MLB Player News

Belt (thumb) was fielding grounders prior to Game 4 of the NLDS against the Dodgers on Tuesday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Manager Gabe Kapler previously said it'd be a "dream scenario" for the veteran first baseman to be ready for the NLCS, and the fact he's participating in baseball activities this week should leave that door open. If Belt can progress to swinging a bat and facing live pitching within the next couple days, he could be included on the roster for the NLCS, which would begin Saturday should the Giants advance.

Soler tested positive for COVID-19 and has been replaced on the NLDS roster by Cristian Pache prior to Tuesday's Game 4 against the Brewers.

Soler had been a key cog for Atlanta since coming over at the trade deadline. Dansby Swanson replaces him in the leadoff spot while Guillermo Heredia gets the start in center field with Joc Pederson sliding over to right field.

Pederson hit a three-run home run in a pinch-hit appearance during Game 3 of the NLDS against Milwaukee on Monday.

Pederson was called upon in a big spot with two runners on base in the bottom of the fifth, and he delivered. Much like he did in Game 1 of the series, Pederson left the yard against right-hander Adrian Houser, providing the only offense his club would need on the way to a 3-0 victory. Pederson is now 3-for-3 in the series with two homers and a single, and it wouldn't be surprising to see him crack the starting lineup in Game 4 given his recent success at the plate.

Dickerson (foot) isn't starting Game 3 of the NLDS against the Dodgers on Monday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Dickerson will be out of the lineup for a third straight contest, but he went 0-for-1 with a strikeout as a pinch hitter in Saturday's Game 2 win. He'll likely be available off the bench once again, but LaMonte Wade, Steven Duggar and Mike Yastrzemski will start in the outfield from left to right.

Ruf isn't starting Game 3 of the NLDS against the Dodgers on Monday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Ruf will get a breather after he went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts as the leadoff hitter in Game 2. Kris Bryant will shift to first base while Steven Duggar enters the lineup in center field.

Dickerson (foot) isn't starting Game 2 of the NLDS against the Dodgers on Saturday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Dickerson didn't appear in Friday's Game 1 win, and he'll remain out of the lineup due to a foot injury. However, it seems likely that the 31-year-old will be available off the bench given his inclusion on the NLDS roster.

Pederson went 1-for-1 with a solo home run in Friday's 2-1 loss to the Brewers in Game 1 of the NLDS.

Pederson didn't start Friday's Game 1 matchup, but he delivered Atlanta's lone run with his solo blast in the top of the eighth inning. Eddie Rosario, Adam Duvall and Jorge Soler are the favorites for playing time in the outfield to begin the postseason, but Pederson is one of the top options to fill in as a pinch hitter if he isn't in the lineup.

Ruf is out of the lineup in Game 1 of the NLDS against the Dodgers on Friday, Amy Gutierrez of the Giants' official site reports.

Ruf started three of the last four games to close the season after spending some time on the injured list, and he'll open the postseason on the bench. Wilmer Flores will start at first base while Kris Bryant and LaMonte Wade work in the corner outfield.

Dickerson (foot) is out of the lineup for Game 1 of the NLDS against the Dodgers on Friday, Amy Gutierrez of the Giants' official site reports.

Dickerson was last in the lineup Sept. 28 when he was hit by a pitch, but his inclusion on the NLDS roster indicates there's not much concern over the injury. He finished 2021 with a .233/.304/.420 slash line in 111 games, and the Giants will start Kris Bryant and LaMonte Wade in the corner outfield spots in Game 1.

Turner went 1-for-4 with a solo homer in Wednesday's wild-card win over the Cardinals.

The Dodgers were down 1-0 before they even got their first chance to bat, but Turner pulled them level with a shot to left field to lead off the bottom of the fourth inning. Turner how has 13 career postseason homers in 73 games, a number he's paired with an excellent .294/.390/.515 slash line.