MLB Player News

Turner (neck) is expected to return to the starting lineup for Tuesday's NLCS Game 3 matchup against Atlanta, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Turner has struggled to a .107/.194/.214 line through eight games so far this postseason, a performance which could be related to the neck issue which forced him to the bench for Game 2 on Sunday. He was able to appear as a pinch hitter in that contest and should be involved from the start Tuesday.

Turner is out of the lineup for Game 2 of the NLCS against Atlanta on Sunday due to a stinger on the right side of his neck, Tyler Kepner of The New York Times reports.

Turner has apparently been experiencing some difficulty turning his neck, so he'll be limited to pinch-hit duties off the bench for Game 2. Manager Dave Roberts said he expects the veteran third baseman to be back in the lineup for Game 3 on Tuesday, so it doesn't appear to be a serious concern. Chris Taylor will start at the hot corner in his absence Sunday.

Turner is out of the lineup for Game 2 of the NCLS against Atlanta on Sunday, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports.

No injury has been reported for Turner, so it appears to just be a day off for the veteran third baseman. He has yet to find much of a rhythm in the playoffs, going 3-for-28 with a solo home run, a walk, an additional run scored and seven strikeouts in seven games. Chris Taylor will start at the hot corner in his place Sunday.

Soler (illness) isn't on Atlanta's roster for the NLCS against the Dodgers.

Soler was removed from the NLDS roster after he tested positive for COVID-19, and he'll be unavailable for the NLCS. However, it's possible that he could return if Atlanta advances to the World Series.

Ruf went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in on Thursday in Game 5 of the NLDS against the Dodgers.

Ruf took Julio Urias yard in the sixth inning to knot the game at 1-1. It was his lone hit of the postseason, and he struck out a total of five times across 11 plate appearances in the NLDS.

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.