MLB Player News

Manager Terry Collins said Cespedes "felt something in his hip" which caused him to exit Saturday's contest, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

It appears a new ailment has popped up in what has already been an injury-filled season for the 31-year-old outfielder. Cespedes was forced to leave Saturday's win over the Rockies after making an awkward attempt at a diving catch and, although he was able to walk off under his own power, will be re-evaluated Sunday. Curtis Granderson would likely be in line for a starting role if the injury proves extensive.

Cespedes exited Saturday's game against the Rockies in the sixth inning after attempting to dive for a flyball in left field, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

Cespedes, who has already missed extensive time this season due to leg injuries, attempted an awkward-looking dive on a Nolan Arenado liner, prompting an immediate exit. Expect more information to be released in due time regarding the severity, though it is worth noting the slugger was able to walk off under his own power. Michael Conforto moved over to take his spot in left and Curtis Granderson was inserted as the new center fielder.

Pederson batted sixth and went 2-for-4 with a double and a pair of runs scored in Friday's 6-4 win over the Marlins.

A long layoff due to the All-Star Game didn't cool off the young slugger's bat, as Friday's performance boosted his slash line to .315/.438/.699 with seven home runs in the 25 games since returning from the disabled list June 13. He is unlikely to keep that pace going throughout the entire second half of the season, but Pederson does provide cheap pop while batting in a dangerous lineup.

Cespedes went 4-for-6 with a double, a run scored and an RBI in Friday's 14-2 rout of the Rockies.

It's his first multi-hit performance since June 23, and Cespedes went just 6-for-45 (.133) with no extra-base hits or RBI in the 11 games between those offensive outbursts. The rest he got over the All-Star break may have been exactly what the 31-year-old needed to get back into a groove at the plate.

Harper went 2-for-4 with a walk, two home runs, three runs scored and three RBI in Friday's 5-0 win over the Reds.

He's got 22 homers, 68 RBI and 72 runs to go along with his 1.042 OPS on the season, and the All-Star break did little to cool Harper down -- he's now hitting .441 (15-for-34) in July with an absurd 7:3 BB:K in nine games.

Belt went 2-for-4 with a double, a walk and a pair of runs scored in Sunday's extra-inning loss to the Marlins.

The veteran first baseman is carrying a modest six-game hitting streak heading into the All-Star break. Belt's .243 batting average leaves much to be desired, but he has maintained his excellent on-base skills while contributing 16 home runs, which puts him well on pace to break his career-high mark of 18 he set in 2015.

Turner hit two home runs Sunday, powering his team to a 5-2 win over Kansas City.

Turner played co-hero with Clayton Kershaw in this one, as Kershaw backed up Turner's pair of bombs with a 13-strikeout, complete-game victory. The third baseman had a whale of a first half, finishing with a ridiculous .377 average and 1.056 OPS over 228 at-bats. That said, despite Turner's amazing contact numbers, he's provided just 37 RBI and 10 homers, which has prevented him from joining the truly elite fantasy producers.

Stanton went 3-for-4 with two solo home runs and four runs scored during Sunday's win over the Giants.

The slugger enters the All-Star break with a .277/.360/.572 slash line, 26 bombs, 58 RBI and 60 runs. Most importantly, of course, is that Stanton is also healthy. Barring injury, he should cruise to career-best numbers across the board.

Pederson is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Royals, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

With the left-handed Danny Duffy toeing the rubber for the Royals, Pederson will find himself stationed on the bench for the final game of the season's first half despite homering Saturday. Trayce Thompson will draw the start in his stead, batting eighth.

Harper will bat second in the order for Saturday's contest against the Braves, Chelsea Janes of the Washington Post reports.

Harper moves up a spot in the batting order to bat second for the second time in the past month. With Michael Taylor (oblique) landing on the disabled list prior to Friday's game, there isn't a clear-cut answer for who manager Dusty Baker should stick into the two spot, so he will give Harper the opportunity while Ryan Zimmerman, Daniel Murphy and Anthony Rendon each move up a spot to go 3-4-5 in the order.