MLB Player News

Ozuna will start in left field and bat cleanup Sunday against the Reds.

Ozuna didn't start Saturday in his first game back from the 10-disabled list, but the 27-year-old should be in store for a full-time role in September as the Cardinals look to secure a spot in the playoffs. His return from the DL will likely translate to fewer at-bats for rookie Tyler O'Neill, who will head to the bench Sunday.

Pederson is not starting against lefty Patrick Corbin and the Diamondbacks on Saturday, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

Pederson continues to sit against most lefties, an arrangement which should be even more common with September's expanded rosters. Matt Kemp will take his place in left field.

Ozuna is not in the lineup Saturday against the Reds.

Ozuna returned from a shoulder injury Saturday but may need to be eased back into a starting role. Tyler O'Neill will start in left field Saturday. Ozuna is hitting a disappointing .275/.319/.409 on the season, worse overall than O'Neill's .270/.306/.520 line, so there's no guarantee that Ozuna is able to take back the job before the end of the year.

Ozuna (shoulder) was activated from the disabled list Saturday.

As expected, Ozuna is back with the Cardinals after a minimum 10-day stay on the shelf. The 27-year-old will look to pick up where he left off prior to landing on the DL, as he hit .344/.385/.557 with three homers and 10 RBI in his last 15 games before the injury.

Reyes went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Friday's win over the Rockies.

Reyes was able to homer off the bench Thursday, and he followed that up with his 13th long ball of the season while returning to the starting lineup. The 23-year-old has regained the Friars' starting right field job, starting nine of the club's last 10 contests and going 11-for-25 with four homers over that span.

Pederson started in left field and went 1-for-4 with an RBI in Friday's 3-2 win over Arizona.

Pederson had been situated on the bench for five of the Dodgers' previous six contests, but that was due to a combination of a knee bruise and a slew of left-handed starters taking the mound. The 26-year-old is still the club's primary option in left field against right-handed pitchers, so fantasy owners shouldn't bail on the slugger and his .244/.320/.503 slash line based on his recent game log.

Turner went 2-for-3 with a solo home run in Friday's 3-2 win over the Diamondbacks.

Turner played the role of hero in a crucial NL West matchup against Arizona, taking Zack Grienke deep in the eighth inning to put the Dodgers up for good. The 33-year-old has been unconscious at the plate since returning from the disabled list Aug. 2, slashing .402/.491/.722 with six homers and 20 RBI over that span. Injuries limited Turner's fantasy production for the majority of the season, but he is looking like every bit of the top-tier third baseman to which we have become accustomed.

Carpenter went 2-for-5 with a two-run home run in the Cardinals' 12-5 win over the Reds on Friday.

Carpenter's ridiculous second half just keeps on rolling, as he mashed his 35th homer of the season with this second-inning blast off Homer Bailey. The 32-year-old is now boasting a phenomenal .274/.387/.579 slash line and this hot streak has persisted long enough now that he's giving little reason to think he won't keep mashing through the rest of the season.

Harper (illness) is starting in center field and batting third against the Brewers on Friday, Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports reports.

Harper was held out of Wednesday's lineup due to a minor illness, though he was able to enter the game as a pinch hitter. As expected, he will be back in the starting nine for the beginning of a three-game set versus Milwaukee. During 27 games in August, he's slashed .337/.409/.582 with five home runs and 20 RBI.

Ozuna (shoulder) took batting practice in the indoor cage Thursday and remains on track to be activated from the disabled list this weekend, Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports.

Manager Mike Shildt added that Ozuna felt "really really good" about the session, which represents his latest step toward a return. The veteran outfielder has been sidelined with right shoulder inflammation since Aug. 22, but it appears the cortisone shot he took several days ago has had its intended effect.