MLB Player News

Belt tested positive for COVID-19 and was placed on the injured list Friday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

The Giants have been hit hard by COVID-19 related absences this week. Jason Krizan and Ka'ai Tom were promoted from Triple-A to help fill the void in the short term, and LaMonte Wade (knee) is also nearing a return to action.

Pederson was diagnosed with a Grade 1 adductor strain Friday but will avoid the injured list for now, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Pederson underwent an MRI on Thursday after leaving Wednesday's game against Oakland with right groin tightness. While the test did reveal a strain, it's not a particularly severe one. The Giants will wait to see how the injury responds over the next few days, so he'll likely miss at least two or three games, but he may not wind up missing any more time than that.

McCutchen went 3-for-4 with a home run and three RBI during Thursday's 3-2 win over the Pirates. He walked once and struck out once.

McCutchen led off the game with a home run against Jose Quintana and added a game-winning, two-run single in the top of the ninth inning, producing all three runs for the Brewers against his former team. Thursday's performance marked McCutchen's first three-hit game and his first homer of the season. He's currently hitting .250 with nine RBI and three steals.

Atlanta designated Dickerson for assignment Thursday.

With Ronald Acuna (knee) cleared to return from his minor-league rehab assignment to make his 2022 MLB debut Thursday against the Cubs, Dickerson will lose his spot on the 40-man roster and 28-man active roster. The 31-year-old had been filling a large-side platoon role at designated hitter for most of the season, turning in a paltry .121/.194/.212 slash line over 36 plate appearances. Even if Dickerson goes unclaimed off waivers, Atlanta could release him rather than outrighting him to the minors, which would allow him to pursue a more favorable opportunity elsewhere.

Pederson (groin) will undergo an MRI on Thursday, and manager Gabe Kapler said a trip to the injured list could be necessary, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Pederson experienced groin tightness while breaking for second base on a ground ball during the third inning Wednesday, and his availability for the near future is now in question. The 30-year-old will have Thursday's scheduled off day to be evaluated, so the Giants have some time to determine whether a trip to the injured list is necessary. The team is already short-handed in the outfield with LaMonte Wade (knee) on the 10-day IL and Mike Yastrzemski (illness) on the COVID-19 IL.

Pederson was removed from Wednesday's game versus the Athletics with right groin tightness, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

The 30-year-old appeared to suffer the injury while running the bases during the third inning Wednesday, and he didn't retake the field in the bottom of the frame. Pederson went 1-for-2 prior to his exit and will have Thursday's scheduled off day to aid in his recovery before potentially missing more time.

Harper went 3-for-4 with a triple, two runs scored and a stolen base in a 7-3 win Wednesday against Colorado.

Harper singled and stole a base in the first inning, tripled and scored in the third and singled and scored in the seventh. He has stolen bases in consecutive games and has three swipes on the season. With his triple, the 29-year-old has recorded an extra-base hit in five of his last six games. After a slow start to the season, he has raised his OPS to .850.

Pederson exited Wednesday's game against the A's with an apparent leg injury, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Pederson appeared to grab at his quad while running the bases during the third inning, and he was replaced in the field for the bottom of the frame. The 30-year-old should be considered day-to-day until the Giants provide an update on the injury.

Triple-A El Paso placed Rooker on its 7-day injured list April 19 with a shoulder injury, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

After being acquired from the Twins on April 7, Rooker hit .227 with a pair of home runs over his first seven games with El Paso, but he hasn't played since April 17 on account of the injury. The timing of the move to IL is a particularly disappointing development for Rooker, who likely would have been summoned to the Padres' taxi squad Wednesday after outfielder Wil Myers aggravated a thumb injury in Tuesday's win over the Reds. If Myers is moved to the IL, the Padres appear set to call up Trayce Thompson from El Paso to burnish the club's outfield depth.

Dickerson will serve as Atlanta's designated hitter and No. 6 batter in Wednesday's game against the Cubs, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Dickerson will be included in the starting nine against a right-handed pitcher (Mark Leiter) for the second game in a row, suggesting he's usurped Orlando Arcia as Atlanta's preferred option at DH. Both Dickerson and Arcia will see their opportunities at both DH and in the corner outfield take a hit once Ronald Acuna (knee) is cleared to make his 2022 debut, possibly as soon as this weekend.