MLB Player News

Winker went 3-for-5 with a two-run home run and an additional run scored in Thursday's 4-2 win over the Cardinals.

Winker slammed a two-run home run off Adam Wainwright with two outs in the second inning. His 14 home runs lead the Reds and are tied for third in the National League. The 27-year-old's .348 batting average is second to teammate Nick Castellanos in all of baseball. In addition, his 1.044 OPS is third in MLB.

Blackmon went 3-for-4 with a solo home run, a double, three RBI and two runs scored during Thursday's victory over the Rangers.

Blackmon's fourth long ball of the season came against Mike Foltynewicz in the third inning. He actually reached base on four occasions, starting off with a hit-by-pitch in the first frame. He then singled in the sixth and knocked in a two-run double in the seventh. It was the ninth multi-hit game of the season for the 34-year-old, who got off to a slow start but seems to be heating up lately with eight hits in his last four games. Blackmon is slashing .262/.362/.407 overall.

Belt (oblique) will take batting practice Thursday and could return from the injured list this weekend, Amy Gutierrez of the Giants' official site reports.

The 33-year-old was expected to miss 10-to-14 days with the oblique strain and is eligible to be activated this weekend, and it appears he's on schedule in his recovery. Wilmer Flores should continue seeing time at first base until Belt can return.

Vogelbach will start at first base and bat second Thursday against the Diamondbacks, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

The lefty-hitting Vogelbach has been on the bench for six of the Brewers' last seven contests, but his absences have largely been a result of Milwaukee encountering a southpaw-heavy stretch of opposing starters. He'll be back in the lineup Thursday against Arizona right-hander Jon Duplantier, and Vogelbach still looks to be locked into the strong side of a platoon at first base with Keston Hiura.

McCutchen went 2-for-3 with two home runs, four total RBI and two walks in Tuesday's win over the Reds.

McCutchen hadn't gone deep since May 19 but delivered a vintage power display, as he recorded his second two-homer game of the campaign -- he had already accomplished this feat May 4 against the Brewers. Even though the veteran outfielder is not the player he once was, he's been a reliable fantasy contributor with nine homers, 25 RBI and 24 runs scored despite hitting just .209 across 215 plate appearances.

Dickerson is not starting Tuesday's game against the Angels, Alex Pavlovic of reports.

Having started just two games against lefty pitchers all season, Dickerson sits against Andrew Heaney. The day off doesn't come at a terrible time for the 31-year-old, who's hitless with five strikeouts in his last 12 at-bats. Mike Tauchman fills in for Dickerson as the left fielder Tuesday.

Miller will start in right field and bat fifth Tuesday against the Reds, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Miller appears to have solidified a spot in Philadelphia's everyday lineup; he'll be making his 10th consecutive start Tuesday, including his third in a row in right field. The veteran owns a strong .834 OPS over 116 plate appearances on the season, and he should be a decent source of power production for fantasy managers while Bryce Harper (forearm) is on the injured list.

Phillies manager Joe Girardi said Harper (forearm) is unlikely to return from the 10-day injured list Wednesday when first eligible, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Harper was able to do some light hitting Monday, but he apparently needs more time to heal after he was placed on the shelf last Tuesday with a left forearm bruise. The 28-year-old's ongoing absence should continue to open up more reps in right field for Matt Joyce and Brad Miller.

Carpenter went 2-for-4 with two doubles in a loss to the Diamondbacks on Sunday.

Operating out of the leadoff spot for the first time all season, Carpenter came through with his second and third doubles of his last two starts. The struggling veteran has actually boosted his batting average 38 points with his pair of multi-hit efforts in that span, but his season slash line still sits at an unacceptable .151/.292/.304 across 96 plate appearances.

Winker isn't starting Monday's game against the Phillies.

Winker had gone 7-for-19 with three runs, an RBI, three walks and two strikeouts across his last five games. Shogo Akiyama will take over in left field and bat eighth.