MLB Player News

Belt (illness) is back in the lineup Wednesday, hitting sixth against the Padres, the San Jose Mercury News' Andrew Baggarly reports.

He missed one game with the illness but will reassume his typical spot in the six-hole Wednesday. Belt is hitting .238 with a 30.1 percent K-rate since Aug. 1, but he has also chipped in four home runs, 23 RBI and 17 runs over that span.

Blackmon homered, scored twice and walked in a 1-for-3 game Tuesday against the Diamondbacks.

Blackmon is raking in September, with three home runs in just eight games this month to fuel a .296/.406/.704 batting line. He has already driven in seven runs this month, and perhaps most impressive, all three of his home runs have come away from Coors Field. He continues to improve his career high in home runs, now up to 26 compared to 19 in 154 games in 2014.

Belt is out of the lineup Tuesday due to illness, CSN Bay Area reports.

Manager Bruce Bochy said Belt is "pretty sick," so it's seems possible the 28-year-old will be held out of Wednesday's series finale as well. Buster Posey is starting at first base Tuesday with Trevor Brown filling in behind the plate.

Carpenter (back) was a late addition to Tuesday's lineup.

There were reports that Carpenter was doing much better and could even come off the bench later in the game, but it seems as if manager Mike Matheny felt so confident in his health that he slotted the infielder back into the starting lineup. He'll take over for Greg Garcia as the leadoff hitter and second baseman.

Carpenter (back) is out of the lineup Tuesday against the Cubs.

Although Carpenter will be forced to sit after leaving Monday's game with back tightness, he told Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com that he's feeling "good" and will be available off the bench Tuesday. The Cardinals are facing a lefty on Wednesday (Jon Lester) and manager Mike Matheny could always opt to play it safe and hold Carpenter out once again, but it doesn't sound like Carpenter is in danger of missing extended time.

Pederson is not in the lineup Tuesday against the Yankees.

Pederson holds a measly .100 batting average against lefties on the season, so he'll head to the bench with left-hander CC Sabathia toeing the rubber for New York. Enrique Hernandez will take over in center field in his stead.

Ozuna (knee) is in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Braves, MLB.com's Joe Frisaro reports.

Ozuna was removed from Monday's game with a bruised knee, but he will be able to get back on the field just a day later. As he has done regularly of late when healthy, he will man right field and hit fifth in the Marlins' batting order.

McCutchen went 0-for-3 Monday and has one hit in his last 17 at-bats.

He's drawn seven walks in six games, but his batting improvement -- he posted an .851 OPS from Aug. 5 to Sept. 6 -- has waned in the last week. McCutchen's lackluster defense has also continued to haunt the former NL MVP, who will turn 30 years of age in October. He's under contract through next season with an option for 2018, but it wouldn't be surprising to see Pittsburgh look to move McCutchen either in the offseason or during the 2017 campaign.

Carpenter exited Monday's game against the Cubs in the seventh inning with tightness in his back, Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports.

Carpenter ultimately had three unsuccessful at-bats Monday, with two strikeouts, before Matt Adams came in as a replacement at first base. The severity of the injury remains unclear, but Adams and Brandon Moss seem to be the top candidates to fill in if Carpenter requires added time off the diamond.

Turner went 1-for-5 with a solo home run on Monday against the Yankees.

Turner has now homered in consecutive games, giving him 27 for the season. The third baseman got off to a sluggish start this season, but has settled down to post a .269 average to go with his home runs. The powers surge has been unexpected for Turner, who had just 31 career home runs coming into the season.