MLB Player News

Belt went 2-for-4 with a double, a run and two RBI in an 8-2 win over the Cardinals on Friday.

Belt contributed a two-run double during San Francisco's six-run third inning, increasing his RBI total to 74. The first baseman hasn't hit for much power lately, with just one home run over his last 29 games, but he's posting the best OPS (.853) of his career thanks to a career-high 93 walks and .390 on-base percentage. More importantly, he's on track to set a career high in games after missing considerable time with concussions the last two seasons.

Soler was forced to leave Friday's game against Milwaukee with right side tightness, Carrie Muskat of MLB.com reports.

The injury descriptor is so vague that it's hard to say how long Soler will be out, if he misses any games at all. The Cubs have already clinched the National League Central, so they'll be able to play it safe with him down the stretch. Side tightness could mean something like an oblique injury, which could force him to miss most of the rest of the season with just a couple weeks left. Consider him day-to-day until we hear more.

Stanton (groin) is back in the lineup batting second and playing right field in Friday's game against the Phillies, Clark Spencer off the Miami Herald reports.

When Stanton originally suffered the groin injury it looked as if he might be out for the season, but after making five pinch-hit appearances over the past week, he's finally ready to give it a go in the outfield. It remains to be seen if he's ready to play multiple days in a row, but with the Marlins hanging on for dear life in the wild-card race, Stanton will try and give Miami whatever he has in the tank.

McCutchen went 3-for-5 with two home runs and three RBI while crossing the plate three times in Thursday's 15-2 shelling of Philadelphia.

McCutchen's two solo shots increased his season home run total to 23, matching last year's output. He still sits 30 RBI short of last season's total of 96 though, and his .250 average is more than 40 points lower than where it finished a year ago. The 29-year-old, now in his eighth MLB campaign, has also struck out 133 times this season, matching the career-high mark he set last year (in 29 fewer at-bats).

Soler went 1-for-4 with a two-run homer in Thursday's 5-4 loss to the Brewers.

Soler broke a scoreless tie with his second-inning blast off Jimmy Nelson, but Chicago was unable to hold its early lead and ended up losing by one. Soler didn't have much success at the plate after that, either, striking out twice in three plate apperances. While talented, the 24-year-old is still raw and has yet to harness the potential he showed during his 2014 debut, when he slashed .292/.330/.573 in 24 games as a late-season callup. He also hasn't been helped by a crowded Cubs outfield that's prevented him from playing every day.

Ozuna powered the Marlins to victory Wednesday against the Braves, driving in four runs while going 2-for-4 with a three-run home run on the evening.

The blast was his 23rd of the season as Ozuna continues to thrive in the middle of the Marlins order. He's posted a .270/.324/.470 slash line over 508 at-bats with 72 RBI and 69 runs scored.

Blackmon went 3-for-5 with a homer and two runs in Wednesday's road loss to Arizona.

Blackmon's now homered four times in the last six games and cleared 100 runs for the first time in his career. The key to this bust-out season has been his stunning production away from Coors Field -- Blackmon actually has significantly better power numbers on the road (17 homers) than at home (10), and he's hit for average all over the place. He should keep piling up numbers the rest of the way.

Stanton (groin) could rejoin the lineup as soon Friday against the Phillies.

When the injury initially occurred, it was believed that Stanton could be done for the season. He's instead made a number of pinch-hit appearances over the past week and may be ready to return to the field soon. A recent 5-2 run has put the Marlins back on the fringe of playoff contention, and the return of their superstar slugger could give the team and fantasy owners the power push needed to close out the regular season. Expect more information on Stanton's status as Friday's series opener against Philadelphia approaches.

McCutchen went 2-for-4 with a solo homer in a 6-2 loss at the hands of the Phillies.

The homer was McCutchen's 21st of the season, and broke a 2-for-20 slump over his previous seven games. It's been a disappointing season for McCutchen, who is just three years removed from an MVP season, and failed to be named an All-Star this year for the first time since 2010. He's hitting just .247 after hitting .314 and .292 in 2014 and 2015 respectively.

Turner came up big Wednesday, going 2-for-3 with a double, a walk, an RBI and a run in a 2-0 win over the Yankees.

Turner's double came in a 0-0 game in the ninth against Yankees closer Dellin Betances, and drove in teammate Corey Seager for the go-ahead run. Turner later scored on a throwing error by Betances, giving Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen an insurance run that he didn't end up needing. It was Turner's 30th double of the season, and brought his batting line to .270/.338/.502.