MLB Player News

Ozuna went 2-for-4 in a loss to the Pirates on Friday.

Ozuna was back in the lineup after missing Thursday's contest with his finger issue. The outfielder was coming on at the plate as May came to a close, going an impressive 11-for-25 over the last seven games in which he registered at least one official at-bat. The fact he was able to kick off June with yet another multi-hit effort lends credence to the notion that he's returning to the level of play that he demonstrated in Miami, even as his power stroke remains mostly missing in action (three home runs over 215 plate appearances).

Belt was taken to the hospital after Friday's game and evaluated for appendicitis, Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Belt posted a photo of himself in a hospital bed on Twitter Saturday morning, which would seem to indicate an appendectomy was necessary, although there has been no confirmation on that front yet. If he did have to have his appendix removed, Belt will likely land on the DL for a short stint. He reportedly complained of stomach pains Friday, but he thought he could play through the issue initially.

Blackmon went 2-for-5 with a run and two RBI in Friday's loss to the Dodgers.

Blackmon hit a two-run triple -- his third three-bagger of the year -- off Dennis Santana in the second inning. It was Blackmon's fifth multi-hit effort in his last seven games, and he's now riding a nine-game hitting streak. The outfielder is slashing .279/.369/.515 with 21 extra-base hits and four stolen bases. Blackmon's 45 runs scored rank second in the NL behind Ozzie Albies.

Belt left Friday's game against the Phillies early due to a stomach illness, Amy Gutierrez of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Belt was replaced at first base by Pablo Sandoval after going 0-for-1. He'll be considered day-to-day moving forward, with the severity of the illness unknown.

Reyes is out of Friday's lineup against the Giants.

Through 44 big-league at-bats, four of Reyes' eight hits have gone over the fence, and he has struck out in 40.4 percent of his plate appearances. Hunter Renfroe will start in right field and hit sixth.

Ozuna (finger) is starting in left field and hitting cleanup Friday against the Pirates, FOX Sports Midwest reports.

He had appeared off the bench in each of the last two games, so it's not surprising that he was back on the lineup card for the second game of the series against Pittsburgh. Ozuna has heated up a little at the plate, going 11-for-25 (.440) and a 4:2 BB:K, but with zero home runs, in his last nine games.

Choi was recalled from Triple-A Colorado Springs on Friday.

Choi will take the roster spot of Zach Davies (shoulder), who was placed on the disabled list in the corresponding move. Choi has appeared in just six games with the Brewers this season, but he has produced in his limited opportunities, tallying two doubles and an RBI despite totaling just 15 at-bats. The Brewers will play their next five games in American League parks, which will afford Choi several opportunities to pick up more at-bats over the next week.

Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said on Thursday, "I won't say he is close, but I don't think he is that far away," regarding Cespedes (hip) returning from the disabled list, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

The comment is in contrast to one earlier this week, when it was reported Cespedes could begin a minor-league rehab assignment as soon as this weekend. Regardless, the right hip flexor strain appears to be a lingering issue for the veteran outfielder, who has been on the disabled list since May 13. The 32-year-old started taking batting practice last Thursday and began his running program Friday, but at this point it's difficult to discern just how long Cespedes could be on the shelf.

Ozuna (finger) is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Pirates, Jim Hayes of FOX Sports Midwest reports.

Ozuna was a late scratch from Wednesday's lineup after jamming his finger on a play at second base Tuesday. The Cardinals optioned fellow outfielder Tyler O'Neill to the minors in a flurry of moves Thursday, which seems to indicate Ozuna's finger issue is fairly minor.

Reyes went 1-for-3 with a walk and a solo home run in Wednesday's 3-2 win over the Marlins.

Reyes' fourth-inning blast off Jose Urena was the rookie's third homer in as many games. The outfielder is still struggling in the batting average department (.200), but his advertised power is starting to show at the major-league level. There were concerns over playing time once Hunter Renfroe was activated from the disabled list earlier this week, but Reyes' hot streak could keep him in the lineup often at least until Wil Myers (oblique) or Franchy Cordero (forearm) return from the disabled list.