effective against southpaws the last two seasons.

Blackmon went 2-for-4 with a double and two runs scored Sunday against the Phillies.

Blackmon reached base to lead off the bottom of the first inning and came around to score. He later doubled in the fifth frame to tally his second run of the game. Blackmon receives regular days off but has been productive across 33 at-bats in May, collecting 10 hits, six RBI and six runs scored. While his home park helps, five of the nine games in that span have come on the road.

Vogelbach is out of the starting lineup Monday versus the Nationals.

Vogelbach will take a seat for a second game in a row as the Mets face left-hander Patrick Corbin in the series finale. Pete Alonso will take over at designated hitter while Mark Canha handles first base and Tommy Pham enters the lineup in left field.

Morel went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Sunday's 16-3 loss to the Twins.

Morel's homer came in the fourth inning with the Cubs already trailing 8-0. The 23-year-old has hit safely in five straight games since his call-up Monday from Triple-A Iowa. He started in center field Sunday after making three starts at second base and one as the designated hitter. Morel is batting .381 with three homers, six RBI, five runs scored, a double and one stolen base in two attempts through 21 plate appearances.

Harper was ejected from Sunday's game against the Rockies, Alex Coffey of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Colorado reliever Jake Bird appeared to chirp toward the Philadelphia dugout after recording the final out of the seventh inning, and Harper was the first player onto the field as benches cleared, resulting in the ejections of both players. The veteran slugger went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts prior to the ejection.