MLB Player News

  • Brandon Belt DH | TOR

    Giants' Brandon Belt: Homers off bench Friday

    Belt went hit a two-run home run in his only at-bat during Friday's 6-3 loss to the Padres.

    Belt brought the Giants within three runs with his ninth-inning blast. The first baseman had gone 0-for-10 across his last five games, and he hasn't posted a multi-hit effort since June 21. The 34-year-old appears to have slipped into the strong side of a platoon at first base. He has a .208/.331/.362 slash line, six homers, 15 RBI, 18 runs scored and a stolen base through 178 plate appearances. Wilmer Flores or Darin Ruf should be expected to draw starts at first base against southpaws, though Belt can usually be counted on for a pinch-hitting appearance once a right-handed pitcher is on the hill.

  • Joc Pederson DH | TEX

    Giants' Joc Pederson: Sitting against lefty

    Pederson isn't starting Friday's game against the Padres, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

    Pederson drew a start against a left-handed pitcher Tuesday but will retreat to the bench with southpaw Blake Snell on the mound Friday. Yermin Mercedes is starting in left field and batting third.

  • Brandon Belt DH | TOR

    Giants' Brandon Belt: On bench against left-hander

    Belt isn't starting Friday's game against San Diego, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

    Belt will be out of the lineup for the third time this week since left-hander Blake Snell is on the mound for the Padres on Friday. Wilmer Flores is starting at first base while David Villar takes over at the keystone.

  • Brent Rooker DH | ATH

    Padres' Brent Rooker: Recalled Friday

    Rooker was recalled from Triple-A El Paso on Friday.

    The 27-year-old hasn't yet appeared in any major-league games this year, but he'll join the Padres as outfield depth after Jurickson Profar (concussion/neck) was placed on the injured list. Rooker has slashed .279/.401/.596 with 14 homers, 45 runs, 44 RBI and four stolen bases over 49 games in El Paso this year.

  • Pirates' Daniel Vogelbach: Not in Friday's lineup

    Vogelbach isn't starting Friday's game against the Brewers.

    Vogelbach will be out of the lineup for the second time in the last three games after going 3-for-4 with two doubles and an RBI during Thursday's nightcap against the Reds. Yoshi Tsutsugo is serving as the designated hitter while Michael Chavis starts at first base.

  • Bligh Madris DH | STL

    Pirates' Bligh Madris: Sent to minors

    Madris was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday, Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic reports.

    Madris was promoted from Indianapolis on June 20 and played hit well early in his first taste of big-league action, but he's now been sent down after striking out 11 times during a 3-for-24 slump. The 26-year-old's playing time decreased once Ben Gamel (hamstring) returned from the injured list earlier this week.

  • Mike Ford DH | MIN

    Braves' Mike Ford: Called up Friday

    Ford was called up from Triple-A Gwinnett on Friday, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

    The 30-year-old will return to the big leagues after being sent down Monday, replacing Adam Duvall (personal) who was placed on the paternity list Friday. Ford has gone 0-for-4 with a walk and two strikeouts while appearing in two games since joining Atlanta in June.

  • Justin Turner DH | CHC

    Dodgers' Justin Turner: Extends hot streak

    Turner went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in a 5-3 victory versus the Cubs on Thursday.

    Turner knocked one of four Dodgers homers in the contest, going deep to center field in the fourth inning. The long ball was his fourth in his past eight games after he swatted only four through his first 69 contests of the season. Turner has reached base safely in nine straight contests and is slashing .500/.529/.900 with eight RBI in addition to the four home runs over that stretch.

  • Cubs' Christopher Morel: Belts homer Thursday

    Morel went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in Thursday's loss to the Dodgers.

    The Cubs couldn't get much going in the contest, but Morel ensured that they weren't shut out with his two-run blast to left field in the fifth inning. The long ball was his ninth of the campaign and was just his third hit over his past six contests. Despite the recent mini-slump, Morel is enjoying a strong rookie campaign with a .273/.343/.503 slash line, 25 RBI, 33 runs and seven stolen bases in addition to the nine homers.

  • Darin Ruf DH | MIL

    Giants' Darin Ruf: Excluded from Thursday's lineup

    Ruf isn't starting Thursday against the Padres, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

    Ruf will be out of the lineup for a second consecutive game after he went 4-for-11 with a homer, two doubles, four RBI and two runs over his last five contests. Tommy La Stella is serving as the designated hitter while David Villar starts at third base.

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