MLB Player News

Blackmon went 4-for-5, drove in three runs and scored three runs while hitting for the cycle in the Rockies' 12-0 win over the Nationals on Sunday.

Blackmon closed out his regular season in style, becoming the first MLB player ever to hit for the cycle in a season finale. The 32-year-old wasn't as dominant this season as he was in last year's MVP-caliber campaign, but he still posted terrific fantasy numbers, with a .289/.356/.501 slash line to go along with 29 homers, 12 stolen bases and a National League-leading 119 runs scored.

Cespedes will undergo a second surgery on his injured heel Oct. 23, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

The first surgery took place in early August, and as expected, the Cuban slugger will complete the second surgery a couple months afterward. Cespedes thinks he could return to baseball activities four months after the upcoming procedure, which would put him on track to do so in late February. However, he doesn't expect to be able to run at that point, so it's unlikely that he'll be ready for the start of spring training as things look now. Look for more updates on his status as he progresses in his rehab program following surgery.

Pederson is not in the lineup Sunday against the Giants, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

Following the usual trend, Pederson will start on the bench with a lefty tossing for the opposition. Barring a pinch-hit appearance or a potential Game 163, the outfielder will finish with career bests in batting average (.248) and slugging percentage (.522). Chris Taylor will replace him in left field Sunday.

Ozuna is not in the lineup Sunday against the Cubs.

Ozuna started every game since Sept. 2, and he produced a .906 OPS in that span. However, with the Cardinals getting eliminated from playoff contention Saturday, he'll finally get a day off. Ozuna will finish the season with a .758 OPS to go with 23 homers, 88 RBI and 69 runs scored. Tyler O'Neill will get a start in left field to replace him.

Pederson went 1-for-2 with a walk and a solo home run in Saturday's win over the Giants.

Pederson reached the 25-homer mark for the third time in his career. The slugger has been an excellent source of pop with a career-best .522 slugging percentage this season. Saturday was likely Pederson's last start of the regular season with a lefty slated to start for the Giants on Sunday.

Winker (shoulder) will spend the offseason rehabbing his shoulder at the Reds' spring training facility in Arizona, rather than returning home to Florida, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Winker is on target to be ready for Opening Day 2019, even though he won't be cleared to begin hitting again until Jan. 1. "I just think Arizona is going to be the right spot for me," Winker said on Friday. "I'll be working with our guys there. I just want to take this offseason to get my shoulder healthy. As much as I like being around my family and being in Orlando, Florida, I think this is my most important offseason yet. It's getting my shoulder right and going into next season fully healthy. It's something I look forward to being, completely healthy."

Carpenter went 1-for-3 with a key RBI as the Cardinals kept their playoff hopes alive in a 2-1 victory over the Cubs on Saturday.

Carpenter scored in the fourth inning and pushed the Cardinals in front with a sixth-inning single off Cole Hamels. The 32-year-old has been struggling in September with a .169 average and just one home run. Nevertheless, Carpenter holds a .258/.376/.524 line on the season and has hit a career-high 36 home runs.

Turner went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run to help the Dodgers to a 3-1 victory over the Giants on Friday.

The 33-year-old's fifth-inning blast off Madison Bumgarner turned out to be the decisive blow in this contest, bringing his homer total up to 14 on the season. Turner has been limited to 354 at-bats due to injury in 2018, but he's put up fabulous numbers in the time he's been on the field, as he's boasting an elite .316/.409/.525 slash line.

Ozuna went 2-for-4 with an RBI in Friday's 8-4 loss to the Cubs.

Ozuna plated a run in the sixth inning on a single to left field, but the Cubs would ultimately take the series opener 8-4. The 27-year-old has gone 10-for-37 with two extra-base hits and five RBI over his previous 10 games, and he'll need to step up during the final two games of the regular season if the Cardinals have a chance to make the wild-card game.

Pederson is out of Friday's starting nine versus San Francisco, Kerry Crowley of the Bay Area News Group reports.

Pederson will retreat to a spot on the pine with left-hander Madison Bumgarner pitching for the Giants. Manager Dave Roberts will trot out an outfield of Enrique Hernandez, Chris Taylor and Matt Kemp.