MLB Player News

Pederson was moved down to seventh in the batting order Wednesday and went 0-for-4 with a pair of strikeouts in a win over the Giants.

Manager Dave Roberts had been using his young outfielder as the team's leadoff hitter against righties, but he went with Chase Utley in place of the struggling Pederson on Wednesday. The 25-year-old has gone just 1-for-15 in his last four games, but it has been a struggle all season following his big Opening Day stat line. Pederson has never been much of a batting average help in fantasy, but with just one homer in 30 games, he isn't cutting it for fantasy owners in standard formats. He has, however, hit 51 combined long balls over his last two seasons, so we know there is more power contained in that bat and it may just be a matter of time before it shows.

McCutchen went 2-for-4 with two RBI, two steals and two runs against the Nationals on Wednesday.

This marks McCutchen's first multi-hit game since April 28, as it's been a tough season for the veteran. Still, there are positive signs to be found here. His power hasn't entirely abandoned him (.179 ISO)and his .225 BABIP is primed for improvement, considering that McCutchen has actually cut his strikeout rate while still generally hitting the ball well. There's an intriguing buy-low opportunity here.

Turner went 2-for-3 with a double and two runs in San Francisco on Wednesday.

Although we're still waiting for Turner's power stroke to show up -- he has just one homer this year after socking a career-best 27 last season -- he's swinging a hot bat nonetheless, as evidenced by his .372 batting average, which ranks fourth in baseball. The counting stats haven't exactly come along as you'd like (17 RBI and 17 runs), but if Turner keeps hitting with something resembling this level of consistency, that discrepancy will be corrected in due time.

Belt is not in the lineup Wednesday against the Dodgers, John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Lefty Clayton Kershaw is taking the mound for Los Angeles, so manager Bruce Bochy opted to stack his lineup with right-handed hitters. Belt will cede Wednesday's start at first base to Mike Morse.

Harper went 2-for-4 with a walk, a home run, two runs scored and two RBI in Tuesday's win over the Pirates.

PNC Park was the last remaining National League park Harper had never homered in coming into this series, but the 24-year-old scratched it off his list with a no-doubt blast off Wade LeBlanc in the ninth inning, his 13th long ball of the season and fourth in the last seven games.

Blackmon went 3-for-5 with a home run and three RBI in Tuesday's 7-3 win over the Twins.

His two-run blast, Blackmon's ninth homer of the season, capped a four-run sixth inning that blew open the game. The 30-year-old is putting up the best power numbers of his career so far to fuel a career-high .979 OPS, but fantasy GMs hoping for another five-category performance from him might be disappointed by his 2-for-4 showing on stolen base attempts through 39 games.

Belt continued his recent power surge Tuesday, going 2-for-4 with a solo home run in a 2-1 win over the Dodgers.

The veteran first baseman broke out of his power drought in a big way this week, smacking four dingers over his last six contests. Even with his patient approach at the plate, Belt has a tendency to be a streaky hitter in the power department, so owners should enjoy the ride while it lasts. It is worth noting that he is scheduled to receive a day off Wednesday against Clayton Kershaw, so those in daily leagues should deploy a backup plan at first base.

Assistant general manager John Ricco reported Tuesday that Cespedes (hamstring) could possibly return from the disabled list next Tuesday, May 23, Matt Ehalt of the Bergen Record reports.

Cespedes's condition has been steadily improving since being placed on the disabled list in late-April. He began a five-day running program Tuesday and has been taking at-bats during extended spring training over the past few days. If he's able to advance through the week with no setbacks, the star left fielder could return to action as soon as early next week.

Manager Bruce Bochy announced Tuesday that Belt will not be in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Dodgers, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Belt is hitting just .059 (3-for-51) during his career against Wednesday's starter Clayton Kershaw, so Bochy has opted to give the veteran first baseman the day off. Belt should be well-rested and ready to return to the lineup Friday against the Cardinals.

Colon was claimed off waivers by the Marlins on Tuesday, Andre Fernandez of the Miami Herald reports.

Colon was designated for assignment after putting up an underwhelming performance in limited playing time in Kansas City, but his major-league experience ultimately was enough to warrant interest from Miami. With the Marlins plagued by several injuries to their infielders, it wouldn't be surprising to see the former first-rounder spend quite a bit of time in the majors. To make room for him on the 40-man roster, Steve Lombardozzi was designated for assignment.