MLB Player News

Stanton went 2-for-3 with a walk and a pair of two-run home runs in Wednesday's 5-4 loss to the Braves.

The long balls were his first of the season, but it was only a matter of time before Stanton began putting souvenirs in the seats. The right fielder is now slashing .290/.371/.517 through eight games, and given his track record, Wednesday's outburst could be the beginning of a homer barrage.

Manager Dave Roberts said he expects to have Turner (quadriceps) back in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Cubs, David Vassegh of 570 LA Sports reports.

Turner is reportedly feeling much better, and should even be available off the bench Wednesday should the Dodgers need a pinch hitter. The 32-year-old is 10-for-28 with five doubles and a stolen base through seven games this year. He'll reclaim his spot at the hot corner once he's able to return.

Turner (quad) is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Cubs, Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register reports.

Despite benefiting from the Dodgers being off the schedule Tuesday, Turner wasn't able to get over the quad injury in time to enter the lineup for the second game of the team's series with the Cubs. The Dodgers haven't indicated that a stint on the disabled list is imminent for Turner, but his absence Wednesday will nonetheless open up a start at second base for Chase Utley, while Logan Forsythe moves over to cover third base for Turner.

Carpenter is back in the starting lineup Wednesday against the Nationals, batting third and playing first base, Jim Hayes of Fox Sports Midwest reports.

Carpenter missed Tuesday's game after experiencing back tightness, but it appears he's good to go after a day of rest. The lefty is off to a tough start this year with a .208 average through eight games, and it may not get much easier with Max Scherzer toeing the rubber for Washington on Wednesday.

Harper went 1-for-2 with three walks, a double and two runs scored in Tuesday's win over the Cardinals.

It's easy to understand the Cards' reluctance to give him a chance to hurt them, as Harper has started off 2017 by slashing .393/.541/.679 through eight games to go along with two homers, eight RBI and nine runs scored. With Daniel Murphy and Ryan Zimmerman just as hot behind him in the Nats batting order, though, teams may find they have little choice but to give the 2015 NL MVP some hittable pitches.

Ozuna went 2-for-2 with two home runs, six RBI and a walk during Tuesday's 8-4 win over the Braves.

Ozuna plated a run with a sacrifice fly in the first inning before launching a three-run homer to right in the third and a two-run job to left in the fifth. The 26-year-old entered the game batting a robust .375 and upped that to .423 to go along with a Major League-leading 12 RBI after this monster performance.

Cespedes went 4-for-6 with three homers and five RBI in Tuesday's 14-4 drubbing of the Phillies.

After hitting just .154 through the season's first seven games, Cespedes apparently woke up a new man Tuesday. He absolutely went off on the Phillies, homering in his first three at-bats on a day that ultimately saw the Mets go yard seven times. Another season of 30-plus homers with solid average and strong counting stats appears to be in the works.

Carpenter, who is out of the lineup Tuesday, experienced back tightness Monday night, Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports.

Apparently, the back issue is not the sole cause of Carpenter's absence Tuesday. Manager Mike Matheny said Carpenter's 2-for-16 career record against lefty Gio Gonzalez, Tuesday's starter for the Nationals, factored into the decision to hold Carpenter out. The 31-year-old also dealt with back trouble throughout the spring, but he should be considered merely day-to-day for now.

Carpenter is not in the lineup Tuesday against the Nationals.

Carpenter has gotten off to a sluggish start at the plate (5-for-24 with one RBI), so he'll head to the bench for what looks like a day of rest with lefty Gio Gonzalez hurling for Washington. Jose Martinez will man first base in his stead.

Turner left Monday's game against the Cubs with a quad injury, ESPN.com's Doug Padilla reports.

Turner was hit by a pitch in the top of the eighth inning, and while he initially stayed in the game to run the bases, he was then removed before the bottom half of the frame. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts doesn't believe the injury is serious, and he said Turner will be re-evaluated Tuesday. Any missed time would open up at-bats for Chase Utley and/or Enrique Hernandez.