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Franmil Reyes DH | WAS
Padres' Franmil Reyes: Goes deep again
Reyes started in right field and went 3-for-3 with a double, a home run, three RBI and three runs scored in Tuesday's 11-5 win over Milwaukee.
Reyes surprisingly got the nod over Travis Jankowski despite a right-hander toeing the rubber for the Brewers. The latter's production at the plate has really tailed off following a hot start to the year (.255/.331/.325), so it is possible that Reyes could get an extended look in right, at least until Wil Myers (foot) returns from the disabled list. The Friars are scheduled to face another righty Wednesday, which should shed light on whether or not the rookie has gained a regular role in the outfield.
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Bryce Harper 1B | PHI
Nationals' Bryce Harper: Homers in matinee
Harper went 2-for-5 with a home run and two RBI in a win over the Braves in the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader.
Harper is now batting .370 with four homers and 16 RBI in 16 games since the All-Star break, giving him 27 homers and 70 RBI for the season. He is slated to man right field and bat cleanup against lefty Sean Newcomb in the nightcap.
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Joc Pederson DH | TEX
Dodgers' Joc Pederson: Out of lineup
Pederson is not in the lineup Tuesday against the A's, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.
Pederson will find his usual seat on the bench with a left-hander (Sean Manaea) toeing the rubber for the opposition. The Dodgers will deploy an outfield consisting of Chris Taylor, Enrique Hernandez and Yasiel Puig (from left to right) in this one.
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Brandon Belt DH | TOR
Giants' Brandon Belt: Could return early next week
Manager Bruce Bochy said Belt (knee) could return sometime during the Giants' upcoming series against the Dodgers, which starts Monday, John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Belt has been taking grounders at first base for the past couple of days and is nearing a return from the disabled list. The 30-year-old is hoping to resume running this week, and if all goes well he could rejoin the Giants' starting lineup early next week. That said, with Clayton Kershaw set to start for the Dodgers on Monday, Belt -- who is just 4-for-54 (.074) with 28 strikeouts in his career against Kershaw -- likely wouldn't return to the fold until Tuesday or Wednesday. Until then, Austin Slater and Buster Posey should continue to cover first base in his absence.
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Marcell Ozuna DH | PIT
Cardinals' Marcell Ozuna: Three hits in homecoming
Ozuna went 3-for-4 in a loss to the Marlins on Monday.
The outfielder enjoyed his first return to Marlins Park, serving as one of the few offensive bright spots for the Cardinals on a night where their bats were mostly dormant. Ozuna has opened August hitting .333 (8-for-24) over the first six games of the month, and he's reached safely in 12 of his last 14 contests overall. All three components of his .269/.314/.391 season line are still under his career numbers, but Ozuna offered some reason for optimism by smacking a trio of homers over the last four games of July.
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Brandon Belt DH | TOR
Giants' Brandon Belt: Takes grounders Monday
Belt (knee) took grounders for the second straight day Monday, John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Belt was reportedly working a little more aggressively during Monday's fielding session. He's hoping to resume running later in the week, after which a more concrete return date will hopefully come into focus. The first baseman has been on the disabled list since July 26 with a bone bruise in his knee. Belt said he expects to wear a knee brace once activated. In the meantime, Austin Slater will continue to fill in for Belt at first base.
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Matt Carpenter DH | STL
Cardinals' Matt Carpenter: Tied for NL lead in homers
Carpenter went 1-for-5 with a solo home run in a win over the Pirates on Sunday.
Carpenter temporarily had the National League homer lead all to himself after blasting his 29th round tripper in the fifth inning. Although the Rockies' Nolan Arenado eventually drew even with him later in the day, Carpenter's offensive exploits over the last two months-plus are nothing short of astounding at this point. The veteran infielder has hit 26 of his homers over the last 67 games, a stretch during which he sports an MLB-best .722 slugging percentage, Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports. Carpenter has now left the yard in three straight games and reached safely in 24 consecutive games overall, pushing his season line to a steadily ascending .282/.394/.593.
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Franmil Reyes DH | WAS
Padres' Franmil Reyes: Homers in start
Reyes started in right field and went 2-for-3 with a solo home run in Sunday's win over the Cubs.
The rookie got a rare start with Travis Jankowski sitting against a southpaw. Hunter Renfroe has benefited most from Wil Myers' (foot) placement on the disabled list, so Reyes figures to serve a fourth-outfielder role for the time being. The 22-year-old has flashed plus power in a limited role (seven homers over 114 plate appearances), so he could gain fantasy value down the stretch if a spot in the outfield opens up.
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Bryce Harper 1B | PHI
Nationals' Bryce Harper: Records multi-hit day
Harper went 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI in Sunday's win over the Reds.
Harper delivered an RBI double in the third inning to extend Washington's lead to two. He managed to make a significant impact after it was unclear whether he'd take the field in the series finale. Harper was struck by a pitch on the knee Saturday, but he recorded his 68th RBI of the season the following day, and he should be good to go moving forward, especially with a scheduled off-day Monday.