MLB Player News

Cespedes is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Braves, Deesha Thosar of the New York Daily News reports.

The veteran slugger is 1-for-12 with five strikeouts over the past three games and will receive a day to reset Sunday. Cespedes has a .622 OPS with two home runs and 15 strikeouts in 34 plate appearances this season.

Ozuna went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer in Saturday's 7-1 win over the Mets.

He took his former Cards teammate Michael Wacha deep in the first inning, setting the tone for a big Atlanta victory. Ozuna has hit safely in eight of nine games to begin the year, batting .367 (11-for-30) with three homers and six RBI.

Blackmon went 3-for-5 with a home run, three RBI and two runs scored in Friday's 8-7 loss against the Padres.

Blackmon notched his first long ball of the season with a one-out blast off Garrett Richards in the first inning, and he has hit safely in each of Colorado's four games, notching at least two hits in his last three contests.

Ruf went 2-for-3 with three RBI, a run scored and a walk in Friday's 9-2 win over the Rangers.

Ruf got the Giants on the board with an RBI single in the second inning. He later capped off a three-run seventh inning with a two-RBI double to knock in Evan Longoria and Donovan Solano. Ruf has found most of his at-bats versus southpaws, and he's done handsomely with a .385/.467/.462 triple slash, five RBI and two runs scored in 15 plate appearances. With Brandon Belt back from an Achilles injury, it may be harder for Ruf to find consistent playing time at first base.

Dickerson will not start Friday's game against the Rangers, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

The Giants will load up on righties against southpaw Mike Minor. Hunter Pence moves out to left field Friday, with Darin Ruf serving as the designated hitter.

Belt is not in the lineup against lefty Mike Minor and the Rangers on Friday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

It's unclear whether Belt's absence Friday is due to the fact that the Giants are facing a southpaw or the fact that he only just returned from an Achilles injury Thursday. Whatever the reason, Wilmer Flores will slide over to first base in his absence.

Ozuna went 1-for-1 with three walks and a run scored in Thursday's win over the Rays.

One of the free passes was intentional, but this was still an impressive display of patience from the 29-year-old. Ozuna did post a career-high 11.3 percent walk rate in 2019, and if he continues to improve in that area he could emerge as a genuine OBP asset in leagues utilizing that category.

Belt (Achilles) went 0-for-2 with three walks in Thursday's 12-7 extra-inning loss to the Padres.

Belt showed patience at the plate in his season debut, which was delayed a week as he recovered from an Achilles injury for most of summer camp. The first baseman struck out in his other two plate appearances. In 2019, Belt his .234 with 17 homers and 57 RBI in 156 games, a down year for the career .261 hitter.

Pederson isn't in the lineup for Thursday's game against Arizona.

Pederson will once again take a seat Thursday with left-hander Robbie Ray on the mound for the Diamondbacks. A.J. Pollock is starting in left field, batting fifth.

Belt (Achilles) was activated from the 10-day injured list Thursday.

Belt was working his way back from an Achilles injury during the majority of camp. He'll be eligible to make his season debut against the Padres on Thursday, along with teammate Evan Longoria (oblique). With Belt available again, Pablo Sandoval will likely retreat to a bench role. However, it wouldn't be surprising to see the Giants limit Belt's workload as he makes his return to the field.