MLB Player News

The Mets placed Cespedes on the restricted list Sunday after he informed the team he was opting out of the 2020 season.

The transaction opened up spots on the Mets' 30-man active roster, 40-man roster and 60-man roster pool. Before opting out, Cespedes appeared in eight games for the Mets and went 5-for-31 with two home runs and four RBI.

The Dodgers are considering having Pederson bat leadoff against right-handed starters, Jorge Castillo of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Los Angeles has been employing a matchup-based lineup strategy throughout the season, with Max Muncy batting first against right-handed starters and Mookie Betts leading off against southpaws. However, Muncy has been struggling of late, going 2-for-16 over his last four games. Pederson took over the leadoff spot against right-hander Chris Paddack on Monday and promptly went deep on the first pitch of the contest for his first home run of the season. Pederson has had plenty of success as a leadoff hitter in the past -- he hit 17 leadoff homers between 2018 and 2019, including a franchise-record nine last season.

Colon will start Monday's game against Cleveland, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Colon was scratched from Monday's lineup to make room for Joey Votto (illness), but he'll rejoin the starting nine as the designated hitter after Nick Senzel was scratched with a sprained left ring finger. Colon will bat eighth in Monday's contest.

Colon was scratched from the lineup Monday against the Indians.

Colon was initially slated to play first base in the Reds' series opener against Cleveland, but he'll take a seat after Joey Votto (illness) was activated and put in the starting nine. With Votto available once again and Mike Moustakas (forearm) back in the lineup, Colon's playing time should take a significant hit.

Colon went 2-for-4 with a double, two RBI, a run scored and a stolen base in a win over the Tigers in the second game of Sunday's doubleheader.

Colon gave the Reds some extra cushion with his two-run single in the seventh inning. Prior to Sunday, the 31-year-old had gone hitless in three at-bats this season. At the moment, there's no room for him to get regular playing time in the Cincinnati lineup.

General manager Brodie Van Wagenen announced Sunday that Cespedes is opting out of the 2020 season for concerns related to COVID-19, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

The 34-year-old never showed up to the ballpark for Sunday's game in Atlanta, and he apparently didn't inform the Mets that he was planning to opt out until the game was already underway, according to Tim Healey of Newsday. Cespedes is set to finish the season having appeared in eight games and going 5-for-31 with two home runs and four RBI. The veteran slugger is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2020 season. Dominic Smith seems the likely candidate to take over as the Mets' primary designated hitter.

Cespedes didn't report to the ballpark for Sunday's game against the Braves and the team has been unable to contact him, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

Cespedes was absent from Sunday's lineup for what appeared to be a standard day of rest, but there's apparently much more to the situation. The Mets have indicated he's safe but haven't provided specifics on the circumstances surrounding his absence, per Anthony DiComo of MLB.com.

Cespedes didn't report to the ballpark for Sunday's game against the Braves and the team has been unable to contact him, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

Cespedes was absent from Sunday's lineup for what appeared to be a standard day of rest, but there's apparently much more to the situation. Hopefully the 34-year-old is physically and mentally okay, and more information should be available as the situation continues to unfold.

Belt is not in the lineup for Sunday's matchup with the Rangers, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Belt returned from the injured list Thursday and will sit against left-hander Kolby Allard after going 1-for-5 with five walks in his first two games back. Wilmer Flores will start at first base and bat second for the Giants.

Dickerson is not starting Sunday against the Rangers, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Dickerson is 5-for-19 through six games and will head to the bench with the Giants loading up on right-handed bats against lefty Kolby Allard. Hunter Pence will move out to left field while Darin Ruf serves as the designated hitter.