MLB Player News

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts stated recently that Turner will spend more time as designated hitter while Max Muncy sees more work at third base moving forward, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Though Turner has been playing better of late, he hasn't hit to his usual standards so far this season, slashing just .207/.265/.364 with four homers through 140 at-bats. Muncy has struggled even more, slashing just .157/.327/.276 with three homers in 154 plate appearances. Roberts suggested that the change is meant to help both veterans settle into a consistent role, likely in hopes that such a move will jumpstart their bats. "I think getting each of those guys more accustomed to a certain role, I think ultimately could be beneficial," Roberts stated.

Vogelbach (lower body) is starting Monday against the Rockies.

Vogelbach was out of the lineup for the last three games while tending to a lower-body injury, but he'll serve as the designated hitter and bat cleanup in Monday's series opener. Over his last five games, he's gone 2-for-14 with a triple, an RBI, a walk and six strikeouts.

Turner isn't starting Monday against the Nationals.

Turner drew starts in the last four games and went 4-for-16 with a homer, a double, four RBI, two walks and five strikeouts. However, he'll get a breather while Edwin Rios serves as the designated hitter and bats cleanup.

Belt received a cortisone shot and had his knee drained Sunday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Belt was unavailable for the Giants' weekend series against the Padres and has landed on the injured list for the second time this season. However, he's optimistic that he'll be able to return after spending the minimum of 10 days on the IL. Darin Ruf and Wilmer Flores should see additional time at first base while Belt is sidelined.

The Giants moved Belt to the 10-day injured list prior to Sunday's game against the Padres with right knee inflammation.

Belt didn't play in either of the Giants' first two games of the weekend before the team elected to place him on the IL for the second time this season, after he was previously on the COVID-19-related IL. The Giants will deactivate Belt with the hope that the swelling in his right knee subsides over the next week and allows him to return after a minimum-length or near-minimum stay on the shelf. Darin Ruf and Wilmer Flores will likely see most of the work at first base while Belt is on the IL.

Pederson is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Padres.

The lefty-hitting Pederson will take a seat with southpaw MacKenzie Gore on the bump for San Diego in the series finale. The righty-hitting Darin Ruf replaces Pederson in left field.

Belt is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Padres.

It's unclear whether the lefty-hitting Belt's absence from the starting nine for the series finale is a result of southpaw MacKenzie Gore starting for the Padres or continued discomfort in the first baseman's right knee (or a combination of both). In any case, Belt will be on the bench for the third day in a row, which allows Wilmer Flores to pick up a start at first base.

Blackmon is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Mets, Patrick Lyons of TheDNVR.com reports.

Blackmon will get a breather after he started in both ends of Saturday's doubleheader. The 35-year-old went 1-for-8 between the two games and saw his six-game hitting streak come to an end in Game 2 of the twin bill. With Blackmon on the bench Sunday, the Rockies will roll out an outfield of Kris Bryant, Yonathan Daza and Randal Grichuk from left to right.

Morel is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks.

Morel started each of the past four games at three different positions, going a collective 4-for-14 with a home run, a stolen base, two walks, two runs and two RBI. Though the Cubs don't have a spot available for Morel in the everyday lineup, he should play regularly against left-handed pitching while he's up with the big club.

Pederson went 2-for-2 with a double and a walk in Saturday's 2-1 loss to the Padres.

Pederson was the only Giant to log multiple hits in the low-scoring contest. The outfielder hadn't posted a multi-hit game since April 24, going just 4-for-46 (.087) in the 17 games in between. That brutal slump dropped his slash line to .239/.308/.500 with seven home runs, 14 RBI, 13 runs scored, three doubles and a stolen base through 104 plate appearances. He'll continue to play against most right-handed pitchers while sitting against many southpaws.