MLB Player News

Winker is not starting Thursday against the Cubs.

Winker will give way to Phillip Ervin in left field for Thursday's series opener against the Cubs with left-hander Cole Hamels toeing the rubber for Chicago. Look for the outfielder, who is slashing .368/.442/.553 with two home runs and six RBI over his past 15 appearances, to rejoin the lineup against righty Yu Darvish on Friday.

Harper went 2-for-4 with a home run in Wednesday's 6-1 loss to the Diamondbacks.

Harper accounted for the first and only extra-base hit of the game with a solo homer off Kevin Ginkel in the ninth inning. The 26-year-old now has 20 long balls on the season along with 74 RBI and 66 runs scored while slashing .251/.371/.467.

Carpenter, who went 2-for-2 with a walk in a loss to the Dodgers on Wednesday, left the game in the ninth inning after getting hit in the foot by a pitch, the Associated Press reports.

Manager Mike Shildt didn't have an update on Carpenter following the game. The fact the Cardinals have an off day Thursday could help Carpenter get through the issue without missing any games. Ironically, the struggling veteran was enjoying his best game Wednesday since returning from a stint on the injured list with a separate foot issue.

Ozuna went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Wednesday's 2-1 loss to the Dodgers.

His sixth-inning shot off Dustin May looked like it would hold up as the only offense of the game, until the Dodgers rallied for a walkoff win in the ninth. Ozuna's long ball was his first in five games since coming off the IL and his 21st of the year, and he now sports a .252/.329/.505 slash line.

Dickerson (oblique) won't return when first eligible Sunday, Amy Gutierrez of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Dickerson was originally expected to require just a minimum-length stay on the injured list after straining his oblique at the end of July. He's now a bit behind that timeline. He may also require a brief rehab assignment before returning to action, further delaying his return date.

Belt is not starting Wednesday against the Nationals.

Belt hasn't been swinging the bat well lately, hitting .178/.229/.289 over his last 11 games. Pablo Sandoval will start at first base in his absence.

Carpenter is starting at third base and hitting sixth Wednesday against the Dodgers.

Carpenter hit leadoff in his first two games back from the injured list, but after going 1-for-9 with a trio of strikeouts in those games, he'll drop to sixth in the order for a second straight game while Dexter Fowler mans the leadoff spot.

Ramirez isn't in the starting lineup for Tuesday's game against the Mets, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Ramirez will head to the bench after going 1-for-7 with an RBI through the first two games of the series. Jon Berti is set to man left field and hit second in Ramirez's stead.

Pederson went 2-for-4 with a solo home run, a walk and an additional run in Monday's 8-0 win over the Cardinals.

Since busting out for 26 home runs as a rookie in 2015, Pederson has come tantalizing close to establishing a new career high in the category on two occasions, finishing with 25 long balls apiece in 2016 and 2018. Assuming health prevails over the final two months of the season, Pederson shouldn't have much trouble surpassing his rookie-year mark after going deep for the 24th time Monday. The Dodgers will continue to withhold Pederson from the lineup versus left-handed pitching, but his .821 OPS should keep him locked into the starting nine against righties in most games unless he falls into an extended slump.

Winker is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Angels.

Winker started in Monday's series-opening 7-4 victory, even though the Angels deployed a lefty (Patrick Sandoval) as their primary pitcher. Though Winker acquitted himself well in the contest by recording a base hit and a walk in his two plate appearances, he'll retreat to the bench as he usually does versus lefties with another southpaw (Jose Suarez) on the bump for the Angels on Tuesday. Phillip Ervin will spell Winker in left field.