MLB Player News

McCutchen went 1-for-5 with a solo home run and two strikeouts in Sunday's 10-8 loss to the Blue Jays.

McCutchen went hitless in three at-bats Saturday, but he bounced back with a solo shot in the sixth inning of Sunday's matchup. The 34-year-old is now slashing .223/.352/.400 with six home runs, 18 runs and 17 RBI this year.

Carpenter is slashing .100/.280/.100 with only two singles and five walks over the 25 plate appearances covering his 12 game appearances in May.

The struggling veteran had shown a burst of life by homering in back-to-back games as a pinch hitter to close out April, but that proved to be just a flash of success that quickly vanished. Carpenter has drawn only four starts during the current month, and with good reason -- he currently seems incapable of snapping out of a funk that dates back to the beginning of the 2020 campaign. Carpenter's .111 BABIP certainly isn't helping, but both a 54.1 percent flyball rate and career-worst 32.5 percent strikeout rate are equal culprits. Ironically, Carpenter's most impressive performance to date in May came on the mound Saturday night against the Padres -- the 35-year-old fired 1.1 scoreless innings during which he allowed just a pair of singles to close out the blowout loss.

Blackmon (groin) is not in the lineup Sunday versus the Reds, Danielle Allentuck of The Denver Gazette reports.

The 34-year-old will sit for the second straight contest after exiting Friday's game with a mild groin strain. Yonathan Daza will receive another start in right field Sunday in Blackmon's place.

Belt was scratched from Sunday's lineup at Pittsburgh with side tightness, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

The 33-year-old has been battling side tightness through the week and won't start Sunday after originally being included in the lineup. Darin Ruf will step in at first base while Belt should be considered day-to-day.

Winker is not in the lineup Sunday at Colorado.

Winker started the past six games but will sit for the series finale against the Rockies after going 0-for-5 with four strikeouts Saturday. Shogo Akiyama will start in left field Sunday for the Reds.

Harper (shoulder) is out of the lineup Sunday against the Blue Jays.

The 28-year-old exited Saturday's contest with soreness in his right shoulder, and it's not a major surprise to see him on the bench for the series finale. Harper will also have Monday's scheduled off day to aid in his recovery as he seeks to avoid missing more time. Scott Kingery will receive the start in right field for the Phillies on Sunday.

Dickerson (shoulder) was activated from the 10-day injured list Sunday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

The 30-year-old has been sidelined by a bone bruise in his left shoulder since May 5, but he'll rejoin the active roster after a brief stay on the injured list. Dickerson will presumably be in the lineup Sunday with righty Mitch Keller starting for Pittsburgh in the series finale.

Ruf went 2-for-4 with a walk, a double, a solo home run and a second run scored in Saturday's 8-6 loss to the Pirates.

He gave the Giants a quick lead by driving a one-out offering from Tyler Anderson over the fence in center field in the first inning. Ruf continues to find his way into the lineup only against southpaws, limiting his playing time and his fantasy value. Through 66 plate appearances this season he has a .235/.394/.569 slash line with five homers, one steal, 12 runs and 13 RBI.

Harper is considered day-to-day after being removed from Saturday's game against the Blue Jays with right shoulder soreness, Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

The 28-year-old struck out in both plate appearances Saturday before being replaced in right field by Scott Kingery. According to Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer, manager Joe Girardi said "he isn't sure about" Harper playing Sunday, so it's wouldn't be surprising to see the outfielder on the bench.

Blackmon (groin) will be on the bench Saturday against the Reds, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Blackmon left Friday's game with a mild groin strain. The issue is evidently serious enough to sideline him for at least one contest. Yonathan Daza will start in right field in his absence Saturday.