MLB Player News

Ozuna is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Mets, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

With the top two teams in the National League East closing their series with a day game after a night game, Atlanta manager Brian Snitker decided it was an ideal time to give Ozuna some time off. Adam Duvall will start in left field and Eddie Rosario will serve as Atlanta's designated hitter while Ozuna heads to the bench for the first time since June 19.

Mercedes went 3-for-4 with a home run, a double, a walk, four RBI and three runs scored in Tuesday's 13-0 win over the Diamondbacks.

Mercedes opened the scoring with an RBI double in the first inning. He added a two-run blast in the second and another RBI on a groundout in the eighth. The 29-year-old has produced two multi-hit efforts in nine games since his most recent recall from Triple-A Sacramento. He's now batting .296 with a homer, four RBI, five runs scored and three doubles in 31 plate appearances through his first 11 contests with the Giants.

Blackmon went 2-for-4 with a three-run home run in Tuesday's 5-3 win over the Padres.

Blackmon went deep off Padres starter Mike Clevinger in the sixth inning, and that was enough to earn the Rockies a win. With multiple hits in three straight games, Blackmon is back in a groove at the plate. The 36-year-old is up to a .271/.324/.475 slash line with 14 homers, 50 RBI, 45 runs scored and two stolen bases through 79 contests as he remains a near-everyday fixture in the heart of the order. He's tended to run a bit hot-and-cold at times, but he can be productive at home, where he's hitting .299 this season.

Rooker was optioned to Triple-A El Paso on Tuesday, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Rooker joined the big-league club Friday and will return to the minors after going 0-for-7 with four strikeouts in two appearances. Esteury Ruiz was promoted from El Paso in a corresponding move.

Belt is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game versus the Diamondbacks, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Belt returned from a one-game absence Monday and went 3-for-3 with a double, but he'll return to the bench Tuesday since southpaw Dallas Keuchel is on the mound for Arizona. Darin Ruf will start at first base in his place.

Pederson is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Diamondbacks, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Pederson will take a seat Tuesday for the second time in the past three games with lefty Dallas Keuchel pitching for Arizona. Yermin Mercedes, Austin Slater and Luis Gonzalez will start from left to right in the outfield.

Morel is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Orioles.

Rafael Ortega and David Bote will make starts in center field and at second base, respectively, the two positions that Morel has been moving between of late. With Ortega hitting well in his recent starts, the keystone is likely where Morel will find most of his opportunities going forward, assuming he can break out of his funk at the plate. After a hot start to his big-league career, Morel has fallen back to earth a bit with a .182 average and a 39.5 percent strikeout rate thus far in July. The rookie has been able to salvage some value by homering twice and driving in five runs through his first 10 games this month.

Vogelbach is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Marlins.

Since lefty Daniel Castano is on the hill and the lefty-hitting Vogelbach started in each of the previous three games, manager Derek Shelton likely viewed Tuesday as a good opportunity to give Vogelbach a breather. Yoshi Tsutsugo will serve as the Pirates' designated hitter.

Belt (knee) went 3-for-3 with a double in Monday's 4-3 loss to the Diamondbacks.

Belt missed Sunday's game with knee tenderness, but it was never expected to be a long-term absence. The first baseman was perfect at the plate Monday in his second straight multi-hit effort before he was lifted for pinch hitter Austin Slater in the eighth inning. Belt has gone 6-for-7 across his last three games. He's still batting a mediocre .232, but he's posted a .745 OPS with six home runs, five doubles, 15 RBI, 19 runs scored and a stolen bases in 48 contests. Belt should continue to play regularly versus right-handed pitchers, but he's often been on the bench against southpaws.

Ruf isn't starting Monday's game against the Diamondbacks, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Ruf went 1-for-5 with a run and two strikeouts during Sunday's series finale against the Padres, and he'll be out of the lineup for the second time in the last three games. Brandon Belt is serving as the designated hitter while Luis Gonzalez enters the lineup in right field.