MLB Player News

Ozuna (fingers) is continuing his rehabilitation in St. Louis and experienced improvement this week, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Manager Mike Shildt delivered the encouraging news about Ozuna, although in the same breath, he conceded that the team won't have a firmer timeline on his recovery until after the upcoming All-Star break. Shildt had previously emphasized that Ozuna will need to have full strength back in his injured middle and ring fingers before activation, considering how critical they are to the slugger being able to grip a bat properly.

Dickerson went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's 9-4 loss to the Cardinals.

He's up to four homers and 14 RBI in 14 games with the Giants after batting just .158 over 12 games with the Padres earlier in the year. Dickerson will primarily start against right-handers going forward, but he's making the most of his limited at-bats with a season line of .295/.348/.590 in 26 games overall.

Pederson is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Padres, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

With lefty Eric Lauer due up for San Diego, Pederson will head to the bench, as he has done against nearly every southpaw the Dodgers have faced this season (two starts vs. LHP). He's done enough damage against right-handed pitching to be a top-40 fantasy outfielder to date, and he recently gained first-base eligibility in leagues with a 10-game requirement in-season. Look for Pederson to continue playing mostly at first base to begin the second half.

Winker went 3-for-3 and scored the game's only run in Thursday's win over the Brewers.

Winker hit a leadoff double in the bottom of the first inning and came around to score the only run the Reds would need in a 1-0 victory. His three hits were one more than the entire Brewers team could manage. Winker's batting average rose nine points to .257 thanks to his big night, though he's well below the .298 and .299 batting averages he recorded in his first two seasons.

Turner (elbow) is starting at third base and batting third Thursday against the Padres.

Turner was held out of the lineup since being hit by a pitch on his left elbow Sunday, though he did appear off the bench Wednesday. The veteran third baseman is slashing .295/.280/.523 with four doubles and two homers in his last 13 games.

Dickerson started in left field and went 1-for-4 with his third home run of the season in Wednesday's 7-5 win over San Diego.

Dickerson was situated on the bench for four consecutive games (three against lefty starters) despite a blazing-hot start to his career in orange and black (.375/.444/.750 across first 10 games). The 29-year-old slugger returned to the starting nine against the right-handed Cal Quantrill, signalling a strict platoon situation for the time being. When Dickerson is penciled on the lineup card, manager Bruce Bochy has his new asset batting either fourth or fifth in the order. Dickerson is proving to be a valuable power commodity with eight extra-base hits over his first 10 starts in San Francisco.

Ramirez will start in left field and bat sixth Thursday against the Nationals, Andre Fernandez of The Athletic reports.

Ramirez had batted out of either the Nos. 2 or 3 spots in his last 12 starts but delivered a meager .240/.296/.260 slash line over that stretch. Manager Don Mattingly will see if a move down in the lineup can help spark Ramirez's bat in what may only be a one-time arrangement.

Manager Dave Roberts said Turner (elbow) is available to pinch hit Wednesday versus the Diamondbacks, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

Turner was not available off the bench Tuesday, but Roberts indicated he hopes the veteran third baseman will be back in the lineup Thursday against the Padres. The 35-year-old is nursing a sore left elbow after being hit by a pitch Sunday.

Turner (elbow) remains out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Diamondbacks, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

X-rays were negative after Turner was hit by a pitch Sunday, but he was out of the lineup Tuesday and manager Dave Roberts later revealed that the third baseman was not available off the bench. It's uncertain if Turner will be available in a pinch-hit capacity Wednesday. Max Muncy is filling in at third base.

Belt went 3-for-6 with a run scored in Tuesday's 10-4 win over San Diego.

Belt was slotted second in the order for the third straight game with yet another southpaw on the mound. The 31-year-old has adapted well to his new role as a table-setter, getting on base 11 times over the last five contests (.440 on-base percentage). The Giants' offense has been on fire of late, so manager Bruce Bochy should continue to roll Belt out either first (against righties) or second (against lefties) in the order, so long as this configuration continues to produce.