MLB Player News

Ozuna went 1-for-4 with a three-run homer and two runs scored in Tuesday's 14-3 win over the Braves.

Ozuna wasted little time in getting the Cardinals on the board with his first-inning blast off Braves starter Mike Foltynewicz. Ozuna would score again on Yadier Molina's fifth-inning homer. The left fielder is batting .237 with 12 homers, 37 RBI and 32 runs scored through 40 games this season. He entered Tuesday's game with a career-low .233 BABIP, which is likely contributing to his struggles to hit for a good average.

Harper said his left knee was a bit sore following Tuesday's loss to the Brewers, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Harper had a pair of sliding catches that took him into the wall down the right-field line during Tuesday's game, though he never actually exited the contest. The 26-year-old will be re-evaluated Wednesday.

Belt (knee) is starting at first base and batting fourth Tuesday against the Blue Jays, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Belt had been held out of the starting lineup for two straight contests due to knee soreness, but he clubbed a two-run homer Sunday in a pinch-hit appearance and evidently feels healthy enough to return following a scheduled off day.

Reyes went 1-for-5 with a three-run home run in Sunday's 10-7 loss to the Rockies.

The Padres trailed by seven runs entering the top of the ninth inning, but Reyes made the final outcome more respectable when he took Seung Hwan Oh deep with two outs and two runners on. The home run was Reyes' fifth in his last 12 games, with the slugger maintaining a 1.073 OPS during that stretch. Reyes' power surge looks like it will keep him in the lineup on an everyday basis for the foreseeable future, as Manuel Margot currently looks like the odd man out in San Diego's crowded outfield.

Belt (knee) hit a two-run home run in a pinch-hit appearance Sunday against the Reds.

Belt has missed the last two contests due to a knee issue, but he came through with a clutch two-run blast in the seventh inning to tie the game. The 31-year-old should have a chance to rejoin the lineup Tuesday against the Blue Jays after benefiting from a scheduled off day Monday.

Blackmon went 2-for-4 with a pair of home runs, a walk and three RBI to help the Rockies to a 10-7 win over the Padres on Sunday.

Blackmon helped key a big day for the Rockies offense with two big flies from atop the order, both of which came off Nick Margevicius. He's now working on a 10-game hitting streak, which has helped boost his slash line up to .305/.368/.573 to go along with eight homers through 164 at-bats.

McCutchen went 1-for-2 with three walks and a run scored Sunday against Kansas City.

McCutchen was on base four times in the series finale, and he managed to score the go-ahead run in the fifth. The 32-year-old outfielder has been struggling so far this season through 38 games (.238/.370/.399 slash line), but Sunday's performance could be a sign that he's beginning to see the ball much better at the dish.

Belt (knee) is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Reds, Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Belt made a pinch-hitting appearance in Saturday's 5-4 loss, striking out in his lone trip to the dish. While the Giants' decision to use Belt off the bench offers hope that he'll avoid a trip to the injured list, his sore right knee looks like it might still be presenting complications for him in the field. With Belt idle for the second straight game, Pablo Sandoval will draw a start at first base.

Winker is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Giants, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

The fact that the Reds are facing a tough left-hander (Madison Bumgarner) along with playing a day game after a night game likely influenced manager David Bell's decision to withhold Winker from the lineup. With Winker on the bench, Jose Peraza will pick up a start in left field.

Carpenter is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Pirates.

With a lefty (Steven Brault) on the mound for Pittsburgh and the Cardinals playing a day game after a night game, manager Mike Shildt evidently viewed it as an opportune time to give Carpenter just his third day off of the season. Carpenter, who went 0-for-9 over the first two games of the series, will be replaced at third base by Jedd Gyorko.