MLB Player News

Ozuna went 3-for-4 with a walk, a double, a run scored and an RBI in Thursday's win over the Phillies.

The Marlins' outfield trio of Ozuna, Giancarlo Stanton and Christian Yelich combined for eight hits (including two doubles and two homers), three RBI and six runs in a 9-8 victory. Stanton has been the engine of the offense as the team makes a late push for a wild-card spot, but Ozuna's been doing his part as well with a .316/.411/.539 slash line, five home runs and 17 RBI through 21 games in August.

Stanton went 2-for-5 with a solo home run and a second run scored in Thursday's win over the Phillies.

He just refuses to slow down. Stanton's now slashing .345/.433/.893 with 14 homers and 27 RBI through 22 games in August, and his 47 blasts on the season is the most by an NL player before September since Ryan Howard swatted 49 in 2006.

Cespedes went 2-for-3 with two walks, a double and a solo home run in Thursday's loss to the Diamondbacks.

He now has four multi-hit performances in his last five games, pushing Cespedes' slash line in August to .325/.404/.662 with seven homers, 14 runs and 15 RBI through 22 games. He's basically the last man standing in the Mets' outfield at this point, so even if he stays hot through the end of the season, the slugger's counting stats could suffer given the lack of support around him in the lineup.

Torrens got the nod behind the dish and went 0-for-3 in Thursday's win over the Cardinals.

It was the 21-year-old's first start since Aug. 13 and just his third start this month. The Padres are carrying three catchers and Torrens represents their worst offensive option (.171/.240/.216 in 124 plate appearances). The club is simply protecting the Rule 5 draft pick from being exposed on waivers, but fantasy owners shouldn't be burdened with the same responsibility.

Carpenter (illness) is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Padres.

Carpenter will miss his second consecutive game while recovering from an illness. He should be considered day-to-day for Friday's series opener against Tampa Bay. In his place, Jedd Gyorko draws another start at first.

McCutchen went 0-for-3 against the Dodgers on Wednesday.

He's hitting just .213/.288/.277 with no homers and three RBI in his last 13 games (covering 52 plate appearances). McCutchen couldn't be expected to keep up his pace from June and July, but his swing looks a little tired right now. He's 2-for-9 with a homer and two RBI in his career against lefty Hyun-Jin Ryu, Thursday's starter.

Blackmon went 3-for-5 with a solo homer in Wednesday's 6-4 loss to the Royals.

Blackmon came in hitting just .281 on the road, but bucked that trend with a three-hit effort here. His third-inning long ball gave the leadoff man sole possession of the team lead just two frames after Nolan Arenado tied him at 29. On a negative note, he was also picked off second base in this one.

Manager Mike Matheny said Carpenter is out of Wednesday's lineup against the Padres due to an illness, Jim Hayes of FOX Sports Midwest reports.

Carpenter was sent home before the game, so he won't even be available off the bench. The Cardinals will likely wait and see how he's feeling Thursday before deciding on his status for the series finale. Jedd Gyorko is starting at first base in his stead.

Cespedes is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Diamondbacks.

Cespedes has been hot at the plate recently -- collecting eight hits over his last three contests -- but he'll get the day off after starting 20 of New York's first 21 games in August. The Mets will send out an outfield trio of Brandon Nimmo, Michael Conforto and Juan Lagares in his absence.

Carpenter is out of the lineup Wednesday against the Padres.

Since the beginning of August, Carpenter has posted a bleak .197 batting average. However, he's still been finding ways to get on base, as he's put together a .384 on-base percentage in that time. He'll get the night off while Jedd Gyorko covers first base.